Korean Job Discussion Forums

[periwinkle]

I went home to central Wisconsin (rural midwest for those not familar with the cow country). I haven't been home for 3 years, and I was only home for 2 solid days (I wouldn't recommend this to anyone! I'm sick now, of course. I was trying to conserve my vacation days cuz I only get 2 weeks per year).

First, at customs, the passport official was SO NICE!! He asked me if I went to the University of Wisconsin at Madison (I wrote down a Madison address for my contact info.). I graduated from uni 10 years ago, so I was pretty happy he mistook me for a co-ed. Then he said, "Welcome home, Peri." I honestly haven't had a stranger say anything so nice to me in such a long time. He made my day. Don't get me wrong- Korean people compliment me, too!

Next, I called the car rental company, and the service was amazing- above and beyond. I miss really good service. Perhaps it's because the bus driver receives tips for helping with bags, but she was just as sweet as pie. Even the clerk was super helpful.

Heh, heh. Now for my driving. I haven't driven in 4 years or so, and I was fine, but I noticed my driving style has changed. I was CONSTANTLY checking my mirrors and my blind spot. I kept thinking cars would start edging into my lane or a motorcycle would come alongside me while I was turning, etc. I relaxed after awhile. Oh- it was really weird to drive through towns at 9 pm and not see a soul on the street. Like horror movie freaky (what happened to all the people??).

Then, while shopping, I was so startled by the clerk and mgr. at Eddie Bauer making casual conversation with me- they were so easygoing and nice, and I really enjoyed talking to them. I'm used to salespeople in Korea only talking about the clothes and sizes and then a gratuitous, "Oh- that looks nice on you" (even if it clearly doesn't). They complimented me, and they really meant it!!!

Another thing that impressed me was that I was at a restaurant, and the mgr. went from table to table asking people how they would rate the restaurant. I gave them a 7 out of 8, and I think he wanted me to elaborate, but I didn't feel comfortable making any criticisms: my mom, sister, and I had noticed the waitress was overly pushy ("Do you think you'll be interested in dessert?" is not a good question to ask when you are only a few bites into your dinner). But she was still in her teens, so I cut her some slack. Again, I really appreciate good service, and attempts to improve service.

BTW- all the "video" stores are now for DVD rentals. Apparently my VCR is obsolete.

Something that shocked me was that my co-worker asked me to pick up several tubes of Aveeno baby moisturizer (his twins have excema), and on Yahoo Korea shopping, the cream was 16,000 won!! I paid $3.89 for it back home!!!

As I was driving to Chicago early in the morning, I saw some wild turkeys alongside the road. That was cool.

My final cool experience was that the guy next to me on the flight (Fillipeno American) was really cool. He tried to help me, too (the flight attendants were messing with my bag and tore it- that's another thread in itself). Anyway, we were both trying to get the flight attendants attention (him in English, me in Korean) to no avail. The Koreans around us just stared at us. I think most Western people would've tried to help us get the flight attendants attention (I had baked pastries the night before and the f/a's were SHOVING my bag into a different bin and consequently ruined what I slaved away on for 3 hours the night before).

So there's my little story, and I've decided I need to get home more often. 3 years was too long to stay away. It made me remember who I am. BTW- please don't think I'm bashing Korean culture. Everyone's experience is different, and generally, I'm happy here. It's just nice to go home once in awhile. =)

[Tiger Beer]

Its always a strange and good feeling when you come back to the US and the immigration officer says 'welcome home' with such meaning behind it. I've always been taken back by that myself.

You'd think they'd have had people coming home all day everyday all year round.. and they wouldn't say it with such meaning and sincerity to it.. yet they routinely do.

I think they must be told to say it to a certain degree.. but that many really believe it. Its as if they had to leave the country for some reason.. they'd want someone to say it exactly that same way to them.

[mithridates]

Here's the 'welcome' I got on the way home in Canada the time before last:

"So, what were you doing in France?"
"I hurt my leg on a pilgrimage."

"So, wat exactly is...a pilgrimage?"
"It's like a religious walk."
"I notice you don't have all that much baggage. Why?"

"Because I was on a pilgrimage." (tempted to make little walking motions with my fingers to show him what you do on one of them as he seemed a bit dense)
"Oh. Okay then, you can go through."

Next was a couple from Belgium that only spoke French. Any chance that guy spoke French as well? Not a word.

[peony]

[bucheon bum]

last two times i've returned to the states, i've been questioned extensively. Fun stuff.

actually the people that checked my passport have always been nice; it was customs that caused me problems.

[peppermint]

Funny, I don't remember Canadian immigration people being particularly friendly on my return.

[JacktheCat]

Whenever I go through American immigration they always pull me aside for "further questions." Though I haven't got the body cavity search ... yet.

Probably has something to do with me being a single male, travelling on one-way tickets, and having very little baggage. As well as having travelled to countries on Americans bad list, like Cuba, Syria, and France.

[PolyChronic Time Girl]

At U.S immigration, they were also very friendly to me. They also asked me why I was away so long and when I told him I was an English teacher in South Korea, he seem just baffled. He said "wow, that's so amazing. Imagine the experiences you've had." I kind of had to laugh at that. Other immigration officials always ask "why South Korea?"

[bucheon bum]

[captain kirk]

A question for the OP. Did you pull a gun out of the glove compartment and shoot the turkeys? Having been in Korea awhile you probably thought about it, right? Having some of that good old disrespectin' wild animals Korean attitude going on and itchin' to pull the trigger on that legal firearm!

[canadian_in_korea]

[hellofaniceguy]

[The Great Toad]

[dogbert]

[kangnam mafioso]

3 years in the ROK and you go home for 2 days!??? WTF?!

Why wouldn't you just take a couple of weeks or a month between contracts to go home in style?