Korean Job Discussion Forums

Alyssa · Joined: 15 Jan 2006

I know I have not been here long, but I just have a question...........how do you handle rude people? Since I have been here I have had men (from 24-60) bother me EVERYWHERE I go. I mean EVERYWHERE! Tonight was the last straw, one man followed me, he was about 40 something, and he kept asking me my name, I just ignored him, but he kept trying to give me some kind of business card or something. Yesterday the same thing happened and one man touched my hair. Just curious, but what do you do when this happens? Most restaurants I walk into have men who just continue to look at me, and sometimes come over and try to get to know me. I dont want to just eat alone in my place each day Rolling Eyes

Big Mac · Joined: 17 Sep 2005

I wish the women in Korea were like that! I would not be complaining...unless they were old ajumas or something.

But I do understand that foreign women feel awkward by this sort of behaviour. I don't know why Korean men are so forward with foreign women. Perhaps it has something to do with their perceptions of white women from American movies. They believe they just want to have sex all the time or something.

TOGirl · Joined: 16 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

Well, when this used to happen to me I found that with the ones that just stare, if I said something to them they would be super shocked and stop looking at me maybe because they can't speak english.

As for the ones following you and touching your hair, if they are old men then this is a bit much and perhaps you need to learn some korean phrases like don't do that or go away or some swear words to get the message across.

While these men might think that white women just want sex like Big Mac said they might not be prepared for some white women assertiveness that says get away from me. Korean women are often submissive to this kind of behaviour (I think) so putting a Korean man in his place may send the message that they can't screw with you.

Good luck.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

key phrase

YA!! HAJIMA!!!

peppermint · Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 3:48 pm Post subject:

Seems like women fresh off the boat have more trouble than those that have been here a while, not sure why that is. Dressing a lot more conservatively than you might at home helps ( though it sucks)

A few useful phrases:

ya!(short and fast) gets attention and says you're a bit annoyed (you can use this one in the classroom too)

GA! ( short and fast) A slightly rude " go away!"
Byun tae pervert

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

You gotta display a bit of a don't f* with me attuide a bit around here. Don't smile out in public as that seems to attract those type of people. Dress conservatively. Mention you have a husband (even if you are single). Use your classroom death stare on them. Leave the situation. That will get rid of 90% of unwanted attention, use the Yah! or byeongtae if they won't leave you alone.

A lot of middle age men have only been in contact with white women through films, or hookers so as such have a very warped view of us (kind of like madame butterfly back in the west for asian chicks). I had one guy go for my boobs infront of a women I can only assume was his wife. But learn to be less 'friendly' looking.

chiaa · Joined: 23 Aug 2003

The two posts right before this are spot on. When I first came here strangers on the street would talk to me all the time. I have not had anyone on the street come up to me in years.

It all has to do with how you carry yourself and the look on your face.

If you are in a public place and some guy is bothering you, give him the once over and then just laugh. It will insult him enough that he should run away tail between his legs. Don't do this on a dark deserted street though Very Happy

Big_Bird · Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 8:18 pm Post subject:

Lemonade · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: South Korea

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

Are you blonde? Because if you are they might think you are a prostitute.

Big_Bird · Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:30 pm Post subject:

peppermint · Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 12:31 am Post subject:

Lately I've been getting Russian people ( both male and female) asking if I'm Russian, so I guess I've just got that look. There's a big difference between somone asking out of curiosity, and someone who thinks "Russian= prostitute"

UncleAlex · Joined: 04 Apr 2003

These cavemen who are harassing you are the biggest hypocrits among a
nation of them. They usually take offence and cast threatening looks at
foreign men who just look at a Korean woman because she's attractive;
yet we don't behave so bold as to touch their hair or any body part. If you
are an expert in akaido I suggest you snap a finger or dislocate a shoulder
the next time a caveman touches you. If you're a pacifist or have no skills
in self-defence then try carrying and opening one of those "jars that smell
like a sewer" to repel the accoster. But then it might not work on a Korean
man who must find that stench appetizing. It might even make him more
sexually aroused. Cool

pet lover · Joined: 02 Jan 2004 Location: not in Seoul

the guy who collects cardboard in my area is from Peru. he asked if I was Russian with such a hopeful look and was visiby crushed when i said no. was so fuuny that i smiled which was all the encouragement he needed to think he still had a chance. it takes so very liittle for just about any guy...it seems. gotta work more on my sour old biddy expression. Very Happy

Lemonade · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: South Korea