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eamo

Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.
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Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 1:19 am Post subject: |
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It was gratifying to see that you mentioned the single biggest problem of the Korean character in relation to anything foreign....
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| What I want to say to Koreans is that Westerners long for Koreans to stop being afraid of us. We are not ``bad���� just because we are foreign. However difficult Koreans and foreigners getting along might be, our time to get to know each other is valuable. |
This is my only surviving complaint about Korea after 4 years here.
Koreans just seem to think we are so different. So much different that a Korean finds it very difficult to have a natural, unforced relationship where they don't keep on seeing you as a foreigner and begin to accept you as another person. |
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TECO

Joined: 20 Jan 2003
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Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 2:06 am Post subject: |
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| I just posted this article - from the Korean Times. |
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Ya-ta Boy
Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994
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Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2005 9:21 am Post subject: |
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I think the majority of North Americans are generally much more favorably disposed to someone who speaks English with a British accent. It could only help one's career and prospects.
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Interesting. You obviously come from a different neighborhood than mine.
A young woman I know married a guy, went to England for 2 years and picked up the accent. She came back and was slammed up one side and down the other for sounding snooty and pretentious. She quickly gave up the accent. |
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jajdude
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
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Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2005 1:06 pm Post subject: |
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I didn't see Mr. Lee's writing but the reply was interesting.
"Westerners don't pay enough attention to other cultures.... "
true sometimes
"Westerners are not interested in learning Korean and communicating in Korean with the local people...."
also true sometimes
And Koreans are different, how?
And Koreans are more open to foreigners? Are westerners shutting out foreigners as much?
Which society is more closed? Korean, American, or other western country?
Japan seems somewhat closed. Taiwan a little. Korea a lot. Thailand not so much. Vietnam not so much. China perhaps is as closed as Korea. I don't know where else the door is so closed.
i find it interesting to hear comments from koreans about how insular or close-minded other cultures seem to them.
This is coming from the blueprint society of the closed. |
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