Korean Job Discussion Forums

adventureman · Joined: 18 Feb 2003

There is a $1000 fine for eating on the subway in Singapore.

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

Lunar Groove Gardener · Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Location: 1987 Subaru

Hi gang at Dave's! It's rather sad that I felt compelled to read all nine pages of this discourse. Very inappropriate, the personal attacks. But then noone can moderate another's words or actions. I don't think there is always an answer to the sort of question, "Is this rude". Clearly many voices here choose to differ. I am now teaching African immigrants here in the U.S.A. having spent some time in Korea teaching. One of the biggest problems that many of these newcomers to my country have are based in behaviour which, while in their country is considered the norm, here it is quite clearly impolite and sometimes even offensive. I deal with teens so I am to give them some authoritative guidance in such matters. Once in a while I am accosted with the whole, "Why should I speak, behave the way White society wants me to?" I think this is the arguement that is being disguised here as self expression. "Why should I care what Korean society perceives as "proper" conduct?" I don't need a quarum to determine what actions I won't accept from my students. If they show respect in their actions and attitudes then they are on the right path, and they are free to question everything. There is no such thing as a stupid question.
As per the quality of the responses available here from proud boozing, eating while yer walking down a crowded street, "I can prove what's O.K. in my opinion" types, well this is the world wide web, and they do let anyone on here. Try to represent someone who cares. This is the example I want my students to pervey. I think it works. Many may not agree.
Wage Peace

canadian_in_korea · Joined: 20 Jun 2004 Location: South Korea

I asked my husband if it is rude to eat in public.....on a subway...he said...it depends...what kind of food? So I said....mandu....he said....yeah you can eat that....then he said...."its just like Canada, some people will say its not rude at all....some will say you shouldn't eat anything...everyone has a different opinion..it just depends on who you ask" This is what I though he might say.....I've seen all kinds of Korean people eating in public....in the morning the young women eat those sandwhiches that they sell at the subways. I don't generally eat in public.....only if I haven't had time....I'm in a hurry....and I get that feeling that if I don't eat I'm going to pass out....would the people on the subway rather I have a quick snack...or collapse on top of them...?.. Razz

...but then they look at me funny all the time....whether I'm eating or not....so I say...go ahead and eat...then you can tell yourself everyone is staring at you because you are eating... Very Happy

Deconstructor · Joined: 30 Dec 2003 Location: Canada

What Larks · Joined: 10 Feb 2005

karoly · Joined: 01 Jun 2003

Korea is such a gotta get there society. Yet few eat in public places. This seems strange to me. I accept it though.

I would think that anyone purporting the solution that Koreans don't eat in public due to sociological reasons has a valid point. Either that or it's in the water.

Nonetheless I'm glad 'cause it'd be a mess.