Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Wangja]

Fascinating, bloody fascinating. Far from degenerating into a "let's all bash USA", as I feared it might, it has degenerated into a "let all us US folks bash other parts of the USA".

I'm a spectator.

Until the question is posed again on another thread.

[desultude]

Okay, I'll take the bait.

What I don't like the most about us Americans is that we tend to be too loud mouthed, arrogant and presumptuous.

I can hear Americans when I enter a room, voices ringing over all others. Why are we so loud-mouthed? I never need a microphone, no matter how large the room is where I am speaking- my voice projects loud clear to the back corners.

We can be very arrogant and opinionated- experts on everything. I had to listen to a fellow teacher- a large white male from the midwest- go on and on about all of the irrationality and lack of common sense in Korea. Why, the people in the bank can't even speak English well. I know that I can come off as a big expert on everything, but I am not a basher of other cultures, at least.

We tend to presume too much space- physical and social. Two Americans in a conversation, or just walking, take up a lot of "personal space". We move broadly, and assume an arm's length of room in every direction, and then get annoyed when people bump into our big selves.

These are some of the things that bother me about Americans. I think they are symptomatic of all of the bigger problems we make in the world. We know best how to do everything, we will impose ourselves at will and be heard at any expense.

Of course, this is learned, cultural behavior. It is indicative of a lot of things about our culture, just as the things that annoy us about Koreans and others are just learned, cultural behaviors that clash with ours. It doesn't make us bad people- just annoying at least, and quite dangerous in the worst situations (imposing values through war, for example).

The good thing about living abroad is gaining a modicum of distance and objectivity towards ones own culture. I try to deal with my "Americanism", but it is bred in the bone. I am sure a lot of people who emigrate to the US try to dampen their own cultural baggage when they see it against the backdrop of a new culture.

There are also, by the way, things I miss and cherish about the US. The first would be the straightforwardness of most Americans. I get so lost in the twists and turns of trying to communicate with Koreans sometimes- and other Asians as well. I'm never sure what is being asked of me, etc. I like that we are quick to smile and offer a greeting. And I miss the easy banter with everyone from the letter carrier to the guy in the gas station.

[SweetBear]

[desultude]

Yes, they are generalizations that don't fit everyone, but enough that there is a good measure of truth to it.

Every society has its plusses and minuses, this thread asks about American minuses. But I also added a few plusses.

So, you find no truth in what I say?

As you highlighted, I said "we", because I am not exempted from these criticisms. I sometimes have to tone down my voice and attitude.

The left and the right sound so similar in the U.S. in their sanctimony because they share the same absolutely assuredness of owning the moral high ground.

We are who we are, we can adjust and try to deal with our weaknesses, but the cultural attributes are, as I said, bred in the bone.

[Milwaukiedave]

Just a couple of thoughts...

First off, I'm married to a Korean woman who didn't like Americans until she met me. To some degree, I've changed her perception about what an American is like.

Some good points were made that I as an American have to agree with:

1) Americans tend to force their opinions on others (as a whole and as individuals).

2) Americans value personal space. This however is a cultural norm that varies depending on the culture you are talking about.

3) Most (but not all) Americans are opinionated.

I think there is a clear diffrence between disliking the people of a nation and the government of a nation. Recognizing that the government of a nation may be doing something bad, doesn't necessarly mean the people of that country are bad.

Often I talk about US politics with my wife. She knows I have pretty strong opinions. That doesn't mean I expect her to agree with me though.

[Natalia]

How can you generalise about that many people?

I think in most parts of the world, people's knowledge of America does not extend much past George Bush. I find it a bit ironic that the original poster points the finger at Northerners when it is actually the extremist attitudes radiating out of some parts of the South that cause people of other nations the most offence.

Not to say that all Southerners are 'bad'. In fact, I couldn't care less where in the country an American is from. To people who don't know the country well you will find they don't have the faintest idea what constitutes North, South or otherwise.

In my experience, I often find myself feeling sorry for Americans in places like Korea - the Americans I know have to spend a lot of their time explaining to their co-workers that they really aren't evil, obnoxious etc. It pisses me off and I'm not even American.

Like I said before I got sidetracked, it's impossible to generalise about that many people. I know there are a hell of a lot of stereotypes about my home country I don't want applied to me.

Many of the Americans I have met around the world are incredible, interesting people who are great fun to be around. The more you travel the less important your travel companions' countries of origin become.

[Milwaukiedave]

Natalia,

I agree generalizations are bad, but then again as an American it's pretty much expected given some of the things that are happening in the world.
There is anti-American sentiment in many places including Korea. I've personally never been treated poorly because I'm American, but it does happen.

Like I said, I've met many people that like me for who I am, not where I come from. I'm opinionated when it comes to politics and the US, but then again my take will suprise most.

[desultude]

[crystal]

[quote="desultude"]
Germans are in general show a lot less physical affection than do southern Europeans, and do same sex Koreans.
quote]

that is not necessarily true of Germans, I have seen a lot of young Germans, in their twenties who greet each other with a kiss on the cheek, both male and female, girls even tend to kiss on the lips as a greeting, the older they get though the more formal they are and the less affectionate in their greetings

[desultude]

[crazylemongirl]

I like Americans. Generally a friendly, well mannered group of people.

[i can do]

[Lemonade]

SOOHWA101, I get the feeling that you have never lived in Korea. So when you get here, just remember these words:

If you thought Northerners had bad manners, you haven't seen anything yet.

Brace yourself baby! Brace yourself!

Koreans are the polar opposites of Southerners... with the exception of heavy smoking and maybe the drinking (dry counties excluded).

Honey, you can kiss that Southern charm bah once you get on that plane because it sure as day can't be found in thaese here parts.

I wouldn't yank your chain about that either.

[ddeubel]

I like Americans until they remember they are American..........if that makes any sense.

DD

[Bulsajo]