Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Qinella]

When I came here back in March, I was bowing like a damned fool. I bowed to ajummas that I passed on the street, I bowed to every freakin old person I saw, I bowed when I entered and left any establishment... eeeverywhere. It took me a few weeks to realize that was excessive, and I trimmed it down to just bowing as a return-bow, when someone else does it to me. That lasted up until about six weeks ago, when I quit bowing almost completely.

I've realized that, as a foreigner, I can skirt practically every social custom here, and also that I probably look stupid doing it. The last thing I want is to look stupid.

So now, the only times I bow are when a person to whom I should defer, such as an elder, bows and I must return the gesture. Besides that, I just smile and wave, and usually salute in English since I could say, "blah blah blah" when leaving and everyone will understand the general idea.

So, do you bow? Did you stop? Why? Why not? Etc. I'm hoping to somehow either tie this thread into Japanese hatred or satan worshipers for Jesus, so if you can go on one of those angles, please do.

Q.

[JacktheCat]

[Grotto]

I usually follow the lead of any Koreans I am with. I do more of a nod to be specific but it hasnt seemed to offend anyone so thats what I do.

[ajuma]

Funny story: I was recently in the States (still have jet-lag...reason for this hour of posting!) and I was in a supermarket with my Mom. We ran into someone that she knew. She introduced me to him. I BOWED and said "Nice to meet you."

Me thinks I've been here FAR too long!

[itaewonguy]

Ill bow to someone when I feel they have deserved one!

[the_beaver]

[djsmnc]

I usually just make a face like:



and do a little right side head spasm like

" 'sup fool "

[Homer]

Come on now...what idiot voted never?



All jokes aside, bowing is just a simple form of courtesy. It is to be used with common sense.

[periwinkle]

[kangnam mafioso]

i agree with an earlier poster -- it's more of a head nod than a bow. i never got too serious with it unless it was a very formal ocassion.

[babtangee]

[Qinella]

When in Rome, yes, that's why I bowed initially. But I've come to feel really self-conscious when I do it, like maybe I'm not doing it right, or the stranger thinks it's funny to see a white guy doing it. Like, you know how ridiculous the ajosshis look when they give the big thumbs up and spasmadically vascillate their hand up and down? That's kinda how I imagine I probably look to them when I bow.

Dunnae.

[ilovebdt]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Teaching high school in a small town I bow a lot more than when I first arrived. I bow to other staff when I greet them in the morning and when I leave. I begin lessons with the students and me bowing to each other. I bow to just about everyone I recognise on the street. I bow to the gym manager and shop owners when I leave. Most teachers don't bow back to the students but I prefer the idea of mutual respect and at least return a small nod.

Interesting - as I was writing this a teacher just arrived at the staff room and a girl sitting by the heater waiting for someone just gave him a small nod but stood up to bow to me when I arrived.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

As an aside - at my old hogwan the wongja's wife was the official vice-wongjongnim but did nothing but strut around trying to feel important. I heard that she got really upset at one of the KTs for not saying goodbye and bowing to her before she left one day. She usually stood around by the door of the staff room, and after that I made a point of walking right past her like she didn't exist, bowing deeply to the secretary with a big 'anyongagaysayo", and leaving. Apparently it pissed her off to no end and made her hate my guts.