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Bloopity Bloop
Joined: 26 Apr 2009
Location: Seoul yo
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 Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:39 am Post subject: ching chong chinaman |
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I was walking down some street with a friend in Gangseo-gu and in the middle of a conversation, some random delivery guy we passed started following us while spouting gibberish. At first I thought he was retarded or something, but as we walked away and his friends started laughing, I realized he was just making fun of how we talked. I guess we just got "ching chong China man"-ed--which is strange, because, IMO, Korean isn't the best sounding language in the world. After a few minutes, I decided to turn around and see if he'd do it again/give him a piece of my mind, but he was gone.
I'm Asian American, so this kind of stuff has happened to me in the States. I'm not usually bothered by this type of thing (used to it), but the guy caught me at a bad time. Kind of surprised it happened out here. My blood is boiling.
Does this happen more frequently to you foreigners that stick out more (read: of non-Asian descent)? What do you usually do? |
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Junior
Joined: 18 Nov 2005
Location: the eye
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| Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:25 am Post subject: Re: ching chong chinaman |
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| Bloopity Bloop wrote: |
Does this happen more frequently to you foreigners that stick out more (read: of non-Asian descent)? What do you usually do? |
I've never had that kind of in-your-face BS, although I tend to hear Koreans saying stuff like "Okaaaay!,Nice-uh! or other random stuff to eachother when I'm in earshot. Basically attempting to speak Engrish in a jokey way to eachother. |
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juchangok
Joined: 15 Jan 2009
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| Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:39 am Post subject: Re: ching chong chinaman |
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| Junior wrote: |
| Bloopity Bloop wrote: |
Does this happen more frequently to you foreigners that stick out more (read: of non-Asian descent)? What do you usually do? |
I've never had that kind of in-your-face BS, although I tend to hear Koreans saying stuff like "Okaaaay!,Nice-uh! or other random stuff to eachother when I'm in earshot. Basically attempting to speak Engrish in a jokey way to eachother. |
Actually that saying used widely amongst Koreans from what I hear. |
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giraffe
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:50 am Post subject: |
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| I personally havent experienced much racism in korea as far as im concerned ( ummm i white..) Im sure it happens around me i just havent noticed anything thats in my face. I either get , Hellos from random kids, old korean grandmas/grandpas wanting to touch/shake my hand, or just random stares ( which is just curiosity).... I've actually experienced alot more racism from korean canadians/korean immigrants in canada than i have in korea. In canada ive heard random koreans call me the "white devil", ive been spat at, random korean swearing from younger males etc.. all because i have korean wife/gf. And they know we can hear them and we obviously understand what they are saying. This RARELY happens though but its happen much more in canada than i has in korea for me anyways.. |
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detourne_me
Joined: 26 May 2006
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| Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:00 pm Post subject: |
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It happens to me sometimes. Maybe a young guy within earshot will start with "Oh my god!" or other interjections. I don't have a problem with it, usually i give the guy a thumbs up or a wink-n-point.
The trouble is when they start swearing if there are kids around. then maye i'll give him a disapproving look and say "yok-mal andaeyo" or something like that. |
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redaxe
Joined: 01 Dec 2008
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| Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:04 pm Post subject: Re: ching chong chinaman |
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| Junior wrote: |
| Bloopity Bloop wrote: |
Does this happen more frequently to you foreigners that stick out more (read: of non-Asian descent)? What do you usually do? |
I've never had that kind of in-your-face BS, although I tend to hear Koreans saying stuff like "Okaaaay!,Nice-uh! or other random stuff to eachother when I'm in earshot. Basically attempting to speak Engrish in a jokey way to eachother. |
In my experience this usually happens when I pass a group of uniformed high school girls on the sidewalk. I start hearing:
giggle giggle "Englishee" giggle giggle as they dare each other to talk to me, then it's always:
"Hello where are you flom?"
"Amelica? You are bely handsome guy!"
"Nice-uh to meet-uh you!"
etc etc |
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Jane
Joined: 01 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:34 pm Post subject: |
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I get it daily. People trying to show me up and make me feel as uncomfortable as I can whether it be on the subway, on the street, at work even.
Welcome to the world of wondda-dom.
