Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cdninkorea]

The expression "freaking out squares" is borrowed from my father, a hippie in his youth who used to do things to shock people, like go with his friends into fancy restaurants in jeans (he assures me that this really did cause a major stir in nice New York restaurants in the 70s).

Schwartzenegger used to do something similar; go to restaurants with a half dozen other bodybuilding friends and order huge quantities of food, like three pounds of steak and two tuna sandwiches for lunch. Everyone would stare at the huge guys and their huge meals.

I've taken this tradition to Korea:

- If I'm meeting my girlfriend in a crowded area, like a coffee shop, outside a major subway station, etcetera, I'll bow 90 degrees to her, and she'll bow back (it never fails to get a reaction).

- If I'm getting on a half full train, I'll lunge to one of the many seats available and throw my bag onto it, ajumma-style (surprisingly, ajummas find it the funniest. Young people who see it are just plain shocked).

- One friend, slightly older, will sometimes shout orders at me, like "ya! Bbali woa dong saeng" (hurry up, junior/younger brother), to which I will give a humble "choi song hamnida, hyeong" (sorry, senior/older brother) while bowing.

Do you like freaking out squares? I'd love to hear other stories from within Korea or in your home country.

[Perceptioncheck]

So what's the difference between being an obnoxious attention hoar and "freaking out squares"?

Just askin'.

[JMO]

Korea is full of foreigners like you. Let me guess.

Most foreigners realize instantly that you are a pretentious tw*t but it takes Koreans several months if ever?

[crusher_of_heads]

I bow to South Korean female friends in public, and it gets a reaction.

I am not criticising the OP, but I can never descend low enough to run for a seat, even to freak out humpbacked kimberly.

[tanklor1]

I love freaking out squares. but to be honest. I'm actually concerned on how I'm precieved. But if anyone else has any wacky ideas. Post 'em. I love reading about them.

[Rusty Shackleford]

This was a common occurrence when I was at University. I was walking down a crowded street with my friend and I wanted to get some hayfever meds from the pharmacy. So my friend asked me what we were doing. I said "I need to pick up some crab cream." He proceeded to yell to everyone in ear shot, "Crab cream?!, we've run out of crab cream?!" Needless to say I ducked into the shop as fast as possible.

[cdninkorea]

[majesticmako]

haha, that does sound very amusing.

wouldn't work too well for me since im korean american and they would probably just think im just a native.

on the other hand, walking down the street with my blonde girlfriend seems to "freak out squares" just as it is.

[flakfizer]

[agoodmouse]

What we're talking about here is realizing absurdity. I enjoy absurdity.

[Thewhiteyalbum]

I can understand your Dad in the sixties fking with peoples pretensions...but what you are doing is being an obnoxious loud American. Shocking.

[RACETRAITOR]

I get photographed getting out of limos without wearing any panties.

[Css]

im sure most people just think youre a tit.

[exit86]

I "freak out the squares" by simply being a well-mannered
individual (in both Western and Korean traditions).
I enjoy holding the door for others, allowing older folks to take my seat on the bus or subway, saying "please" and "thank you" (in whatever language), and by refraining from pushing, shoving, bumping into other folks, and all other similar types of boorishness.

I invite anyone to try this.
You are sure to obtain very surprised reactions from the locals.

[PRagic]

I honestly wonder if people think these ideas are original or haven't been done to death here in Korea. Kind of a decent way to amuse yourself and your friends in a 'woohoo, we're college sophomores without any bills or worries in the world' kind of way on a boring day in Seoul, but come on, OP. Really?