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DanseurVertical
Joined: 24 Nov 2010
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 Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2011 6:04 pm Post subject: |
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| swinewho wrote: |
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| Get over it. The OP is no more required to talk to random strangers here than anywhere else. |
I guess I'm just a friendly kind of guy (normally). |
Don't let the subject line of this thread throw you off. I am too. But another person has got to exhibit sincerity and social skills. For example, talk to someone who isn't visibly reading or listening to music. Or if you do, ask some reasonable question like, "May I ask, what are you reading / listening to?" And, do not approach someone saying "hello hello excuse me excuse me?" from behind, like the second guy that evening. |
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rchristo10
Joined: 14 Jul 2009
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| Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2011 6:14 pm Post subject: |
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I usually just speak in French and they kindly walk away (likely thinking I'm speaking some African dialect. Or they say "France," I say oui, get a thumbs up and they walk away.
I use French here like roach repellent. You should try it out, never fails.
I've tried to do it using Korean (with the intent of letting them know that I'm quite proficient), but then I get interrogated to no end. I would not recommend using Korean to repel Koreans. For some reason, they seem to understand Korean well--especially when I'm not in the mood to talk. But ask for salt at a restaurant... and you're suddenly conversing with Helen Keller.  |
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crisdean
Joined: 04 Feb 2010
Location: Seoul Special City
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| Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2011 6:57 pm Post subject: |
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| rchristo10 wrote: |
I usually just speak in French and they kindly walk away (likely thinking I'm speaking some African dialect. Or they say "France," I say oui, get a thumbs up and they walk away.
I use French here like roach repellent. You should try it out, never fails.
I've tried to do it using Korean (with the intent of letting them know that I'm quite proficient), but then I get interrogated to no end. I would not recommend using Korean to repel Koreans. For some reason, they seem to understand Korean well--especially when I'm not in the mood to talk. But ask for salt at a restaurant... and you're suddenly conversing with Helen Keller. |
I've had my bluff called on this a couple of times, of course my French is mediocre at best (I'm guessing you might actually be fluent), and an awkward conversation between Franglais and Koncais is far more painful. I tried moving on to my mediocre Spanish and got stuck in a conversation with a Korean who lived in Venezuela for a few years, painful, I'm sure he thought I was drunk or retarded or both. Now I find it easier to just show a general disinterest. |
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Eglayzer
Joined: 22 Feb 2009
Location: Gimhae-si, near Busan
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| Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2011 8:15 pm Post subject: |
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My first week in Korea, an English co-teacher (who was also new) and I wento Busan to stroll along the beach. We were followed, VERY CLOSELY, by an old Korean man for a very long while. It was pissing me off so I eventually just turned around and stared at him until he finally broken the silence.
He explained that he used to be in the military, where he learned so English, and recently retired with no family members left alive. His only motivation now that he was alone was to learn English and make foreign freinds. He was following us to listen to our conversation and try to learn English that way. Of course, I immediatly felt like a dick and we invited him to join us on our walk. He didnt say too much but just walked and listend, occasionally trying to hold my hand.
Having just got to Korea I was really unprepaired for this kind of thing but it was good fun to learn. I try to remember not to get upset when stuff like this happens because if I am pacient I might learn something new.
About two years later, I was visiting a small town in the country side and got my nipple pinched from behind by another old Korean man. I turned aroumd, kinda scared and really really surprisd to find him basically laughing at me. He was standing really really close to me so I pushed him, perhaps too hard, and he went flying backwards and fell over. I couldnt tell if he was drunk or just didnt know any better but we almost got into a fist fight after that.
I dont know if either of these stories has a point but sometimes weird stuff just happens and you cant always judge yourself by what your immediate reaction will be. |
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ThingsComeAround
Joined: 07 Nov 2008
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| Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2011 8:16 pm Post subject: |
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Why not Pig Latin?
Ey? |
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theevilgenius
Joined: 10 Sep 2010
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| Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2011 8:53 pm Post subject: |
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| When he asked you the time, you should have just said "it's hammer time" and bust out with "can't touch this!" |
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DanseurVertical
Joined: 24 Nov 2010
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| Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2011 9:02 pm Post subject: |
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| theevilgenius wrote: |
| When he asked you the time, you should have just said "it's hammer time" and bust out with "can't touch this!" |
I wish I were that cool :D |
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Rutherford
Joined: 31 Jul 2007
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| Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2011 9:17 pm Post subject: |
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I get a lot of parents wanting to see their kids talk to me. This weekend i was in a crowded noodle shop and as we were finishing up the father at the table next to us asked my friend in Korean if his son could say hello to the Westerners sitting next to him. Very polite.
