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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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 Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2003 6:04 am Post subject: |
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In regards to Koreans who say that western countries like Canada are boring or whatever they say.. I think its actually true. I mean, USA in most places being very similar to Canada.. and when I go back to Michigan (cold winters, big parking lots, megastores, drive to get a video kind of place).. it is boring!! I miss Korea when I'm there.
I think its alot different though if they are in a similar city to Seoul though.. for example, New York City.. bogedas on every corner, things happening 24-hours a day, no need for a car, 24-hour subway, etc.. most Koreans I knew in NYC loved it and never wanted to leave.. (but the rest of North America.. you can pretty much forget it).. and I'd agree.. it is boring when I'm in places like Michigan.. and even San Francisco doesn't quite make it compared to NYC or Seoul for stimulation and always having something to do.. its better than just about everywhere else.. but bars closing at 2a.m. in S.F... grrr.. hard adjustment as it actually means they are closing at 1:40a.m., etc., etc.. it was hard for me to live in S.F. after NYC & Seoul.. but of course if I come from any other city in the U.S. than S.F. seems like its a really happening place.. |
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gomurr
Joined: 04 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2003 7:20 am Post subject: |
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| Most english teachers I've met do travel throughout Korea to some extent. Eat korean food, go to the Noraebang and Pcbang, drink soju with complete strangers and all other things Korean. I didn't see too many Koreans go out on the canel for a skate in ottawa. |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2003 7:28 am Post subject: |
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| gomurr wrote: |
| Most english teachers I've met do travel throughout Korea to some extent. Eat korean food, go to the Noraebang and Pcbang, drink soju with complete strangers and all other things Korean. I didn't see too many Koreans go out on the canel for a skate in ottawa. |
I'm thinking of this now.. and thats true.. plus whenever I've been with any Korean at all.. they are always shocked that I've been to a PC-Bang before or a Norae-Bang.. or ridden a bus.. or ate kimchee.. they are just shocked beyond belief.. breath gasping and giggles and the whole works.
That being said, I think they project that on us because they themselves would never step out of anything Korean 99% of the time it seems.. or at least it seems..
However when I lived in NYC, I met Koreans who were making an effort to absorb the art scene, or take walks in Central Park, or bar hopping and so forth.. so hard to say.. they adjust a little bit.. but for the most part, they also tended to hangout alot in Korea Town and have alot of Korean friends.. and.. thinking about it now.. and there are even Ko-Shi-Wans and Ha-Sooks (Korean border houses) where Koreans live and if its a ha-sook they have an ajumma cooking meals for them as well.. so.. |
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Cthulhu
Joined: 02 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2003 10:55 pm Post subject: |
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Tiger Beer wrote:
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| That being said, I think they project that on us because they themselves would never step out of anything Korean 99% of the time it seems.. or at least it seems.. |
I think that is true. I'm guessing part of the reason is that most Koreans don't speak enough English to be confident in travel abroad whereas even in Korea we can get by with what we need. Many Koreas can at least understand a little English. I'm sure national pride plays a part too.
Related to that is the fact that Westerners travel a lot in comparison to Koreans, and often from a young age. A lot of North Americans travel between continents before entering univeristy, and on the other side of the Atlantic most subjects of the crown have some experience with continental European life relatively early. But many Koreans generally go to Japan or China, and most don't go anywhere outside Korea until their honeymoon (if at all). Less curiosity coupled with fear of the unknown.
It seems they are more shy about travel, and for good reason. No one is going to understand Korean while in Europe or North America except a fellow Korean. One can use English almost anywhere in the world and be understood. |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2003 11:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Cthulhu wrote: |
| It seems they are more shy about travel, and for good reason. No one is going to understand Korean while in Europe or North America except a fellow Korean. One can use English almost anywhere in the world and be understood. |
It is intimidating I'm sure. I mean, thinking back to when I was young and before I'd been anywhere at all, I just couldn't imagine how people could function in another country without knowing the language.
Of course, once abroad, I realized how different it really was. But it was a stumbling block, and I know its a huge stumbling block for those who have never been abroad, even those from English-speaking countries. |
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gomurr
Joined: 04 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2003 5:52 am Post subject: |
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I agree it's intimidating. But what about us that come here. I was pretty green when I got here. I had no idea about Korean other than it's place in Chinese-japanese history. I wasn't even in Seoul but out in Kangnung. But I adapted pretty quickly and well.
