Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Khenan]

I was riding the subway home from work today, and was offered a seat by an older gentleman. By looks, I would place him somewhere in his sixties. He stood up and grabbed/shook my arm, and told me to "sit, please sit." I tried to refuse, and indicated through gestures that he should keep his seat, but he was having none of it. I took the seat, somewhat embarassed. When my stop came, I thanked him, and he saluted me. This is the first time anyone has ackowledged me in any real way on the subway, so it really stuck with me. Just thought I would share.

[Ya-ta Boy]

The same has happened to me several times. It's always been by old women/men. I think they are cute and have a lot more manners than younger people.

[babtangee]

[lastat06513]

He might've mistaken you for an American soldier

[blaseblasphemener]

I've had amazing help from senior citizens in Seoul while I've been trying to get around the subway (I've never lived in Seoul, always visiting). It's always been guys, and I always assume they remember the soldiers that fought for Korea. It is really cool to see that, and to know that many people don't forget the sacrifices of our grandfathers and fathers.

[Bibbitybop]

[moosehead]

I've had similar experiences and actually believe this behavior is detrimental to us foreigners as a whole-

why?

because it reinforces the belief some (K) people feel that we think we are entitled to special behavior, that we are superior, that we are special or better than Ks in general.

I don't want or require specialized attention, I only want to be treated as an equal, nothing more, nothing less. that's it.

I certainly don't want attention pointed my way for unwarranted reasons; usually I just wish to be left alone and go about my business, just as anyone else would (does).

[jay-shi]

[Ya-ta Boy]

There's no way anyone would mistake me for military or a woman. In the times it's happened to me, it's always been when a seat behind me opens up and an old man or woman has reached over and tugged my sleeve to let me know. When it's happened, I've been the oldest one standing, so I interpret it as 'good manners' and not preferential treatment for foreigners. In those situations I've felt I was being treated as an equal in terms of Korean culture.


PS: I do find it annoying that there are several posts here by people trying to dismiss positive acts by Koreans. On days when I'm feeling generous, I put that kind of posting down to culture shock. On other days...

[Chicoloco]

[Khenan]

No, I'm not a chick, and I'd be pretty surprised if anyone mistook me for one Nor am I military, but the thought had occured to me that he thought I was. You'd have to be pretty unfamilliar with the U.S. military to mistake me for one, though. I maintain a professional appearance at work, and was wearing a nice shirt and tie at the time. Plus, my hair is too long.

I think the salute was something he pulled out from his own military training. Regarding whether or not this special treatment is detrimental to us in general, I'm not sure that I can agree. Granted, I'm relatively new to the country, so I certainly don't have the experience to back up my opinion. If anything, maybe all the younger people in the train noticed and caught on that their elders still have respect for us. Some of them, anyway.

[kiwiduncan]

I've told this story before here but it's worth telling again....

A few years ago in Seoul my expensive, well-loved mountain bike was stolen from an old co-worker's place. I was absolutely devastated and pissed-off about losing my precious and I spent several days going around bike shops and police stations trying to trace it (I got it back three years later - another story).

During these days I spent a lot of time on the subway, feeling really pissed off, angry and ready to burst into flames at the slightest provocation.

One day, in the midst of some thoughts about what a shitty, thieving country Korea was, an old man started talking to me. I wasn't that warm in my reponses at first, I wished he'd just bugger off. He asked me where I was from, and when I said New Zealand he said

"Many New Zealand people came to Korea many years ago and died while helping defend us during the war. Thank you very much."

I nearly cried. I certainly forgot about my bike for a while. His brief words really put things into perspective.

[Khenan]

That's a good story. It's surprising how many countries sent soldiers here during the war. I never knew until I did some reading before moving here. In the U.S., the Korean war is not part of the standard history curricula. Strange, since it's one of the last wars where we actually did some good. Anyway, thanks for sharing.