Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ucfvgirl]

I can't understand why people can't move out of the way when they see you coming; they expect you to move. (Koreans vs White) I get so pissed when I am always the one to move. I have actually tried to stop doing it...however, I don't want to get RUN over by them because they refuse to move. In stores, I have actually started ploughing through people as the Koreans do. I don't care anymore.

As for the subway, what makes me the most angry is when 'older' people think it's the GOD GIVEN RIGHT to push their way to the front of the line to make sure they get a seat in the 'old peoples' section'. I am so tired of trying to get off the train and being face to face with an older Korean, usually a woman, who won't move out of my way so I can get off of the train. It's called PATIENCE PEOPLE.

[ddeubel]

You should read Dostoevsky and possibly find there, the answer. He wrote a little story called, "the case of wet snow", or something such, been awhile and the exact title escapes me. About a guy who is forever moving aside from others as he walks along the boardwalk.....seek it out and maybe find your answer to this dilema. but Dostoevsky is always a little religious and difficult so be warned!!!!

I'd wear dark glasses a la Bob Dylan and just pretend to be rather above it all....they should move aside..

DD

[ratslash]

you can either fight it or you can roll with it. trust me, it is easier to roll with it. if you want a peaceful life while you are here you be the one doing the sidestepping! you can't change them on your own!

[kermo]

It's not their fault. Korean people have subatomic particles that move at a different rate than ours. This allows them to actually pass through objects that we normally consider solid. Though they may appear to be jostling or shoving, it's just an illusion. They're just as alarmed as you are when they try to walk through you and find you are a big lumpy solid mass.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

A strategically placed, large back-pack can work wonders when it comes to 'accidentally' bumping people who won't move out of the way or who need to be body-checked when trying to barge past you.

[Ya-ta Boy]

Welcome to the world of culture shock. You mentioned on another post that you've had 3 colds since you arrived, you have started a new job, changed diet, country and home. Winter has started with a bang and it's colder than crap outside. You are (presumably) teaching.

Is it any surprise that you are under a whole world of stress and showing a reaction to it?

The key symptom of culture shock is an overblown reaction to a minor irritant. For most people, it shows up after a couple of months, when the honeymoon wears off and the routine of daily life sets in.

It doesn't need to be fatal.

Some things you can do about it:
a) Get plenty of sleep.
b) Make sure you are eating right.
c) Get some physical exercise.
d) Try to do some relaxing things on the weekend.
e) Use whatever constructive stress management techniques that work for you.

Good luck.

[rapier]

Its all about status here.
1)Younger move out the way for older.
2) Singles move out the way of twos, or groups.
3) Foreigners are expected to move out the way of Koreans. Subconsciously they just think its their country, so they have right of way. Its absurd but so far hey haven't really had to make any concessions to foreigners here. And they've rigged their society so they never have to. This translates into a multitude of minor manifestations, including them expecting you to give way.

There are exceptions though:

1) Korean woman will give way to foreign man. (male dominance).
2) Person looking where they're going will give way to person not looking where they're walking (head down, reading a book, in conversation, on cellphone etc.).

They don't have our idea of equality here. So not all people have equal right on the pavement, same on the roads. Its heirarchical. so if you want to go about ramming everyone out your way, you will get no protest from anyone younger than you, and so on. But you will get it from elders and other supposedly superior people. If they can overcome their fear/embarrassment of foreigners, that is.

[Cheonmunka]

Give a little shove now and then, will make you feel better. You are human too. Concede some, relent some, push a little. I make a point of doing pushing a little, too, on the way home. It's no big deal, nobody intends to fray your nerves.
It can give you stomach ulcers if you let it pressure you. Pls don't let it. It's just the way things will be. I don't believe it's anything to do with being white or black or olive. A gentle nudging feeling in the back or a quick sidestep you take is not because of your color.
There's F-all room around, and people wanna get around without delays to themselves, that's why.

[mithridates]

Here's what you used to have to do when you saw your dad on the street here:



That little guy with the long hair is a guy, by the way.

[Cheonmunka]

PS: The other night I tried a different approach and started you know like use your hand to smooth the way as you push aside. I had my hand up kind of like excuse me like but a young lass moved out of the way for me and into me and I was too slow so hand brushed her body. Gave me a cringe realising my hand was touching her, rather, wouldn't it have been better (in social respects) the point of my umbrella or my elbow?.

[riley]

ucfvgirl, like someone else said, it sounds like you have a major case of culture shock. I'm sure it's partly because of hitting the 3 month mark and also the impending holidays. As much as you can, try to relax and find some form of hobby. I hope you can get through it.

[Homer]

Ya ta hit the nail on the head...the OP has culture shock and is over reacting (my opinion here).

It happens to most newbies in Korea.

OP I think you should carefully read Ya ta's post and follow that advice.

[Tiny_Tibbo]

what I still don't understand is how I get side swiped hard by a slow moving woman in an area where there is NOTHING around me.....makes me wonder why we don't see them banging into corners and poles.......

[VanIslander]

[weatherman]

a lot of good comments up above, but what about just plain old 'spatially challenged'