Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rchristo10]

[Swampfox10mm]

Seriously, video camera. And let him see you are doing it. Fear of the netizens will scare him more than the cops.

Not even close.

The cops might say, "go away... just let them be..."

Angry netizens will find out who he is, invade his life, pick apart his entire history, and shame his entire family.

Everyone knows this, and it will keep a nut like this in line.

[Tamada]

OP: You deserve everything that's coming to you. Why?

(1) You forgot to leave some of your Western morals at home.
(2) You tried to be a superhero and stupidly interfered in Korean business.
(3) Unprovoked, you pushed the guy.

You're either a troll or very wet between the ears and as green as cabbage.

[Mix1]

[Konglishman]

I hear a lot of people throwing around excuses stinking of cultural relativism, not knowing the culture well enough, etc as reasons for not intervening.

Well, during Chuseok of last year, a foreign friend and I were on a bus in a semi-rural area of Korea. In fact, aside from not being familiar with all of the hanja, this friend of mine is completely fluent in Korean and is quite familiar with Korean culture. However, when a fight broke out on the bus which consisted of a husband hitting his wife while their son was sitting on the floor crying, my friend was the first and only person to intervene and break up the domestic abuse.

So, while I agree with posters that the OP could try doing things differently in the future, my point is that no amount of cultural conditioning you learn as a foreigner, is going to stop you from acting on your initial gut instincts.

[myenglishisno]

[PatrickGHBusan]

It is NOT legal to beat your gf or wife in Korea.

It is perhaps under-reported but it is NOT legal.

As for what to do...well calling the POLICE is the thing to do as this reports the incident and will lead to the cops showing up.

that is better than jumping in yourself and getting physical.

[Steelrails]

General rule of thumb- If it doesn't involve a closed fist or full on kicks, it's probably part of some act.

Either they both want attention, or the girl wants the guy to "show he's serious" with non mark-leaving slaps, or sometimes it's the woman beating on the Masochist Man, or it's just some desperate attempt by two drama-queens to cook up some drama, or some sort of "we argue because we love each other" nonsense.

In that case, just ignore, or again, THROW WATER ON THEM. Don't even bother the cops, who probably have a blotter report a mile long on them.

Now if it's closed fists, do whatever you feel is right. There may be negative consequences, and be prepared for, and accept them, but follow your conscience.

[Tamada]

Anytime I see some Korean guy beating his gf or wife......I simply shrug my shoulders and think, that's Korean culture, and then move on with my daily business

[Ruby Thursday]

dbl

[Ruby Thursday]

[CentralCali]

Ruby Thursday: When it comes to vigilante action, don't be surprised at anything, anything at all, that comes from Steel Rails.

[cisco kid]

There has been too much violence, too much pain.
None here are without sin.

But I have an honorable compromise.
Just walk away.

Give me the girl, the fighting, the videos, and all your solutions, and I'll spare your lives.



Just walk away.
I will give you safe passage in the Wasteland.
Just walk away and there will be an end to the horror.

[Kuros]

It seems very Neo-Confucian to let family, or failing that, those already known to each other, sort everything out themselves.

Westerners believe everyone owes a duty to take reasonable precautions and act reasonably to everyone else. How many Koreans believe this? How foreign an idea is this to Neo-Confucianism?

The concept of duty is different for the average Korean, is it not? Isn't that why Koreans are hesitant to introduce new people to each other? They want to limit their social responsibility. Because let's be honest, Koreans WILL go to great lengths to help others when they perceive a duty to do so. The standard of care expected among compatriots and especially family is fairly high. But the duty arises more reluctantly and upon more narrow conditions.

That's why its so irritating to be a Westerner and a foreigner in Korea. The duty you'd immediately give to others is not as forthcoming from them. The foundations of reciprocity we have come to rely upon since childhood have been radically altered.

[Steelrails]