Korean Job Discussion Forums

Dukey77777 · Joined: 28 Jun 2007 Location: Chungcheongbuk-do

I've heard it so many times on this board...."why won't other foreigners randomly come up to me and talk to me?"

Why am I obligated to talk to other white people just because I'm white?

Would I randomly talk to you in your/our home country? No.

What are the chances I would be friends with you in your/our home country? Less than 50%? Probably.

You don't talk to random people on a NYC subway, so I don't really get why you would do it in a Seoul subway, or for that matter, on any subway. I myself live in a smaller city in Korea, where there's less than 100 (maybe 50) foreigners. I just don't feel the need to be friends with everyone, simply because "we're all in this together." Horses**t. I pick my friends because of personality, not convenience.

Some may read this and think I'm antisocial or angry or whatever....in Korea a foreigner can't help but be a little on the introverted side....but I'm just sick of reading why YOU can't make friends because I'm going about MY business.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

This is going to be a LONG THREAD...heh heh.

Nice work, Dukey77777, I am honored to be the second one to post on it. Cool

VIVA LA THREAD!

xingyiman · Joined: 12 Jan 2006

If foreigners don't stop and talk to me wherever I go then they are the scum of the earth! They should bow and kiss my signet ring!

Jeff's Cigarettes · Joined: 27 Mar 2007

Yeah, great thread! BTW, how many times has this been hashed already? Ducky777, do me a big favor and stop talking to me, NOW!

zipperhead2 · Joined: 13 Oct 2008

Do me a favor, leave me alone. Evil or Very Mad

Straphanger · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Chilgok, Korea

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

"Hey, you're white? Cool, me too. So...ever been to any white pride parades?"

jkelly80 · Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Location: you boys like mexico?

Wait so we're just a couple of white people? You wanna go to the Gap?

pidgin · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Location: Seoul

no comment

IncognitoHFX · Joined: 06 May 2007 Location: Yeongtong, Suwon

Hi! I see that you have a big nose. I have a big nose as well. Would you like to go to the park and smell some flowers with me and do other big nosey things?

After, we can go to my house and watch [generic hollywood movie here] and listen to [generic Western rap/dance/rock/pop music here]. Isn't it so great to have an [American/Canadian/European/Australian/South African] best friend!

pidgin · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Location: Seoul

Look em' dead in the eye with an evil sneer (pointing your finger):

Evil or Very Mad

"Are YOU American?" Twisted Evil

blurgalurgalurga · Joined: 18 Oct 2007

STRANGER DANGER! STRANGER DANGER!

Are you guys serious? Are you really that precious, you're automatically pissed off when a stranger approaches you?

Well, have fun with that...sounds like a real good time...every time somebody says 'hey,' you get to scoot off home to your grotto, sit in front of your computer, squint and grimace like a constipated baby, and fire off some indignant missive to A BUNCH OF PEOPLE ON DAVE'S YOU NEVER F**KING MET.

It's cool to yammer at strangers on the internet, but not in real life?

Jesus, you guys, stop being so precious...somebody you don't want to talk to tries to chat you up, tell 'em to piss off. Be honest! Say 'hey, I'm an ingrown peenis, and I don't want to talk to you.'

It'll work every time, I swear.

prideofidaho · Joined: 19 Mar 2008

sarbonn · Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Location: Michigan

Um, I held random conversations with four separate people today by just wandering up to them and talking. Not everyone expects OTHERS to come up to them.

nizpaz · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul, South Korea

It's really nothing to do with being white, it's more about being obviously foreign. And the explanation is very simple, and very human.

It's easy to feel isolated in Korea. The expat community is spread out, a foreigner is housed alone and works alone in quite a closed society. There are many issues which make it difficult to form friendships here. Especially when you first arrive. Isolation can be a killer.

The reason solitary confinement is the worst punishment in prision is that we are (on the whole) social beings and being alone too much can play vudoo with your mind. (Ya only have to read some posts here to see that...) Rolling Eyes

I've found myself striking up random conversations with other foreigners where I wouldn't have done back home. I don't expect, but I often find it's mutually plesant. I've also walked past someone and wished I had spoken to them afterwards.

So I'd say OP cut people some slack and have a lil warmth. Sure in London, NYC we probably wouldn't do it, but the need to do so is less.

A smile or a casual conversation doesn't really hurt now does it?