Korean Job Discussion Forums

[seoulmon]

What I learned about KOREA on my trip to JAPAN. Part I

I've been to Japan three times, the most recent being last week. Although it is difficult to generalize about Korea to Japan, there are some things that stand in contrast. It is quite possible I may be reading too much into my Japanese experiences. Perhaps it is possible to explain away my observations as a lack of experience. Yet some of the contrasts between Korea and Japan are hard to ignore.

One of the biggest differences is between the Korean ������s and the Japanese ������s.

What is the deal with Korean ������s. Why are they so socially inept? Does any one else see this too? I don't mean to be hard on them. I'm socially adept at times too but sometimes I just I just shake my head in disbelief. Like today, I was trying to wash my hands and the ������ in front of me was taking a long time. So I peeked over, and there he was washing his feet.

Yesterday, I went to my class in YBM ( a reputable institute) and there was the ������ guard at his station shaving with his electric razor. I guess I don't really mind, but really!

Another time I saw this ������ out in front of the local mall called the Dream Palace. He rolled up a newspaper and twizled the end and used it to pick a booger out of the back of his nose. I just shook my head. If I did this, it would be my deepest darkest secret. So why does he do it out in the middle of a busy street?

In cotrast Japanese ������s don't really stand out. Maybe if I spent more time in Japan I would have a different opinion. Possible true. But on my trip I met two Japanese ������ and had really cool conversations with them. One was a piano professor and he took me home and we listened to some classical CDs. He later showed me his garden and gave me a present of New Zealand cholates.

Another guy was teaching Japanese. Real friendly, patient. What a different experience to Korea. (!!!)

[PolyChronic Time Girl]

Now I only went to Japan once, so at the risk of generalizing and being flamed, I did notice a huge difference with the ajeoshis too. For one, I was not sexually harrassed in Japan, like I am on a daily basis with Korean ajeoshis. In Japan I was really ignored (which I welcomed the change). No Japanese men even blinked an eye at me. Well, maybe that's because I'm not blonde...I think Japanese men like blondes. Walking in Korea is reallly sometimes an obstacle course because of all the leering, dirty ajeoshis who make sexually explicit remarks. I didn't notice this in Japan. But maybe in Japan it's more subtle?

[Jake E. Lee]

My two cents...those ajosshi types don't give a *beep* about strangers. Those ajosshi types will never behave the way they do if they were in front of his peers (unless there is not a single decent person in the group). Showing respect to strangers and people of different backgrounds is the hallmark of a just and free culture. IMHO both Korea and Japan have some ways to go before they "get it". But it's obvious the Japanese are getting there sooner. Don't expect Korean ajosshis to change very soon. They carry shitloads of resentment and pent up anger from their military and repressed backgrounds to fully enjoy life.

[harri2002]

perhaps, it has to do with social class too. if you met a piano professor in korea, i think he would have been like the "civilized" sort you saw in japan. but yes, there are ajoessis in korea who urinate in public wearing expensive suits too. i guess you wouldn't see that in japan or anywhere else.

[taobenli]

You see guys wearing fairly nice suits urinating in public in China, too. Just something you do, I guess. And while I never saw anyone whip it out in nicer areas of Beijing or Shanghai, the ordinary neighborhoods were full of guys peeing, day and night (some younger guys, too).

I feel quite differently about Japan. The ajosshi there are less blatant about sexual harrassment and gross public behavior, but it still happens. The Japanese ajosshi in the school I worked in picked their noses in public all the time. And there was a restaurant right down the street from me- an unagi (eel) restaurant, where I would regularly see the ajosshi owner taking a piss right outside the front door. Needless to say, I never ate there!

[Ya-ta Boy]

Didn't I see a short newspaper piece the other day about some Japanese subways being segregated by gender in an attempt to stop the groping?

I don't mean to be harsh, but if a 'trip to Japan' means a one or two day visa run, that means the OP has spent about 6 days in Japan. Suppose someone sat down at your table and said, "Hey, dude. I've been here 6 days. Let me share my observations of Korean culture with you." What would your reaction be?

[Wrench]

Well I met a Prof thats a chef and you would think thing eating with your mouth open, belching, scratching and washing your hands would be important. Nope none are. Takes a bit geting used to but he is still apretty nie guy.

[billybrobby]

[mindmetoo]

I like the men here who just puke in the subway, the subway car, the street, and move along like it was nothing more than a lil sneeze.

[Homer]

Ya gotta love comparisons like these!

I live in one place and briefly visited another...now..lets compare...!

[Leslie Cheswyck]

I stopped reading at booger.

[funplanet]

Comparing Seoul and Tokyo, the Japanese definately have more class and social graces but if you go out into the boonies it's not much different...though, generally, the J's are friendlier towards foreigners (perhaps better at masking their xenophobic/racist attitudes)

[Ya-ta Boy]

[chiaa]

"...there are ajoessis in korea who urinate in public wearing expensive suits too."

Expensive suits

[Babayaga]

I have my own experience to add,although with a different twist!

When I went to Fukuoka for a visa run with my co-workers,our dumb employer didn't give us Japanese money! Imagine our shock when we arrived there and discovered that in Fukuoka they don't do currency exchange,the nearest place to do that being Tokyo---and us not having Japanese money to go there! Luckily,some of us had Korean bank cards with "Cyrrhus" on them or credit cards,so we could withdraw money in Japanese currency. My room-mate had neither and ended up feeling stupid not being able to buy anything,while having all that money on her!


On my 2nd visa run to Osaka,I found out that the hotel wasn't reserved as promised. My boss's supervisor took his money to pay for a hotel in Japan and then lied to him that he had actually reserved the hotel room! I didn't find out until I was in Osaka! Luckily,I ran into a very nice Fench guy who told me about a capsule hotel and luckily I had some money on me to go there. I seriously thought I would be murdered that night,when I couldn't find affordable accomodation!


On the whole,I found the Japanese warmer,more easy--going and more sensitive. I didn't see any evidence of them dissembling! Wish I were younger and emplyable THERE!