Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ReeseDog]

Quite a few of the posts here detail rude behavior toward foreigners by Koreans of all ages. Are posters here just having "bad Korea days" and coming to Dave's to vent, or is this rudeness the rule rather than the exception?

Another question worth asking: Could foreigners' perceptions of rudeness perhaps generate from their own cultural preconceptions concerning courtesy, or is rude behavior rude the world over?

[The Grumpy Senator]

Cue Miles Rationis Korea-bashing.....5...4...3...2...1....

[afsjesse]

It is true and rather unfortunate that OPS here on this site are rather negative toward Korea. I think its because their perceptions of behavior differ from that of Western societies. That, along with being screwed by your jobs or misinterpreting a gesture by a local.

[ReeseDog]

[ZenMoto]

It's like anywhere else in the world. I've had beautiful unsolicited acts of kindness and then I've had rude, nasty, pompus behavior as well...Just depends on the day...Overall I've been very pleased with my treatment after 6 months. Koreans are mostly very kind and helpful to me.

[Captain Corea]

[Imrahil]

I agree with CC. For the most part you really do find what you are looking for here. I have lived here for almost 6 years and have had a fairly good time here. I have made many Koreans friend and generally find them as fairly nice people. To me the trick is to meet Koreans outside of Korea. I have met rude Koreans but mostly they have just been in academies. The ones outside of academies have not been any ruder then what I would meet back in my home country.

[crusher_of_heads]

no, they are rude.


However, be open to the good things-I've gotten a ride home from my gym by the same lady 3 times the past week and a half-it's only 15 minutes walking, but there are considerate people out there.

[DCJames]

They are rude. We need to call them on it.

The other day, I'm in line to buy some mandoo. I 'm in front of an ajuma in line waiting for my order to come. WHILE I'm waiting she has her money in her hand and is pushing it in front of me to pay for her order. Her hand is literally inches from my face.

I slap her hand away with my elbow which puts her in silent shock. I pay for my mandoo and leave while she tries to understand what happpen.

[jetrash]

to generalise

the ladies are very very kind... the men just spit n smoke

that "ajima' shove thing is evaporating i think..saw more of that here 6 yrs ago.

the good ole ajossies are hanging in there..they will die out before they change.
guy really shoved/wacked me for fun this week on subway..i shoved him back,till he almost fell..then smiled and said.."so sorry" in my best jeremy irons voice, and departed on my way.

these older men were mainly farmers, crapping in the fields,living in tumble down slums, only 30 yrs ago .
modernity has confused them.

they dont yet quite know and understand the etiquette of subways,driving,hygene etc etc.


However,the women ALWAYS have had to be kind/giving to these creeps( because of strictly enforced Confusion age/sex rules) so being kind and polite is not,for many of them,such a cultural leap

[laogaiguk]

Have to be careful defining what is rude and what isn't. There are some things they do here that seem to defy most other countries ideas of rude (and I don't mean just the West).

[jetrash]

rude = VIOLENT PHYSICAL SHOVING

which c u l t u r e accepts this?
pray enlighten.

[mrsquirrel]

[egrog1717]

[jetrash]