Korean Job Discussion Forums

byunhosa · Joined: 18 Jan 2006 Location: Center Ice

So on Fri evening, after having dinner with a Korean colleague of mine, we decided to head to Itaewon for a few beers. Given that he is the olderish type, I thought from the descriptions on this Board that 3 Alleys Pub would suit him, so we headed over there. I myself had never been in this place before.

I opened a tab with my credit card and we ordered two draft beers. We took our seats near the pool table there. While chatting and drinking our beers, we were accosted at least 4 times in less than 15 minutes by increasingly impatient staff asking if we were going to order more beers.

After contacting my colleague's friend, we decided to move on to another place. The woman behind the counter told me the bill was 6,000 KRW, and after she rolled her eyes at my attempt to pay with the credit card, I handed her a 10,000 won bill, collected my change and credit card, and joined my friend already out on the street.

We start up the alley and all of a sudden the adjeosshi comes charging out yelling my name. I stopped and he told me that I did not pay the bill. I calmly explained to him that I did, and paid in cash, that it was 6,000 KRW and I had received 4,000 in return (admittedly I did not grab the receipt, which I should have; no, I was not intoxicated). He insists that I come back in the bar.

I reluctantly follow and am a bit annoyed and embarrassed. I point out the woman behind the bar who took my money, and explain that not 20 seconds ago I had paid her the required amount. There is some grumbling but finally she admits that she did take my money, but does not apologize.

I walk out by my friend is irate and says he will never patronize the place again. I am a bit annoyed at being treated like a punk but I didn't get too excited about it.

Has anyone else been treated similarly at this place? This is not a "racism" story, but I thought their behavior was strange at best and downright dishonest at worst.

cbclark4 · Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Location: Masan

It happened to me in the states before. Simple misunderstanding in a fast paced business.

I would refrain from using a credit card in most establishments in Itaewon.

princess · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: soul of Asia

Even better, don't hang in the arm pit of Seoul that is Itaewon. Why are foreigners so obsessed with Itaewon? I like th big three myself...Apgu/Cheongdam/Sinsa. Throw in Gangnam, too.

cdninkorea · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

The one and only time I've been there my friend and I were constantly being asked, with ever-increasing levels of impatience and annoyance, whether we'd like another round of beers.

And while the accusation of not paying may have been an honest mistake, an apology is definitely in order.

Newbie · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

There have been some horror stories on Dave's about the place.

I've never had any problems, though. Could be cuz I knew (slightly) one of the owners before he was an owner.

For your experience, one thing I'm thinking.... It is Rugby World Cup season and that place can get nuts around that time. Don't know if any games were showing when you were there, but it could be a possibility.

sojourner1 · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 2:33 am Post subject:

Shame on 3 Alley pub, that's no way to treat paying customers. They should had given you an apology and a 50,000 won certificate towards food and beer.

I often wondered if this lie happens in convenience stores in most countries where you pay and don't get a receipt. I am often paranoid in the back of my mind that someone's going to say I didn't pay or the police are going to come after me for not paying when I did pay. I have heard numerous stories of this happening at gas stations in the states where you pay, walk back out to your car in a big cluttered concrete sea of gas pumps, and drive off only to be pulled over with police saying you were reported as not having paid. People have gotten in big trouble wrongly over this mishap where they simply didn't see correctly who actually stole the gas due to big vehicles blocking their view or they simply didn't personally like you for unknown reasons.

I make it a point to ask for receipts when in the states. Often, sales clerks ask if I want the receipt and I take it. I never was comfortable with walking out of any store without a receipt for this very reason.

I believe there is less risk of this happening in Korea than in the states, but it happens.

cbclark4 · Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Location: Masan

The staff probably gets paid on commission, it's a hustle either way.

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

YES!!!

This is a very annoying thing which the staff is pressed to do.

I refuse to drink there for this very reason.

On one occasion, it ended with Gunther (the owner) getting a beat-down years back.

itaewonguy · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

customer service in korea??? hahahah

and that new canadian owner should know better! tell the staff to open their eyes!!! when the glass is empty ask the customer if he would like another! not when he has just taken a sip of the beer you put down 2 minutes ago!! MORON!!!!

byunhosa · Joined: 18 Jan 2006 Location: Center Ice

I am keenly aware that Itaewon is a dump, and I am nowhere near "obsessed" with it. However, I had been (mis)informed that this was a relatively civilized place. We were having dinner at a kogi chip near Samgakji so it was convenient.

The bar was not terribly crowded, so I do not think that was the problem.

It is obviously not a big deal but I really hate being treated like a hoodlum and a dirtbag, when I am neither. I was a new customer, well behaved and was dressed professionally in a business suit. It was really embarrassing to have the guy run down the street yelling my name and accuse me of being a deadbeat, then having to walk back into the bar and argue about it. All over 6,000 Won and their mistake.

I meet this friend basically quarterly, and he has vowed never to return to 3AP again, so it is basically academic now.

SeoulShakin · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

Natalie · Joined: 16 Apr 2007

OK. This has been bugging me for months. There is a woman that works at 3 Alley with long straight hair, early thirties I'd guess. All the other younger staff look like students and are OK.
She could be beautiful but she has a constant scowl on her face and is a real B****. I can understand a little impatience working in hospitality, but she is always SO SO rude, especially to women....and especially to attractive women. I conclude that she feels threatened. But thats no excuse. Anyone know who I'm talking about?

Oh, and OP,...the INCESSANT drink thing is ridiculous. One time I almost screamed, "YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING RIGHT? I'VE BEEN ASKED 10 TIMES IN THE LAST 30 MINUTES IF I WANT ANOTHER BEER AND 5 TIMES SOMEONE HAS TRIED TO TAKE AWAY MY GLASS THAT ISN'T EVEN EMPTY YET. IF I WANT A BEER I'LL ASK FOR ONE"...luckily I controlled myself and it just came out as a loud order. Don't know why I keep going back there. Think I'm done with that place.

Oh and NEVER order their nachos. 7 000 won gets you a plate of dry corn chips with a tiny side of canned salsa. No cheese, meat, beans nothing.
Just dry chips Shocked

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

Yeah the last time we went, one of the waitress was so rude - she plonked our food down and left.. the food almost came flying out of the plate.

Never again...

wo buxihuan hanguoren · Joined: 18 Apr 2007 Location: Suyuskis

That Korean guy that works there is really friendly I think.

As for being disturbed for a drink, I'd rather have that than having to struggle to attract someone's attention to get another one (which is common with that miserable Filipina waitress across the road in Scrooge's).