Korean Job Discussion Forums

[periwinkle]

I've read other posters remarks on this board that they have been shushed (or given dirty looks, etc.) for speaking English. I wonder why it's so irritating to some people. There's a lot of noise pollution in this country, and any given day on the subway, you'll have some loud, drunk people; people talking on their cells or audibly playing games on their cells, etc., etc.

Anyway, I was in a taxi with my co-workers, and we were having a normal conversation. The driver turned the radio up to drown us out, and gave us a hard time when we wanted to pay with a man won bill for the 3000 won ride (trust me, he had the change). Sure, maybe he was having a bad morning, but it's happened before, and as I watched the guy become more and more visibly upset, all I could blame it on was the use of English (and no, the conversation had absolutely nothing to do w/Korea or Korean people). Just wondering why some find it so irritating...

[kangnam mafioso]

it probably wasn't the english; it was yelling and laughing really loud from the back seat. remember always: you are a guest in their house. thank you.

[RACETRAITOR]

Let's put this up on the big board of complaints that I've never even remotely observed in my time here.

[billybrobby]

I dunno, I just don't get where you're coming from here. I've never been shushed by a Korean and I find it almost hard to imagine. I mean, consider the fruit peddlers with their loud speakers blaring at 8 in the morning. If they rolled through the wrong street in America, there would be nothing left of their fruit truck but a busted megaphone, some banana peels, and a little adjosshi-shaped stain on the side of the road. Koreans, at least in Seoul, have superhigh tolerance for noise pollution.

On the other hand, I do find that speaking English in public places produces quite a reaction in Koreans. I hardly ever get stared at just walking down the street, but when I open my mouth, heads start to swivel. When I'm on the subway and I answer my phone with a big "hello?" sometimes it seems like everyone around me turns to take a look. But not a dirty look, really, just mild curiosity.

[periwinkle]

[crazylemongirl]

As far as I'm concerned your in a taxi you mak as much noise as you want.

I sometimes get the weird out from people when I speak engish. It depends in my mood though. When I'm a bad mood I seem to see more stares and negative things about Korea, but when I'm in a good mood I don't as much.

[SPINOZA]

[xingyiman]

[periwinkle]

[Troll_Bait]

Where's Homer when you need him?

I'm sure that he can explain why it was all your fault.

____________________
Where I've come to, everything is better.

Everyone is nice. There is no crime and no social problems of any kind.

In fact, I've come to a little place called Korea and I consider anyone who criticises it in any way, ever, to be here as a missionary to show these natives the light.

[Ya-ta Boy]

I can't imagine any of the way-gook sarams I have known in my time in Korea being loud and obnoxious in public. It just couldn't happen. But then, I only hang out with models of decorum.

[periwinkle]

Christ, for the 3rd time, we were speaking normally.

[xingyiman]

[krats1976]

[djsmnc]

Two incidents that stuck out the most for me were:

1. My (K)girlfriend and I were in a western shop eating a snack when some old man nearby asked my girlfriend if we would not use English next to him.

2. I was riding a bus with a Canadian friend, and we were sitting in the seats near the bus driver. Now, this friend of mine and I were VERY quiet and serious speakers as it was most of the time, but nonetheless, the bus driver told us to be quiet.

Both times I felt like I was in 2nd grade again because old people were telling me to shut up for no apparent reason.

I didn't do anything at the time, but I cursed their very names and lives, so they may not be around anymore.