Korean Job Discussion Forums

[dirving]

Hello,

I just returned from the little grocery store in my town where I was verbally harassed by a group of ten high school males who appeared to be between the ages of 15 and 19 (Gregorian Calender). I ignored their English language insults about my nose, paunch and the usual other comments that can not be typed on Dave's because of the T.O.S. However, I raised my voice to one of the punks when he and his buddy boldly ignored me and the five things in my arms and cut in front of me/jumped the queue as if it was their birthright. Mind you, this crap happens to me several times per week in that and other shops here and in other places in Korea. However, I overreacted to the situation by extending my arm in front of him and then letting him know that he should never do that to me again. I then told him to go to the back of the line and wait his turn like I did, etc. What's worse is that I may have asked him "what the hell is your problem?! Don't tell me that it's your privileged place in Korean society as a member of the Yangban that gives you the right to harass me and treat me badly in other ways!"

The kid and his punk friends were mostly cool during this meltdown of mine (one flat-faced and squat-looking goon at the rear of the pack made another lucky-guess crack about my nationality that I blew off). I saw the guy outside with the oldest-looking friend, and told them to never do that to me again and to learn some manners. As I walked away, I felt crappy for yelling at them.

Why do a noticeable number of Korean H.S. pupils act in this manner towards Caucasians and other non-Koreans? Is it out of a sense of superiority and attendant feelings of contempt for non-Koreans? I raise this query 'cause incidents much worse than this one have taken place on many, many occasions in this town where 5 to 10 H.S. or uni students will fork with me openly on the town's main streets in front of lots of adjummas and adjushis. So, tell me, what's the deal here?

Thanks, and no flamers - okay?!

[ashland]

[blackjack]

They were sober? They weren't wearing gang patches? they didn't threaten bodily harm?

I would say it's a step up from back home.

btw I'm not korean

[dirving]

Ashland,

I've already received two unfair Warning Letters from EPIK for irrelevant or very, very exaggerated or even false stuff about me. Ashland, I am in a crappy school where the Expats prior to me quit after only 3 or 4 months.

Anywho, back to the local ranch: These guys are from the local Upper-Tier families and have a lot of social-political"pull" in the gun, and their antics have been aggravating me so much that I find myself expecting to get harassed by these ridiculous idiots whenever I see them or the other 300 or so peers of their's in town.

Many folks here are nice to me; the other twenty five percent of the townfolk who're still ancient-minded can go suck Yingwenlaoshi's Thingy for all I care. (F.Y.I., Ying's my bud, and buds deserve some action at least once-in-awhile IMHO.)

Sorry, Ying!

Cordially,

Moi

[dirving]

For JackBlack:

Yeah, I know, but what should I do here in the Republic of Korea? If I were 21 and fresh out of uni/college, I'd likely not get this shite.

Jack Black's "School of Rock" is pretty good in my opinion. What's your take on the flick?

Cordially,

Dirving

[T-J]

OMFG. Are you really whining about not being able to stand up for yourself when faced with some middle / high school aged kids?

Grow a pair.

[dirving]

@T-J

I DID tell them to cut the crap. This was okay -right?

[Janny]

Sounds like some teenage hoodlums are harassing the easiest victim...the foreigner.

You have a choice. One, ignore best you can, put on your MP3, avoid them, and try to forget about it. Two, get drunk and go crazy; wave a knife in their faces, or something like that, screaming. Something to intimidate them back. But even after that, the best you'll get is "quieter" ribbing on the street. It'll never truly go away. (They'll think you're hassle-worthy AND crazy)

Your only salvation is if an adjumma or adjossi get involved and tell them to F off for you. That'd do it.

[dirving]

[Steelrails]

Are you in a big city or small town? That matters a lot on what to do at that point.

Best of all is just ignoring it. After all you've got money, you've got status, and you've got it within your power to be a chooser when it comes to relationships. I mean if you've got those things, who cares what some kids do?

[SeoulMan99]

You have people cut you in line several times per week here? Sheesh that must start to piss you off. I'm guessing you're in some backwater town, as it sounds like there is one main street and this same group has continuously harrassed you. If you simply ignore them then your weakness will impower them. I have known people like this, and if you at all show weakness or look that it scares you or whatever then they'll be even more merciless. I bet they're punk *** ******* who would sh*te themselves if you got up in their faces and asked them what they want to do about it. They're just punk kids.

[canactuary]

You get this everywhere in my opinion. I've seen this kind of stuff in North America and Europe. Ever watch Harold and Kumar? EXTREME! Yes it's a movie, but you can see crap like that in many places, more so if you are the demographic minority.

Unfortunately you experienced it in Korea. It's just a group of punks harassing a single foreigner. They hide between their large groups of like minded punks and in your case their family status. Unfortunately status/wealth/image are agressively sought after in any country but more so in Korea. And some of them who have it may believe that they are superior and like to show it. That just my opinion and like I said it's not just in Korea. I'd say that it's less likely they'd harass you if you weren't by yourself. I'm sure these punks would harass others who they believed couldn't defend themselves and were different. And as it was said earlier it does make a difference where you are.

BTW this is the last time I'm typing on an iPhone at daves.

Don't let the bad experiences from a relatively

[pkang0202]

Go teach these kids a lesson. John Wayne is turning in his grave right now. Be it Korean, Canadian, French, Indonesian, or whatever. You can't have punk kids be pushing you around.

In fact, get some of your friends to come assist in your "lecture" about manners and respect.

[teretere]

You could always watch "The Spirit of Jeet Kune Do" or "Once upon a time in High School" for Korean-style inspiration.

[Scotticus]

I'm sorry, I get the whole "I want to see the real Korea, not the big cities" thing, but every time I see a story about some podunk small-town bs that people have to put up with, I thank my lucky stars I demanded Seoul when I first came here.

Also, the title of this thread is kind of stupid.