Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sigmundsmith]

Ironic isn't it? I'm not a person who throws their rubbish, paper or smoke butts on the ground. Especially the smoke butts. Whether I am sitting down or walking. When I finish I will flick the flame end out and extinguish it and put the offensive butt in my pocket until I find a trash can to dispose of it.

You the other day I am sitting on a bench outside a department store having a smoke (there is about 4 or 5 other people doing the same thing) and this ajosshi puts an empty pepsi can down next to me and while pointing to the can and smoke and starts going on what I assume is: put the butt in the can when you are finished because I don't want people littering my country.

Now, I am not begrudging this. Actually, I commend him for such an act considering how the people of this country carelessly dispose of their trash anywhere they please. The thing that 'erks' me is that the kindly old man didn't approach the other individuals who were smoking or place an empty pepsi can near them. I think he had it in his mind that only a person like me would litter his country.

So while sitting their smoking, some of the other people left stamping out their butts on the ground under their foot. The kindly old man walked over and picked up the offensive butts; not saying anything to these people.

When it was my turn to leave, I did my usual - flicked the flame end out - and put the offensive butt in my pocket until I walked past a trash can.

At the same time nodding at the kindly old man with a half-cheeky smile.

Just my ironic tale for the day.

It's amazing the perception that Koreans have of what people will do.

[seoulsucker]

I think you're reading way too much into his actions.

Sometimes I feel the burn here, but at other times I feel like Koreans, in the eyes of many expats (myself included) are damned if they do, and damned if they don't.

[Beej]

My favorite one: you will be in an elevator with a bunch of Koreans. Nobody stinks. Then some vomit,poop,soju,kimchee stinking Korean man will get on the elevator and the Koreans will avoid the foreigner as if he is the smelly one. Hello, didnt we already establish the fact that I dont smell bad.

[hauwande]

this one will make you laugh, op...

i smoked during my first few months in korea. one day i was doing the same thing as you, relaxing outside a convenience store enjoying a peaceful puff or two.

along comes an adjossi and stares at me with intensity before pointing at my smoke. he then jabs his arm like a boxer towards the nearest bin.
"smoke finishee bin! smoke finishee bin!"

me: "ah, i understand!, thanks..."

what does he do with his butt when he is finished?

chucks it on the ground at my feet!!

lol! no word of a lie...

funny, eh?

[Captain Corea]

[seoulsucker]

[quote="Captain Corea"]

[sigmundsmith]

[Captain Corea]

[sigmundsmith]

[Xuanzang]

[spitfire]

[michaelambling]