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Julius
Joined: 27 Jul 2006
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 Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 7:32 pm Post subject: Do you complain about Korea to your Korean friends? |
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have you had detailed discussions with your K-friends about what its like to be a foreigner here? The only time I ever mentioned anything to them was that I get stared at a lot and that it was uncomfortable. They apologized to me...
Apart from that I just wouldn't whine about daily difficulties or "racism" to them. Sensitive subject and they don't really deserve to hear all that after being such good friends.Besides, I think they're aware of it anyway as they probably get funny looks when they're out and about with me.
It seems strange sometimes to be treated so warmly by the koreans that know you. Then minutes later as you are walking home, you return to alien status on the street.
Oh well.. |
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The_Eyeball_Kid
Joined: 20 Jun 2007
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| Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 7:38 pm Post subject: Re: Do you complain about Korea to your Korean friends? |
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| Julius wrote: |
have you had detailed discussions with your K-friends about what its like to be a foreigner here? The only time I ever mentioned anything to them was that I get stared at a lot and that it was uncomfortable. They apologized to me...
Apart from that I just wouldn't whine about daily difficulties or "racism" to them. Sensitive subject and they don't really deserve to hear all that after being such good friends.Besides, I think they're aware of it anyway as they probably get funny looks when they're out and about with me.
It seems strange sometimes to be treated so warmly by the koreans that know you. Then minutes later as you are walking home, you return to alien status on the street.
Oh well.. |
Complain? Oh God, yeah. Most of them understand perfectly well. Mind you, being friends of mine, they are naturally of a very particular refinement. |
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kiwiliz
Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Location: New Zealand
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| Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 7:49 pm Post subject: |
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Yep, and as the OP above, if they are my friends they are more understanding and are also realistic in knowing Korea isn't perfect...no country is. (before I get jumped on) .
My friends are Koreans with open minds..I have only made a few Korean friends in the time I have been here. |
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kermo
Joined: 01 Sep 2004
Location: Eating eggs, with a comb, out of a shoe.
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| Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 7:53 pm Post subject: |
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My friend came out with me in our smallish town to get a monthly-paid cell phone in my own name. She got pretty frustrated as she watched people make up reasons not to sell one to me. I didn't have to elaborate much at that point on how it feels to be a foreigner.
I don't usually rant to Korean people, though I have openly questioned the sense of "global ATMs" that don't allow foreign money INTO the country. |
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butlerian
Joined: 04 Sep 2006
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 7:59 pm Post subject: |
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| kermo wrote: |
My friend came out with me in our smallish town to get a monthly-paid cell phone in my own name. She got pretty frustrated as she watched people make up reasons not to sell one to me. I didn't have to elaborate much at that point on how it feels to be a foreigner.
I don't usually rant to Korean people, though I have openly questioned the sense of "global ATMs" that don't allow foreign money INTO the country. |
Too much dependence on foreign money and/or investment can lead to instability in an economy. |
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ajgeddes
Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Location: Yongsan
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| Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 8:03 pm Post subject: |
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| butlerian wrote: |
| kermo wrote: |
My friend came out with me in our smallish town to get a monthly-paid cell phone in my own name. She got pretty frustrated as she watched people make up reasons not to sell one to me. I didn't have to elaborate much at that point on how it feels to be a foreigner.
I don't usually rant to Korean people, though I have openly questioned the sense of "global ATMs" that don't allow foreign money INTO the country. |
Too much dependence on foreign money and/or investment can lead to instability in an economy. |
Yeah, people will be pulling billions from ATM's.  |
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kermo
Joined: 01 Sep 2004
Location: Eating eggs, with a comb, out of a shoe.
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| Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 8:06 pm Post subject: |
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| butlerian wrote: |
| kermo wrote: |
My friend came out with me in our smallish town to get a monthly-paid cell phone in my own name. She got pretty frustrated as she watched people make up reasons not to sell one to me. I didn't have to elaborate much at that point on how it feels to be a foreigner.