Thank the great Korean inferiority complex for that. |
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Manuel_the_Bandito
Joined: 12 Sep 2009
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| Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 5:51 pm Post subject: |
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| Yes and it's usually children. I fail to see what's so offensive about this. If anything the deliveryman is just very immature, not racist. Our language does sound very strange to Koreans, so why wouldn't they try to mimic some of the sounds they hear? |
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calicoe
Joined: 23 Dec 2008
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:39 pm Post subject: Re: ching chong chinaman |
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| Bloopity Bloop wrote: |
I was walking down some street with a friend in Gangseo-gu and in the middle of a conversation, some random delivery guy we passed started following us while spouting gibberish. At first I thought he was retarded or something, but as we walked away and his friends started laughing, I realized he was just making fun of how we talked. I guess we just got "ching chong China man"-ed--which is strange, because, IMO, Korean isn't the best sounding language in the world. After a few minutes, I decided to turn around and see if he'd do it again/give him a piece of my mind, but he was gone.
I'm Asian American, so this kind of stuff has happened to me in the States. I'm not usually bothered by this type of thing (used to it), but the guy caught me at a bad time. Kind of surprised it happened out here. My blood is boiling.
Does this happen more frequently to you foreigners that stick out more (read: of non-Asian descent)? What do you usually do? |
That's an excellent analogy, by making the connection between "ching chong chinaman" at home in the West and here. I often get some comments of the varieties described on this thread, but I don't necessarily count all of them as racist "ching chong chinaman."
Like everyone, I get a lot of children saying hello, how are you, OMG, etc., and even middle school students imitating my accent. But, I don't think that is nasty or ill-intentioned, I just think it is a curiousity and youthful way of trying on a foreign language with foreigners - something of a novelty. I saw an exception with one middle school student in my class who was harshly making fun of my American accent and called her on it .... end of story. On the street, it is always young students, and although they may start the English as something funny for their friends, I answer them and return the conversation and they usually blush or erupt in nervous laughter or friendly questions.
I have mostly observed cold or hostile stares from adults sometimes, which is disturbing. Why is it that English (at a respectable volume) spoken amongst people on the street or in public is considered worthy of hostility? I have seen older men actually walk past and shush us, as in "ssshhhh - be quiet!" I have also been given quite a nasty look by a 30ish guy when I was talking on my cell phone on the street, again, at volumes much, much lower than the average Korean speaking volumes I hear all around me. At times, I think it's a bit more menancing than "ching chong chinaman."
But, come to think of it, I was "ching chong chinamaned" at work, by a Korean teacher, enabled by my Korean co-teacher. Back when I was actively working to learn Korean, I brought a book to work frequently. It was called "Survival Korean" with a picture of a white foreign dude on it. Apparently, he is one of the first foreigners to graduate from a Korean language teaching university program. They subtly let me know that they found this book offensive somehow. They disparagingly talked about the name of the book, and the Korean teacher made a joke in Korean. My Ko-teacher translated that she said the book was like saying "OK - Hello Buddy!" And then said, "it's just a joke." I feel they were trying to equate this book to past stereotypes of GI servicemen or something. I just laughed it off, but I thought that there were some definite issues there.
What's the problem? - that a foreigner can teach other foreigners Korean? I don't think they understand that "survival Korean" is not offensive.
This is the same Ko-teacher whom I have suspected of seething but unspoken anti-Americanism (or nationalism), who just casually mentioned to me last night at a drinking dinner how she hates Japanese people. Great! |
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Burndog
Joined: 17 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:41 pm Post subject: |
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| Manuel_the_Bandito wrote: |
| Yes and it's usually children. I fail to see what's so offensive about this. If anything the deliveryman is just very immature, not racist. Our language does sound very strange to Koreans, so why wouldn't they try to mimic some of the sounds they hear? |
I think that mocking a foreigner because they speak differently to you...is quite obviously racist. What happened to the OP was clearly racist.
I get stared at, and have many random conversations like redaxe mentioned (usually middle/high school students saying things they know), and hear people around me speaking LOUD corny English (Nice-uh, Oh My God, etc). None of that stuff is racist. That's all just curiosity and interest mixed with a little excitement.
If someone walked behind me mocking the way I spoke...well...I'd tell them to go and do things to themselves that people shouldn't do with themselves. |
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Janny
Joined: 02 Jul 2008
Location: all over the place
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| Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:50 pm Post subject: |
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Jane got it...it's the inferiority complex.
Mimicing voices or calling out random English phrases...the giggling...the shushing by older Koreans....the impromptu personal questions... it's NOT curiosity!!
It all boils down to the fact that our presence makes Koreans uncomfortable. We don't garner any respect from them. They turn it into a joke because it's the "cool" thing to do, or they're bored and want a giggle, or they want to practice their English.