Trying to compare Michigan with Seoul isn't too realistic. What about Detroit vs Seoul. I'd pick Detroit anytime. Right now I'm in Ye-Cheon, a place so small it's not even listed in the Lonely planet. And the white population is 2 (My son and I), Filipinas outnumber (my wife to) me here. I'd take Northern Michican over Ye-Cheon anyday of the week. |
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ez2engage2
Joined: 19 Jul 2003
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| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2003 2:25 pm Post subject: |
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| gomurr wrote: |
What about Detroit vs Seoul. I'd pick Detroit anytime. |
Did I read this right? |
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ersatzprofessor
Joined: 17 Apr 2003
Location: Same as it ever was ... Same as it ever WAS
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| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2003 4:43 pm Post subject: |
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| You've got to hand it to certain Canadians for bringing oversensitivity and petty nationalism to a new level. As a Canadian myself, I would say that the "boring heaven" comment is a compliment. There are more than a few places back home where I would choose, let's say, a slightly warmer place for comparison. |
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gomurr
Joined: 04 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2003 5:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Nothing wrong with Detroit. Yes it does have a high crime rate and several neighborhoods where you wouldn't want to wander in. But it does have the Pistons, the Lions, the Tigers and the Red Wings. The night life is much better there and there is more to do. It's not my favorite city in the US but it beats anything in Gorea. |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2003 11:08 pm Post subject: |
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Detroit? I grew up in Michigan. Seoul definetely has it way way way over Michigan.
I also lived in San Francisco, San Diego, Minneapolis, Portland Oregon and New York City.. I prefer the nightlife in Seoul over anywhere in North America with the exception of maybe New York City.
The big difference.. most places in North America close at 1am or 2am.. NYC at 4am.. Seoul goes all day and all night. |
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gomurr
Joined: 04 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2003 3:42 am Post subject: |
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| Your right, the hill behind burgerking in Itaewon probably goes all night. If you lived in Michigan you probably went across Ambassador bridge so you could drink legally in Canada when you were 19. Drinking isn't everything but staying with vices, where can you get shrooms or good weed in Korea? |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2003 5:22 am Post subject: |
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| gomurr wrote: |
| Your right, the hill behind burgerking in Itaewon probably goes all night. If you lived in Michigan you probably went across Ambassador bridge so you could drink legally in Canada when you were 19. Drinking isn't everything but staying with vices, where can you get shrooms or good weed in Korea? |
Itaewon, Shinchon and HongDae definetely go all night and well into the next morning. I never go to other areas at nighttime or weekends, so I can't speak for everywhere, but I know its alot better than most places in the U.S.
As far as the other non-drinking vices and such.. yeah, thats not here. |
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bucheon bum
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2003 5:28 am Post subject: |
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| hell, things were going on all night in freaking Wonju, a city of 300,000. Try finding the same thing in a city of the same size in the States. Granted, its generally just drinking, noraebangs, and dance clubs, but hey, its better than say Omaha, NB. |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2003 5:35 am Post subject: |
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| bucheon bum wrote: |
| hell, things were going on all night in freaking Wonju, a city of 300,000. Try finding the same thing in a city of the same size in the States. Granted, its generally just drinking, noraebangs, and dance clubs, but hey, its better than say Omaha, NB. |
Very much agree! |
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camel96
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| Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2003 5:47 am Post subject: |
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I've found many of the Koreans I've met travelling to be very very standup guys. They keep a lot of the generosity that you can find here but lose some of the attitude about how everything outside their country sucks. They seem impressed to meet whiteys who've lived in their country and even can drag out a bit of mangled Korean. That having been said the big time desinations for Koreans like Manila and Baguio in the Philippines or Suzhou in China have very insulated Korean communities who don't appear to have changed much personality wise to their new environment. Interestingly the Korean grocery stores in the Philippines stock Korean salt. What's wrong with Filippino salt?
I guess this argument can apply to minorities anywhere though. Including us. Individuals or smaller groups are usually pleasant company. But large numbers are often horrible, noisy and obnoxious. |
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