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Magog
Joined: 09 Feb 2003
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Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2003 8:32 pm Post subject: Can Koreans detect a newbie? |
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Often I wounder if the average korean thinks your just off the boat or are more familar with the surroundings? (This is a simliar question to "what you know a korean thinks you dont"?).
Without opening your mouth how would anyone including other westerners detect you are a newbie or not?
My guess is they realise its when you loose that wandering around looking at everthing like a tourist habit you have in a new place. |
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weatherman

Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: Korea
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Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2003 9:36 pm Post subject: |
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I would say it has to do with how much exposure that Korean has had to other foreigners. If he/she hasn't had much interpersonal experience, I would say he/she might assume that you would be a newbie, but if he/she has had dealings and takes the time to notice you, I would assume that he/she might be able to figure it out. This is my take, what are others? |
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Cabbit

Joined: 19 Jan 2003
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Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2003 10:33 pm Post subject: |
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Its hard to say as everyone has a different look about them, I have been here over 2 years and think I still have that newbie glow. Im always looking around with big eyes.....I dont think it will ever wear off. So everyone treats me like Im new here all the time (strangers that is) and its nice. |
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Zyzyfer

Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Location: who, what, where, when, why, how?
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Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2003 5:30 am Post subject: |
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If they could, they wouldn't be asking you 50 times a day "How long have you been in Korea?", now would they? |
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yodanole
Joined: 02 Mar 2003 Location: La Florida
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Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2003 8:01 am Post subject: Newbie |
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It's written all over their faces. Where am I? What am I doing here? Where's a toilet? Is that kimchi? Come on! |
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The King of Kwangju

Joined: 10 Feb 2003 Location: New York City
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Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2003 8:28 am Post subject: |
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You've got to be kidding!
A buddy of mine has been in Korea more than 30 years, and Koreans who know this still tell him:
"You use chopsticks very well." |
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Tiger Beer

Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2004 10:04 pm Post subject: |
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Magog wrote: |
Often I wounder if the average korean thinks your just off the boat or are more familar with the surroundings? |
A simple answer will do, "NO". Koreans can't tell. No matter what you do, what you know, what you say, no matter how many times you bring them to places that they themselves have never heard of before. No matter what you could possibly ever do, all Koreans will think you just arrived here yesterday.
No matter what you do, suddenly at the most bizarre moments, with the Koreans you think know you the best, suddenly one will ask 'have you tried Korean food before?' or 'you should try soju, its our Korean drink', or 'isn't it too spicy for you?'
Anyhow, in short, NO, Koreans will never be able to consider for a moment that you aren't anything but a newbie.. but isn't that part of their charm? Ahmm.. no. |
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peppermint

Joined: 13 May 2003 Location: traversing the minefields of caddishness.
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Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2004 10:10 pm Post subject: |
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I don't even think so many foreigners can tell. Some people will always look helpless like newbies.  |
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Tiger Beer

Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2004 10:14 pm Post subject: |
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peppermint wrote: |
I don't even think so many foreigners can tell. Some people will always look helpless like newbies.  |
Great technique to meet girls.. (or guys) depending on preference..
But regarding 'not even foreigners can tell'. Yes, I agree. Many times when I've met a new foreigner, particularly one who has been here within a certain time frame, they seem to assume everyone else *just* got here and feel intent to educate you. Generally. |
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matthewwoodford

Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Location: Location, location, location.
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Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2004 3:40 am Post subject: |
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The King of Kwangju wrote: |
You've got to be kidding!
A buddy of mine has been in Korea more than 30 years, and Koreans who know this still tell him:
"You use chopsticks very well." |
Is there any other possible explanation for that other than sheer cretinism? Oh yes: racism. Other than cretinism or racism, is there any reason for that? |
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Mr. Pink

Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China
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Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2004 3:43 am Post subject: |
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The King of Kwangju wrote: |
You've got to be kidding!
A buddy of mine has been in Korea more than 30 years, and Koreans who know this still tell him:
"You use chopsticks very well." |
When you got the skill, they give you props. I use chopsticks better than most Koreans...not my words, but props given to me by numerous Koreans. |
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Ilsanman

Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea
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Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2004 5:48 am Post subject: yes |
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One hint is when you are constantly looking at maps, and things like that. I have only been offered help one time in the last 3 months. |
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tomato

Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Location: I get so little foreign language experience, I must be in Koreatown, Los Angeles.
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Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2004 2:13 pm Post subject: |
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I had to take a trip to Seoul yesterday.
I always dread going to Seoul, because the city abounds with people subway passengers who say, "Can I help you," store clerks who show me the calculator, and various other people who remind me how stupid I look.
But this time it wasn't so bad.
Maybe I am learning how to assume the self-reliant look. |
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Yesterday

Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Land of the Morning DongChim (Kancho)
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Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2004 2:28 pm Post subject: What is this Cafe's definition of a newbie? |
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Just wanted to know - what is regarded as a newbie?
Someone who has been here 0-6 months/6-12 months/ 1-2 years / 3-5 years / (in time)..
Is it worked out in time (months/years) or how many schools you have worked for? / how many private students you have? / how many visa runs you have made to Japan - to renew your visa?
For example - if a person has been here 3 years - but only worked for the one Hagwon/Uni etc - is that person more of a newbie - than someone who has been here 3 years and worked for 5 different Hagwons?
When is a person not a newbie any further? |
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