Korean Job Discussion Forums

[lostandforgotten]

We were at a coffee shop the other day. There were 4 of us - me, my friend who is a white american, a Chinese-American and a Korean man. While my self-proclaimed-American-bum friend was talking, a Korean man behind us told him to lower his voice in Korean because he was too loud. My so called self-proclaimed-American-bum friend got all furious and fired back with, "Kiss my white ass, you yellow monkey!". I'm now wondering whether I should keep him as a friend or leave him. What do you think? Did he show his true side the other day or did he just say it out of anger?

[riley]

Deja Vu!

[widespread123]

I don't really think that is grounds to drop someone as a friend. He could have been

a.) trying to be funny
b.) having a bad day
c.) racist

I had a roommate from Louisiana who was as racist as it came. He is still one of my best friends, I just try not to bring up certain subjects that would bring out certain responses.

[Zark]

I am approaching your question straight up as I am guessing/hoping it is not just a troll.

I am often as far away from PC as one can get, but I would find it difficult to maintain a friendship with someone who has that kind of thinking in their head.

My guess is that his frame of mind comes out in LOTS of other ways as well.

You don't even have to get into the race issue - just starting out with "Kiss my a*ss" says he approaches things from a point of being angry and confrontational.

Perhaps a humorous reply would have been more appropriate? Koreans are often quite easy to cajole with a smile and a little humor.

Living and working in other countries mean you often come across such contacts with local folks - if you took them too seriously, you would soon find yourself in many a stew.

I'm not suggesting he fold his card hand because he had a difference with someone (the Korean guy), but there were far better ways to deal with the situation that came up - no?

For me here's the real issue. When you live overseas you will often meet people who have lots of problems - and they will like/enjoy/want you to get involved in their problems - and they will often create them just to do that. To me - that's where this one is leading.

I've made a studied practice of avoiding such people. But that's just me. It might mean I have fewer friends, and yep - I don't have a lot. But I do find my friends to be a very reliable lot who are quite good at taking care of themselves.

The situation you mention could have been just a one off - that's always possible, but my guess is you will see more of this and may wish you had extricated yourself earlier in the relationship.

All this I say only because I have met, perhaps, more than my share of nutcases, psychopaths and just plain maladjusted people - in my home country as well as overseas. Location doesn't matter, but you do tend to find a fair amount of people living overseas hoping to escape themselves, which, of course - is impossible. And - the stresses of living overseas can knock most of us out of balance from time to time anyway.

Only suggesting that you keep your eyes open - and, my apologies for such a long babble on the issue . . .

[vaberella]

[keysbottles]

Many of the Koreans that I am around are loud,,,maybe he considered this comment as the pot calling the kettle black,,,He was socializing with persons from China and Korea,,,that does not imply racist.

No one can make a judgment from one action, but your calling him a bum also implies you have already made up your mind about him?

[riley]

Seriously, didn't you post this last night?

Look at the OP's posts and you'll see he already posted this same topic earlier with the exact same wording. Why the reposting? Are you trolling?

[vaberella]

[Don Calliente]

Not sure if your friend is a racist as he could just have been having a bad day and that might be out of his normal character...

I hate it when Koreans ask me and friends to be quiet when we're being no more noisy than they are and they just don't want to hear foriengers enjoying themselves. However, I'll either just tell them to p1ss off or tell them they;re being as loud as us and tough sh^t. No need to use the terms 'white arse' and 'Yellow Monkey.'

It was a very racist comment and if he continues using such epithets - yes, he's racist, or at least his speach is.

[SuperFly]

Monkeys are agressive. Did you read the thread about Monkeys in India?

[RACETRAITOR]

We can't ignore the rudeness aspect too. This guy was talking too loud, and when he was politely told to keep his voice down, he snapped at the guy.

[browneyedgirl]

I'm gussing he's not a fan of Japanese music....YELLOW MONKEYの情報

[Don Calliente]

[lostandforgotten]

[RACETRAITOR]