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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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cdninkorea
Joined: 27 Jan 2006
Location: Seoul
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 Posted: Mon Jun 03, 2013 6:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Julius wrote: |
| The Korean concept of tourism is superficial and does not seem to extend beyond an exercise in group-bonding, accompanied by eating Korean food. The buying of cheap gifts or souvenirs to show off later seems to be the most important part of the excursion. |
And photo-taking in front of landmarks. Oh, and being able to list all the countries you've been to (leaving out that you were only in each country for a day or so). |
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PatrickGHBusan
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -
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| Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2013 4:22 am Post subject: |
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| Considering most Korean's vacations tend to be no longer than a week and often less, they like the Japanese, tend to prefer maxing out on landmarks and making full use of their time. Unfortunate by product of not having much time off. |
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Mr. BlackCat
Joined: 30 Nov 2005
Location: Insert witty remark HERE
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| Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 9:10 pm Post subject: |
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| PatrickGHBusan wrote: |
| Considering most Korean's vacations tend to be no longer than a week and often less, they like the Japanese, tend to prefer maxing out on landmarks and making full use of their time. Unfortunate by product of not having much time off. |
I hear this excuse quite a bit, and while it's a bit understandable it just doesn't work out when put up to scrutiny.
People I know back home often only have a week at a time for vacation, at most. If these people choose to go to Europe, for example, they don't tend to try to fit in 5 cities in 5 days. They will go to Rome, or Paris, or London, for that week and maybe throw in a side trip. I remember when I was in Sydney we went to the Opera House (of course). A bus load of ajummas with with their Darth Vader visors suddenly appeared, but just as suddenly disappeared after a few pictures. I can't imagine spending all that money and time to come to Sydney and to only spend 5 minutes at the Opera House and waterfront. I mean, it's fine if that's what you want to do but don't blame it on 'working too hard' or 'oooooohhhh sooooo busy!'. I was there with a friend who also only had a week off yet we found the time to enjoy the afternoon in the area. Again, if that's not your goal of going there then that's fine, but don't make excuses for it either.
What is more understandable is that it's harder to travel to these countries without knowing at least a bit of English. Thus, many Koreans feel more comfortable going on these tours. I also believe Koreans, as part of their culture, just enjoy being in a group. We're all very fortunate that we speak the world's second language, I can't imagine having the desire to travel as I do while not being catered to some degree almost everywhere I go. Having said that, I've been to areas with absolutely no English, so sometimes you just have to put yourself out there and be willing to make a fool of yourself while not getting exactly what you want. |
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PatrickGHBusan
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -
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| Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 4:04 am Post subject: |
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That is your opinion and I have no issue with it.
Still, the truth is my father in law had 5 days off a year (consecutive) and when he did travel, he chose to see the landmarks because
A) He had 5 days
B) It was in his opinion his only chance to travel to that country in his life or perhaps until retirement.
C) The language issue and lack of travel experience (in his case and in the case of older koreans) plays a part.
I have no intention of getting into a judgemental debate about the travel habits of Koreans, Americans, Canadians...that to me is a pointless endeavor.
Glad you had your travel experiences. I had mine too. Koreans do it their way...that is their call. Why is that so hard to accept without judgement?
Cheers |
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optik404
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
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| Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 5:43 am Post subject: |
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Why do some of you care and pay attention to what other people do during their vacation?
Omg, these people don't do the same exact thing my group of friends do!!! Why don't they appreciate the same stuff we do!!!!  |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 4:51 pm Post subject: |
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| optik404 wrote: |
Why do some of you care and pay attention to what other people do during their vacation?
Omg, these people don't do the same exact thing my group of friends do!!! Why don't they appreciate the same stuff we do!!!! |
Indeed. If Koreans (or any other nationalities) want to enjoy their vacation a certain way and it's not exactly the way people on here would do it...that seems the signal for a bunch of (usually) ill-informed criticism and carping. |
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edwardcatflap
Joined: 22 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 6:28 pm Post subject: |
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| Certain sections of Korean society like to spend their time abroad on group tours, shopping for cheap designer goods, eating Korean food and not being very interested in the local culture, while certain sections of UK society like to get blind drunk every night, flash body parts at passers-by have sex with as many strangers as possible and not care very much about the local culture. I'm quite happy to judge both of them as being pretty boorish and uncultured but given the choice I'd rather have a group of Koreans come to my town. |
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jvalmer
Joined: 06 Jun 2003
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| Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 6:58 pm Post subject: |
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| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
| optik404 wrote: |
Why do some of you care and pay attention to what other people do during their vacation?
