Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Snowmeow]

I'd prefer they not sit next to me. I'd prefer that all Koreans give me a wide berth wherever I go, and never speak to me for any reason, except in the classroom or to answer a question.

[Satori]

I hope you're joking...

[Snowmeow]

Above was a little harsh I guess. I was angry about something, and it came out in my writing. I've been counting the days for a long time. Take care.

[Beej]

The foreigner is always the last one sat next to on the subway. Period.

[djsmnc]

Lucky bastard! I have always had to practically THROW the 20-something college girls that wanted to sandwich me on the subway. I always relent though.

[Qinella]

When I lived in Shintanjin, I often took the bus. There were only a few rare instances when I didn't have the seat next to me free. Even if it was the only seat available, people would choose to stand. I'd see them get on, start walking toward the seat, then see me, then stop dead in their tracks, hesitate, and then just stand there acting like they didn't see the seat.

There was once a time when only two seats were open: mine, and the one in front of me, which was next to a smokin hot college girl. This really old man gets on the bus, steps into the dilemma, truly looks as though in despair, and finally settles with the seat next to the young girl.

I loved it. I'd rather not sit right up next to someone if I don't have to.

[Lizara]

It seems weird to me that this complaint comes up all the time on Dave's. In three years I've never experienced it. People on the subway are just as likely to take the seat next to me as they are to take any other seat.

Frankly, I kind of wish they wouldn't. Given the choice, I'd rather not have a stranger sitting right beside me. But whatever.

[Merlyn]

I gotta agree with the OP and the person who said that the foreigner is the last person to be sat next to on the subway. This happens most of the time, and it certainly has nothing to do with how the person comes across as others have suggested. It should be obvious enough to any foreigner who has been here long enough. But like some have said, I kind of like it too. It gives me more space and who wants to sit next to an adjosshi anyway. I would say that my opinion is from a man, I can't comment on how much safer Koreans feel it is sitting next to a foreign woman. Probably different.

[Tiger Beer]

[Merlyn]

[Porter_Goss]

I get the extremes; on one hand some people seem too shy to sit next to me and on the other I have those annoying dudes who want to practice their limited English.

"Prum where you?"
"No hablo ingles. Soy de espana."
"Russian?"
"No I said 'Spain'... "

Damnitalltohell!

[Smee]

If they're going to make an issue of it, I'd rather they not sit next to me. Plus, I hate it when I'm on the subway and they get chatty. 잡당하고 싶은 기분이 아니예요.

[cwemory]

i ignore it. it's unimportant. eventually you stop noticing it.

[Beej]

I have always wanted to do a little social experiment in Seoul. Get about 20-25 foreigners and go to a last subway stop where the cars are empty. Then have the foreigners sit in one car, leaving spaces in between them.
As the train progresses, id like to see if koreans would actually sit in between two foreigners, or just go to another car completely. Of course you would have to video the whole affair.

[JeJuJitsu]