Korean Job Discussion Forums

[beercanman]

I think about this sometimes and try to figure out the "meaning" behind the looks/stares and comments. I lived in Korea a long time, now am in China in a city of 2-3 million that may be more homogeneous than any Korean city over a million. So the reactions are part of daily life. I'd like to keep it somewhat amusing.

The amazed look -- not real common among adults, more for kids, the eyes go wide.

The curious look -- must check out what you are buying, maybe tell the friend of your presence

The "what are you doing here?" look -- not pleasant, seems like they are perturbed as to why you are destroying the uniformity of their environment

The friendly/smiling look --old people and pretty girls sometimes give this, and it is good.

The must comment reaction--pretty common, often happens after you pass. Mention must be made that a foreigner is around, that water is wet and ice is cold.

I think there are many more subtleties I cannot delve into right now as my mind is a bit at sea.

[fraukoch]

The suddenly-feeble-minded-in-the-presence-of-a-foreigner look: the Corean's intelligence quotient is suddenly reduced by somewhere between 20-80% as he feels an irresistible urge to do or say something imbecilic on account of said foreigner's presence.

[beercanman]

Ah forgot one:

The must speak some English amongst some buddies because a foreigner is within earshot reaction:

This one is not so common but happens enough to notice if you have enough time in northeast asia, generally speaking.

It goes likes this, without any regard to you at all:

"what are you doing?" hahahahhah

"Where are you going?" hahahah

and so on.

always by Asian males.

none of these expressions are directed to you. They are used by guys to impress other guys how well they know their 7 words of English.

Not just saying Korea, this is common in many deeply homogeneous places.

[tomato]

[DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP]

When you pass a Korean male on the phone and he'll throw some glib English phrases into his phone conversation, perhaps even looking your way.

I mean wtf?

What is this trying to achieve?

Also happens when a Korean man is with ahis girlfriend. they'll pass you, he'll mutter something in English such as

'Hey yo man'

'Do you know my mean?'

Then start giggling and then return to speakingKorean.

Why the need? Why the need....

[beercanman]

ah yeah, the phone one, had that a few times... only upon sight of me would the guy (always a guy) use an English word or two on the phone... weird.

From Korean or Chinese suddenly, upon seeing me, he'd say something like "so, what happened?" to the other phone person, then maybe explain it in local language. No regard to me, but that occurred because I was around.

Another one ...when guy comes to meet his girl and you are near, he must say something in English....well, sometimes. Like "Hey, baby" or whatever...weird bunch they are.

Thomas:
Nah not so concerned with subtle things but often wonder about the various reactions which take on many colors.