Omg, these people don't do the same exact thing my group of friends do!!! Why don't they appreciate the same stuff we do!!!! |
Indeed. If Koreans (or any other nationalities) want to enjoy their vacation a certain way and it's not exactly the way people on here would do it...that seems the signal for a bunch of (usually) ill-informed criticism and carping. |
The same people arguing over how Korean travel are the ones looking for the bacon and egg breakfast and the next McDonalds. Also, arguing over what amounts to be 10 cents with the locals don't make them look good too. |
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augustine
Joined: 08 Sep 2012
Location: México
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| Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 7:31 pm Post subject: |
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| jvalmer wrote: |
| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
| optik404 wrote: |
Why do some of you care and pay attention to what other people do during their vacation?
Omg, these people don't do the same exact thing my group of friends do!!! Why don't they appreciate the same stuff we do!!!! |
Indeed. If Koreans (or any other nationalities) want to enjoy their vacation a certain way and it's not exactly the way people on here would do it...that seems the signal for a bunch of (usually) ill-informed criticism and carping. |
The same people arguing over how Korean travel are the ones looking for the bacon and egg breakfast and the next McDonalds. Also, arguing over what amounts to be 10 cents with the locals don't make them look good too. |
You guys sound like a bunch of middle aged women nagging about one of their friends that they don't like in the Wednesday book club. None of you sound well traveled either. Have any of you spend a considerable amount of time in Europe or elsewhere? St. Peter's square? You'd think the Chinese invaded Italy. Northern Asians, mostly Chinese, Japanese, and Koreans, generally travel groups because they are very insulated groups of people and don't usually branch out on their own like westerners tend to do. No wonder the apologists often sound old and out of touch, since most of them went from small town Canada straight to Korea, with not much in between. |
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Captain Corea
Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 8:08 pm Post subject: |
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| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
| optik404 wrote: |
Why do some of you care and pay attention to what other people do during their vacation?
Omg, these people don't do the same exact thing my group of friends do!!! Why don't they appreciate the same stuff we do!!!! |
Indeed. If Koreans (or any other nationalities) want to enjoy their vacation a certain way and it's not exactly the way people on here would do it...that seems the signal for a bunch of (usually) ill-informed criticism and carping. |
For me, the only time I cared was when I signed up for a tour to China (out of Korea). It was all about the go, go, go, and shop, shop shop... oh, and stop for 30 minutes on the Great Wall.
So for me, the lesson was - don't take Korean package tours - they don't mesh with my style of vacationing. |
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augustine
Joined: 08 Sep 2012
Location: México
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| Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 8:25 pm Post subject: |
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| Captain Corea wrote: |
For me, the only time I cared was when I signed up for a tour to China (out of Korea). It was all about the go, go, go, and shop, shop shop... oh, and stop for 30 minutes on the Great Wall.
So for me, the lesson was - don't take Korean package tours - they don't mesh with my style of vacationing. |
I almost mentioned this in my previous post, because it's important since so many of these package tours are massive scams. I've known a few people who made that mistake. Most notably, my, eh, I guess, ex-girlfriend who went to Thailand on one of those group tours. She got SLAYED financially, had to tip everyone and pay money for random nonsense. And, like you said, it was just a shopping extravaganza, trying to milk everyone every second of the day. And they took them to Pattaya for some reason.
It reminds me of when I was in Morocco, I'd heard no one leaves Morocco without buying a rug. I was with around 8 people and they took us to some place on the outskirts of Fez where we were aggressively shown and told to buy a rug. I thought the guys were going to jump me when I informed them that there was no way in hell I was going to buy a rug from them. And that's literally what my dad said about his trip there in the 70s... he wasn't given a choice, it was buy a rug or get your head stomped.  |
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