Thankfully, it's getting better. But for a person who grew up valuing and cherishing diversity...it can hurt. However, I've noticed many Koreans who also think this behavior is childish and embarrassing. |
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calicoe
Joined: 23 Dec 2008
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:50 pm Post subject: |
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| Burndog wrote: |
| Manuel_the_Bandito wrote: |
| Yes and it's usually children. I fail to see what's so offensive about this. If anything the deliveryman is just very immature, not racist. Our language does sound very strange to Koreans, so why wouldn't they try to mimic some of the sounds they hear? |
I think that mocking a foreigner because they speak differently to you...is quite obviously racist. What happened to the OP was clearly racist.
I get stared at, and have many random conversations like redaxe mentioned (usually middle/high school students saying things they know), and hear people around me speaking LOUD corny English (Nice-uh, Oh My God, etc). None of that stuff is racist. That's all just curiosity and interest mixed with a little excitement.
If someone walked behind me mocking the way I spoke...well...I'd tell them to go and do things to themselves that people shouldn't do with themselves. |
Off topic - but I LOVE your frickin' avatar! Hilarious ..... maybe because I am adopted, lol. |
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Bryan
Joined: 29 Oct 2007
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| Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:54 pm Post subject: Re: ching chong chinaman |
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| Junior wrote: |
| Bloopity Bloop wrote: |
Does this happen more frequently to you foreigners that stick out more (read: of non-Asian descent)? What do you usually do? |
I've never had that kind of in-your-face BS, although I tend to hear Koreans saying stuff like "Okaaaay!,Nice-uh! or other random stuff to eachother when I'm in earshot. Basically attempting to speak Engrish in a jokey way to eachother. |
That probably has nothing to do with you. Those are like the two most commonly used phrases by gamers playing together in PC bangs. |
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djsmnc
Joined: 20 Jan 2003
Location: Dave's ESL Cafe
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| Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:52 pm Post subject: Re: ching chong chinaman |
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| Bloopity Bloop wrote: |
I was walking down some street with a friend in Gangseo-gu and in the middle of a conversation, some random delivery guy we passed started following us while spouting gibberish. At first I thought he was retarded or something, but as we walked away and his friends started laughing, I realized he was just making fun of how we talked. I guess we just got "ching chong China man"-ed--which is strange, because, IMO, Korean isn't the best sounding language in the world. After a few minutes, I decided to turn around and see if he'd do it again/give him a piece of my mind, but he was gone.
I'm Asian American, so this kind of stuff has happened to me in the States. I'm not usually bothered by this type of thing (used to it), but the guy caught me at a bad time. Kind of surprised it happened out here. My blood is boiling.
Does this happen more frequently to you foreigners that stick out more (read: of non-Asian descent)? What do you usually do? |
Do what any Korean would do, which is to act as if they don't exist. Who knows if that's what he was actually doing and who cares? |
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DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP
Joined: 28 May 2009
Location: Electron cloud
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| Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:59 pm Post subject: Re: ching chong chinaman |
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| Bloopity Bloop wrote: |
I was walking down some street with a friend in Gangseo-gu and in the middle of a conversation, some random delivery guy we passed started following us while spouting gibberish. At first I thought he was retarded or something, but as we walked away and his friends started laughing, I realized he was just making fun of how we talked. I guess we just got "ching chong China man"-ed--which is strange, because, IMO, Korean isn't the best sounding language in the world. After a few minutes, I decided to turn around and see if he'd do it again/give him a piece of my mind, but he was gone.
I'm Asian American, so this kind of stuff has happened to me in the States. I'm not usually bothered by this type of thing (used to it), but the guy caught me at a bad time. Kind of surprised it happened out here. My blood is boiling.
Does this happen more frequently to you foreigners that stick out more (read: of non-Asian descent)? What do you usually do? |
I'll be accused of saying this because I hate Korea or I'm bitter, but yes.
I've even had Korean parents intruct their kids to go say hello to me or talk to me in English even though I'm very clearly having a cell phone converstaion. No respect for my privacy or anything, purely treated as a non human.
I've had groups of kids from all ages following me down the street shouting every thing from innocent yet annoying (I like my personal space and time) oh hi man! where are you from! to very rude 'Are you claydgee man!' oh puck you man!! etc....
The little ones I just act friendly and then walk away quicly and if they persist I'll just say 'waegeradae?' and then walk off. If they're high school or old middle scool kids I'd do the same as I'd do back home depending on mood, either ignore them, flip them the bird or tell them to go _________ or whatever.'
Yeah it seems like a small thing and a trivial thing for a grown man to complain about but being continually seen and treated as merely a novelty 'object' in public gets to me. |
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