Korean Job Discussion Forums

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

What would you do in this situation?

I just thought I would ask the question for this situation that happened to some people standing near me. Wasn't me, but could have been.

I was waiting ast the bus stop, standing between 2 posts. It's the best place to avoid pushing anyone or being pushed. These 3 ajummas (about 50 yrs old each) were yapping away and acting like hyperactive children. They were moving around blocking the sidewalk somewhat.

I saw this old man coming. He looked to be about 75-80 and his right hip looked like it was caved in. He was walking (very slowly) with a cane. When he got near the ajummas, he shouted '비켜' (get the fook out of the way), and then took 2 more steps. The ajummas either didn't hear him or ignored him.

This time he swung his cane at them and shouted '비켜' again, this time literally screaming at them with all he had. 1 ajumma finally noticed him and moved out of the way, bowing in that apologetic way. The old man continued to stare at them with this really angry look, cursing them in impolite Korean and waving his cane at them.

The Grumpy Senator · Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Location: Up and down the 6 line

I guess the answer you are looking for is:

"I would taken his cane and beat him senseless with it. Damn Koreans, ruined Korea!!!"

Does this satisfy your Korean-bashing urge for the day?

crusher_of_heads · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 5:40 am Post subject:

Good on the old man-he probably knows these old bags are ignorant all the time and the best thing is to treat them the way they deserve.

Billy Pilgrim · Joined: 08 Sep 2004

I would have laughed quietly to myself if I had seen what you did. I have little sympathy for cackling middle aged women.

If it were me, I would have grinned and let him pass. You get to be 80, *beep* it, do what you want.

DrunkenMaster · Joined: 04 Feb 2008

I would have applauded.

Adventurer · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

I would have had the presence of mind to notice the man was coming and not be in his way. People should check to see if people are trying to get by. I am sure it annoys the old man, not that he should swear. I would probably tell the man to take it easy. I wouldn't swear at him, but probably wouldn't take too well to him being very impolite. I wouldn't use the same words on him.

Scotticus · Joined: 18 Mar 2007

Why is he a "crazy" old angry man? Asshole, impatient, boorish? Maybe, but I think crazy is coloring things a bit too negatively. He had reason to be mad... I'm young and can ignore and go around all the clueless hags that I encounter. However, if I was crippled and walking with a cane, I'd probably take their complete lack of spatial awareness more personally. He was in the wrong for flipping shit on them, but I understand where he was coming from.

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Location: Middle Land

Remember...

Manners in Asia are different than in Euro-centric societies.

It was rude for the ajjumas to not move for him, in Korea.

Remember, you are not in Sydney, London, or New York.

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

Depends on the situation and traffic.

Was the bus loading passengers? If so, and the ajummas were standing in the way, anyone has the right to get trough.

Was the old man just trying to be in the front of the line and no bus was loading? If so, I wouldn't give 2 shits if he swung a cane at some ajummas. Ajummas shove and push every day, let them get hit. But if the old man cut in front of me, or God help him, he hit me with cane, I would either cut in front of him and challenge his bravery or taken his cane away and broken it in front of his face. I wouldn't hit him, even if he hit me with his cane, because it would be too easy to hurt him.

blaseblasphemener · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 9:07 am Post subject:

What's with middle-aged Korean women having their heads up their asses 99% of the time? and god do they love to see who can talk the loudest as soon as they enter a public indoor area. Shut the *beep* up will ya!

Easter Clark · Joined: 18 Nov 2007 Location: Hiding from Yie Eun-woong

^

This phenomenon isn't unique to Korea:

Obviously Irritating

mistermasan · Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Location: 10+ yrs on Dave's ESL cafe

delete

happeningthang · Joined: 26 Apr 2003

I spent a few months with a leg in heavy plaster trying to get around and do my thing. It was a constant struggle with every movement a source of pain and discomfort. My patience was wafer thin with the idiots that caused me additional discomfort by throwing me off my stride.

From the description this old boy wasn't able to walk with ease, and I can well imagine the frustration and irritation he would've felt. If the OP was so concerned with the friction this caused why not point him out to the ajummas?

xingyiman · Joined: 12 Jan 2006

poet13 · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 5:14 pm Post subject:

If there are three people standing talking to each other, then chances are incredibly slim that no one saw him.
One of the ajummas ignored him.
Good on him.

I have started to hold my ground with ajjumas. Yesterday at Rich Mart I was against the chest freezer choosing a package of shrimp. Ajumma pushes her cart against me. Not hard. But she did it FOUR times. Each time more insistent than the last. Opposite me, there is a tofu making stand. Two ladies and a guy. They all stopped to watch this lady push against me. She was just letting me know I was in her way. She could have easily gone around. "HAJIMA!!! STOP DOING THAT YOU CRAZY PERSON!" while pushing her cart away from me. One tofu lady had to turn away to hide her smile. The guy wasn't quite so shy, and laughed out loud. Lady was shocked, shocked shocked that someone would speak to her like that.

I felt just a little smug.