Korean Job Discussion Forums

[oneofthesarahs]

Being that I'm not around many other English speakers, I need to get on with the locals, or it's going to be a lonely year here in Korea. What's the best way to meet new people when you don't speak the language? (Yet! I'm working on it, but I'm bad with languages, and learning Korean is slow going.) It's not like I can just walk up to people and say, "Hey! Do you speak English at all?" I get stared at enough the way it is. Probably shouldn't do anything that's going to draw even more attention to my awkward American self.
Help?? I'm getting lonely!

[the_beaver]

[oneofthesarahs]

Unfortunately, this is not an option. I'm nowhere near Seoul, and I'm nowhere near any native speakers. The native speakers here consist of myself, a fellow teacher of mine, and two Mormon missionaries.

Any other ideas?

[ChopChaeJoe]

Eat at restaurants every night. Somebody will invite you to eat with them.

[chipotle]

Go out, go out, and go out. The more time you spend in your apartment, the less likely it is that you'll meet anyone (obviously). Soon it'll seem like no matter what you're doing alone- be it a walk, a trip to the jjimjilbang or gym, an errand at the bank, or a meal- there's always someone just waiting to talk to you and make friends. In my experience locals have no inhibitions in approaching foreigners. Which will bring you to the next step of never being able to enjoy "alone time" because someone's always going to want to talk to you.

[crazy_arcade]

What the two before me said.

And, OP, where do you live anyways?

Are there any universities nearby? They usually have English/language exchange clubs and those are a great way to meet people.

Studying Korean in a coffee shop or other public place usually attracts friendly people. Looking lost with a map is a tactic that I've heard guys in Seoul use to pick up chicks.....ㅋㅋㅋ.

[MantisBot]

I'd say grab the other English teacher and go out for some drinks. I've met more people that way than any other. It also has the added benefit of getting you a few free drinks now and then:D

A few places I've made some Korean friends:

A local convenience store where I drank with my friends during the warmer months.

Several bars where my friends and I were just havin a few beers.

Restaurants.

Mountain climbing.

It's true what's been said before, the more you go out the more chances you'll have of making friends. Don't worry about the language, bring a pad and a pen! At worst you'll get a rousing game of Pictionary on:D

[venus]

EAT OUT IN THE FOOD TENTS LATE AT NIGHT, OR THE CHICKEN AND BEER HOFFS WITH LOADS OF ADJOISHI'S IN. NINE TIMES OUT OF TEN SOMEONE WILL HAVE STARTED A CONVERSATION WITH YOU OR OFFERED YOU TO DRINK SOJU WITH THEM WITHIN AN HOUR... ALSO JOIN A GYM. SOME OF THE YOUNGER KOREAN GUYS THERE WHO SPEAK ENGLISH WILL MAKE AN EFFORT TO BEFRIEND YOU, AT LEAST IT HAPENED IN MY CASE. I DO LOOK LIKE A WOMAN THOUGH... JOKE...

CAPS ON DARN, CAN'T BE BOTHERED TO CHANGE IT NOW....

[stevenisi]

.

Try the friend finder


.

[Mashimaro]

[Keepongoing]

attend a church on Sunday.