Korean Job Discussion Forums

[billybrobby]

[jajdude]

Sorry, just venting. The place grinds one down sometimes because this kind of thing happens every day, or often enough to get on the nerves. I think I just feel uncomfortable lately and sensitive to the "buzz" and "reaction" my presence seems to generate. It doesn't bother me all the time, but sometimes, just like other foreigners, it makes me want to stay in my room. The skin isn't always thick, esp. when one is feeling down. Don't many foreigners feel weirded out by this at times? They talk amongst themselves but the content of their chat is influenced by your (foreign--- assumed English-speaking) proximity. I find it annoying.

[mindmetoo]

[agraham]

[jajdude]

Ok I admit I am immature and insecure too. That's why it bugs me sometimes.

I am not talking about them practicing with me. I am talking about how much power I have to influence their conversations with each other. I just find it weird.

But I guess if they saw a policeman they might start talking about legal things, or an elephant, wow, look an elephant. Or why is that kyopo speaking English with a white guy? What if one walked around in a baseball uniform?

Ok now I'm just being silly. Please forgive my madness. I'm having trouble with sanity lately. been here too long.

[Mashimaro]

[peppermint]

Most of the time I either wouldn't notice that kind of thing, or just be mildly amused, but it happened this morning and was actually a little dangerous.

On my way to school today, I'd said hello to the crossing guard while I and some students were waiting to cross the street. One little girl tried to cross the street when a car was coming and the guard yelled "STOP!". Would a child in grade 1 understand what that meant?

Just playing Devil's advocate here.

[inthewild]

[tomato]

Hello, Jajdude!

I'm kinda sorry you backed down.
Maybe you should have stood up and fought.

For further discussion on this, see a message which I just posted on the subject:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?p=535821#535821

[Tiberious aka Sparkles]

[billybrobby]

Although I made fun of him in my last post, I hear what jajdude is saying. There is a little bit of a vibe, a bit of extra attention, that follows you around in Korea. But I gotta say it's pretty slight, at least where I live. People in Seoul just ignore me 95% of the time.

There are moments when gets to be too much. Like when I'm walking to get in line for the bus, and I'm moving through the line of sight of everybody who's already in line (maybe 70 people), and I'm thinking, "man, I wish I was a small asian girl right now." It's not that the Korean people are staring at me, probably most don't even notice me in any major way, but sometimes I wanna be more anonymous.

but then it's so easy to turn the attention into positive things like extra help at a store or free drinks or something. so you can't complain too much about it.

[The Great Toad]

Come on now almost every time I go out some kids / adults near by say to each other in Korean " You should say to him... English "Nice to met you... say to him / ask "Where are you from" Often they do no actually even bother to say this to me and me getting mildly amused and elevated I often say - Hey Wutsup. Then they go... " yongo Wuts up Molaaoo to each other then I say Hi they say Hello...

Of course if the said individuals are parents with a cute kid / I motion to the parents if it's ok to shake their hands and say, "ok shake?" - the parents then say to kid... shakkkaah hand... then they sometimes say "Poy Po." and the cute little cute kisses my hand like I'm the Pope... Which in fact is not far from my real status as I am ... A Toad of Royal Blood ...

The Jeju Prince

[squat toilet]

[mindmetoo]

[jajdude]