I don't usually rant to Korean people, though I have openly questioned the sense of "global ATMs" that don't allow foreign money INTO the country. |
Too much dependence on foreign money and/or investment can lead to instability in an economy. |
Probably just a boom in the beer industry. |
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blondebecky
Joined: 22 Jul 2006
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| Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 8:07 pm Post subject: |
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| kermo wrote: |
My friend came out with me in our smallish town to get a monthly-paid cell phone in my own name. She got pretty frustrated as she watched people make up reasons not to sell one to me. I didn't have to elaborate much at that point on how it feels to be a foreigner.
I don't usually rant to Korean people, though I have openly questioned the sense of "global ATMs" that don't allow foreign money INTO the country. |
I (too) often complain about the constant staring and other tribulations to my hubby My husband feels offended on my behalf, however as there's nothing he can do to control other people's behaviour, these conversations are usually frustrating for both of us and achieve nothing. |
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RACETRAITOR
Joined: 24 Oct 2005
Location: Seoul, South Korea
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| Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 8:09 pm Post subject: |
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| I don't complain to Koreans about Korea, but I do react to certain things and respond to them. Overall my Korean friends do more complaining than I do. |
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Atavistic
Joined: 22 May 2006
Location: How totally stupid that Korean doesn't show in this area.
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| Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 8:17 pm Post subject: |
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| Yes. |
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Dome Vans
Guest
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| Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 8:38 pm Post subject: |
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| RACETRAITOR wrote: |
| I don't complain to Koreans about Korea, but I do react to certain things and respond to them. Overall my Korean friends do more complaining than I do. |
Yep! The only thing that I react to every single day is the driving. But the Koreans agree that they're terrible at it. I comment because as a passenger I'm gonna be involved in a crash soon, and I don't like crashs. So I'll comment on things that directly affect me. Being stared at is no problem. Having kids pull the hair on my hand is!!! |
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Kenny Kimchee
Joined: 12 May 2003
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| Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 8:43 pm Post subject: |
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No. Why should they have to endure that? I'm American - does that mean that everyone who wants to bitch about American foreign policy should file their complaints with me? I'm not responsible for the actions of my government and my Korean friends aren't responsible for the actions of their fellow Koreans. Besides, how do you expect them to understand your complaints - this is their society, after all, so I don't imagine the same things bother them.
Six years ago I used to whinge about Korea to my Korean (now ex-) girlfriend. I would never do that now; it just places unnecessary strain on the relationship.
Frankly, I hang out with the Koreans so I can get away from the negativity of my Western friends. I like hanging out with other Westerners, but 90% of the time the conversation turns into a Korea bitvh fest. I have enough difficulties trying to keep a sunny disposition without the negativity of others. |
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ajgeddes
Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Location: Yongsan
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| Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 8:45 pm Post subject: |
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| Kenny Kimchee wrote: |
No. Why should they have to endure that? I'm American - does that mean that everyone who wants to *beep* about American foreign policy should file their complaints with me? I'm not responsible for the actions of my government and my Korean friends aren't responsible for the actions of their fellow Koreans. Besides, how do you expect them to understand your complaints - this is their society, after all, so I don't imagine the same things bother them.
Six years ago I used to whinge about Korea to my Korean (now ex-) girlfriend. I would never do that now; it just places unnecessary strain on the relationship.
Frankly, I hang out with the Koreans so I can get away from the negativity of my Western friends. I like hanging out with other Westerners, but 90% of the time the conversation turns into a Korea bitvh fest. I have enough difficulties trying to keep a sunny disposition without the negativity of others. |
Get new friends. |
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Typhoon
Joined: 29 May 2007
Location: Daejeon
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| Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 8:49 pm Post subject: |
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| I am a complainer. I complain a lot. So yes I complain to Koreans about Korea, to Canadians about Canada, to taxi drivers about taxi drivers, etc. Sometimes hearing about something from another perspective will help to improve a behaviour or at least to become more aware of it. For example, most taxi drivers here are unaware that they drive like retarded monkeys. When you inform them of this fact they are surprised, but may eventually try to drive like monkeys instead of retarded monkeys. Just my two cents. |
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Captain Corea
Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 9:28 pm Post subject: |
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'Complain' would be the wrong word, we 'discuss' things and life here.
Isn't that what friends do? |
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