Korean Job Discussion Forums

519forlife · Joined: 26 Sep 2006

What is up with koreans saying this or similar things like "you look sick". I don't mean friends, I mean people you hardly know, co workers usually. Do they think it's a nice thing to say? This is what I have done to solve the problem, when some ignorant **** says"you look tried or sick" ect.. I look right at them and choose something to rip on elementary school style. I say something like this. "ya I'm really tired I didn't sleep well last night, by the way what happened to your teeth? Why are they scattered all over your mouth, have you been eatting bricks?" That's how I handle it, how about the rest of you?

mateomiguel · Joined: 16 May 2005

I don't really get that question alot, but the question I do get is "Do you live alone?" Last time someone asked me that I replied with, "Why, you gonna come over and kill me?"

dodgybarnet · Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 6:42 pm Post subject:

Some of my favourites I've heard are to the female foreigners at work:

"You look fat"
"Your glasses make your face ugly"
"You no get husband [unless you use makeup]"
"You gain weight?"

I Lol'd. Seriously I nearly died of asphyxiation when I heard the "Glasses make you ugly" one. The girl it was said to was a perfectly attractive teacher, but funnier coz she has terrible luck with guys.

I don't really get any negative ones at me though, guess it's obvious enough that I look dumb.

Tiberious aka Sparkles · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: I'm one cool cat!

Gaber · Joined: 23 Apr 2006

Koreans are a lot more casual about comenting ont looks. i've heard really thin girls being told there getting fat by they're boys, and once one of my students told one of K coteachers (who frankly has a hot body) your getting fat. All I've got is "Your very hansom" From a radom a highschool girl on the street and "Your so good looking, I need to stop looking at you" from a married 31 year old male, followed by " don't worry I'm not a cross sexual".

Edit: "Do you live alone?" Last time someone asked me that I replied with, "Why, you gonna come over and kill me?" Lol. Really.

Novernae · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

Many Koreans are creepily good at spotting emotions that I think I'm hiding. And yes, Novernae is correct. They are expressing concern.

djsmnc · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Dave's ESL Cafe

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

mateomiguel · Joined: 16 May 2005

Gaber · Joined: 23 Apr 2006

silvertoes · Joined: 13 Feb 2006 Location: Busan

I know they mean well. But sometimes, when you feel fine, you thought you looked normal, then someone says that, it can bring you down a little. It can be a real mood basher, and come across as the opposite of 'caring'. It also seems pointless to me. If you're at work, there's nothing you can do about it anyway and, if it's really true, then you've already seen it for yourself that morning; you don't need to be told.

When someone says it to me I say, "Yes, I'm pretty tired. Maybe you could cover my class for me while I go home and take a nap?"

They never say it again.

The (female) Korean teachers at my school are always ragging on each others' appearance. They know by now that I find it judgmental, intrusive, and superficial, so they do it behind my back instead. Which I prefer. They're entitled to their opinions, but when it comes to my own looks I'd rather not hear them. I have a mirror.

poet13 · Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 1:21 am Post subject:

My former colleague told me every day for more than a week that my clothes made me look fat. Finally I told him, "Yes, I'm fat, but you're an idiot and I can lose weight." Never said it again.

billybrobby · Joined: 09 Dec 2004

Koreans are all over each other's weight. you look fatter, you look skinnier on and on. I dunno if it's a remnant of leaner times (starving with a life expectancy of 35) or the emphasis on appearance or maybe their just saying what we're only thinking.