Korean Job Discussion Forums

[djsmnc]

[saharzie]

Wanted to focus more on the merits/minuses of cultural relativity argument with regards to korea rather than a taxi incident. Has happened to me quite a few times, all over seoul. They slow down, clock I am a foreigner and drive up or pick a Korean up a few yards down the road. they have no way of knowing where i am going. Taxi drivers are always moaning about how little money they make, so why turn down custom? Refusing to take a passenger on the basis of skin colour is racism as far as I am concerned.

[kiwiboy_nz_99]

I think there are some things we need to learn about, and we need to understand and accept differences. But I don't think cultural relativism covers everything. I really do think some cultures are more advanced than others. Koreans are not strong in logical thought, confuciamism still holds the society in a death-grip, preventing a lot of progress that would help them to modernise, and they have a distrubing tendency towards parochialism and nationalism.

I've had the taxi experience too. They don't skip you if you're the only one around, but they do pick up Koreans before you if there are Koreans waiting nearby.

[Swiss James]

Well if it's happened to you guys then it happens, but I still question whether it's racism in the same mould as, say, a black guy struggling to hail a cab in a western city.

The drivers probably thinking- "Oh great, a foreigner, I won't be able to understand where they want to go, they won't speak korean so there'll be no conversation, they'll probably smell of meat- hey look there's a korean, I'll just pick up them instead. "

it's not the same in the same league as-
"Oh great a black guy, he'll probably try and steal my cab"

[Homer]

Good point swiss james.

[kiwiboy_nz_99]

[Homer]

[jajdude]

I just think the culture is ruder than most. We may argue that their "rude" behavior is not considered rude among Koreans, but foreigners perceive it as rude. So that makes the culture rude. Or if not rude, then ignorant. If Koreans don't understand that foreigners perceive them as rude, aren't they ignorant? Of course they are. I can understand why they are ignorant and rude. No or very little experience with foreigners. But that excuse is starting to wear thin. I remember hearing from Taiwanese, Filipino and Thai people. They all thought Koreans are rude too. Strange.
I'm used to it now. But for the newcomer I can understand a feeling of being appalled at Korean behavior.

The hell with relativism - one culture can be ruder than others. Korea proves it.

[djsmnc]

Just one more thing about taxis...because I don't think this thread is meant to address that situation...


BUT...

Met a Korean man last night in Jong-ro...he was taking the license plate numbers of each empty taxi that didn't stop or denied service to people. He planned to turn them in to both the police and taxi companies...Lots of Korean people were getting denied service because they weren't going to "the right destination". I'd love to see a system overhaul, the man and other Korean friends I was with said they were really embarassed to have a foreigner witness the crap attitude of the taxi "service" in Seoul....

[kiwiboy_nz_99]

[Scott in HK]

I am surprised at you kiwi...making such bold statements without checking your facts

[Homer]

Oups Kiwi...looks like your "claims" were based on nothing more than your usual hot air.

Now kiwi focus...a taxi driver, when he passes by a foreigner can do so for many reasons, one of which is indeed discrimination.
However that is not the only possible reason nor does it all come down to discrimination.

To say so is pretty much as simplistic as you can get.

This being said, if thats your opinion then I respect it, you see discrimination in every act thats fine with me.

As for korean dishes that have no meat..lets see

Daejon chi gae (no meat but some fish which of course is different)
oh jing oh bo kum bop (squid)
Kimchee fried rice
Kal guk su
regular bi bim bad (the place where I eat has not meat in it)
Sea weed soup

This was just a sample....

[Mosley]

I'm hardly an expert, but I think the "meat-smelling" bit is far more applicable to Japan, where, for historical reasons(rightly or wrongly) Westerners were considered to have "smells" attributable to the eating of meat....

[kiwiboy_nz_99]

[Homer]

Well kiwi,

You do see discrimination in every act....thats just your schtick.
When contradicted you will use categorical responses that are pretentuous and arrogant (along the lines of you are wrong and I am right).
There are no degrees with you. Its black or its white.

The taxi thing is just an example. This time you said if a taxi driver does not pick up a foreigner because he is a foreigner then thats discrimination. Well...as a simple statement that is certainly true. However the reason why the driver passes by a foreigner is completely ignored by you (as usual). The fact that he or she might not speak any English and therefore passes by a foreigner is not discrimination its a convenience choice on the part of a taxi driver who is free to choose his or her fares as he or she pleases.

The meat thing is another where I made a valid point and without even bothering to check on anything you said: "As usual Homer you don't know anything, put your head back in the sand, you're comfortable that way ... "

That is typical of your responses to other opinions.

"I see descrimination in descriminatory acts"

If this were only true....if only you would apply the same measuring stick to the way foreigners view and treat koreans while here then you do in your crusade for waeguk rights....


Finally, as I said before, the fact you do not respect my opinion means as much to me as the fact that it might rain tomorrow.
Its like a small noise you hear in the background.

[/quote]