Another time I was in a bad mood and wanted to be left alone, but a grandfather was waiting for for the train next to me with two elementary aged boys and was telling them in Korean to ask if I'm American. One of the boys came over and asked in perfect English "Excuse me, are you from the United States?" Turns out he was American and was just back in Korea visiting family. He was a very nice kid and it was fun hearing his take on Korea. He said he likes it more than home because while he's in Korea he doesn't have to go to school. This was in the fall so he must have been missing school to visit. |
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The Floating World
Joined: 01 Oct 2011
Location: Here
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| Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2011 10:32 pm Post subject: |
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| Rutherford wrote: |
OP that is a very tame "crazy guy approaching me" story.
I had a good one this weekend. Drunk grandfather stumbles into the car and when the train starts he falls into the lap of a grandmother sitting in the retirees section. Then he sees a friend and I and asks where we're from. My friend tells him he's German and the guy stars with "Oh Germany! Hitler. Poland and Czechoslovakia (mimes a miniature blitzkrieg) Stalin! Stalingrad! Stalingrad fire! cold! Fire! (Makes slow motion punch) Stalingrad!"
He was smiling the whole time and seemed a too excited about the Eastern front. Then I told him I'm American and he started with "America! Philippines in! Okinawa! Eisenhower! Okinawa (mimes naval landing) Browning! (mimes firing a rifle) Eisenhower Okinawa!"
Just a World War II history buff I guess. He kept it up for at least 10 minutes. |
This is certifiably awesome. Memories that will stay with us forever. Isn't this part of why we come here? I'd have invited the guy for a quick beer or soju before saying bye and getting on with my journey lol. |
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Captain Corea
Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2011 10:39 pm Post subject: |
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| Rutherford wrote: |
OP that is a very tame "crazy guy approaching me" story.
I had a good one this weekend. Drunk grandfather stumbles into the car and when the train starts he falls into the lap of a grandmother sitting in the retirees section. Then he sees a friend and I and asks where we're from. My friend tells him he's German and the guy stars with "Oh Germany! Hitler. Poland and Czechoslovakia (mimes a miniature blitzkrieg) Stalin! Stalingrad! Stalingrad fire! cold! Fire! (Makes slow motion punch) Stalingrad!"
He was smiling the whole time and seemed a too excited about the Eastern front. Then I told him I'm American and he started with "America! Philippines in! Okinawa! Eisenhower! Okinawa (mimes naval landing) Browning! (mimes firing a rifle) Eisenhower Okinawa!"
Just a World War II history buff I guess. He kept it up for at least 10 minutes. |
Hahaha
This guy sounds like a hoot!
I have to admit though, how I receive these guys is often dependent on the mood I'm in. Good day = a chuckle and a pat on the back
Bad day = a don't effin touch me! |
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Rutherford
Joined: 31 Jul 2007
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| Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2011 10:51 pm Post subject: |
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| He seemed pretty drunk to begin with and he really got carried away with the WWII ranting. He must have said "Stalingrad" 50 times. It made it even more funny because the old folks section of the train was packed and all the other seniors were giving him dirty looks while he just kept on ranting. This was at 3pm on Sunday. |
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The Floating World
Joined: 01 Oct 2011
Location: Here
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| Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2011 11:12 pm Post subject: |
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| Rutherford wrote: |
| He seemed pretty drunk to begin with and he really got carried away with the WWII ranting. He must have said "Stalingrad" 50 times. It made it even more funny because the old folks section of the train was packed and all the other seniors were giving him dirty looks while he just kept on ranting. This was at 3pm on Sunday. |
Warrants an invitation to the soju pojang macha for sure. |
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soulofseoul
Joined: 23 Mar 2010
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 4:11 am Post subject: |
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[quote="DanseurVertical"][quote="soulofseoul"]GET USED TO IT! :lol: Sadly for you, it will be only guys and not girls who will be randomly coming up to you[/quote]
I've had girls in public initiate conversation with me as well. Actually, eight younger females and one older Korean English teacher when I was visibly confused. And of course I've had many older Korean men initiate conversation as well.
But in almost all the above cases (except a few with drunken 아저씨) it seemed pretty natural and courteous. It wasn't awkward or uneasy.[/quote]
Unless youre a pop star here then I doubt youll get many girls coming up to you that are 8, 9 or 10 on the hotness scale haha
walk around gangnam or apgujeong and see how you fair
quantity isnt always better than quality! |
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Mix1
Joined: 08 May 2007
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| Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 8:23 am Post subject: |
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| Captain Corea wrote: |
Good day = a chuckle and a pat on the back
Bad day = a don't effin touch me! |
Haha, exactly.
The approach matters a lot too. If they start with a polite "Excuse me, sorry to bother you..." = no problem.
Hitting the seat armrest and yelling, "Where are you from??" = NOT cool.
By the way, IMO "Where are you from" is NOT really a good opener if it's the first phrase out of their mouths. You get some younger guys or kyopo guys saying it and it has a "What the heck are you doing here?" kind of feel to it, even if they don't mean it that way. At least say "hi" and break the ice first. |
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