Korean Job Discussion Forums

[dman]

If your walking on a sidewalk anywhere in this country and experience being pushed or hit try something new. Your hockey coach will tell you it's not a good idea to put your head down but in korea I suggest you do keep your head down and keep a direct path. It's amazing when a sidewalk is empty but koreans still want to walk right into you even though they have a choice. I don't know about you but I'm sick of it so now I keep my path on a sidewalk and when I see a korean deciding to play chicken with me I put my head down and usually send them flying. It's one of my favorite activities here I'm thinking of teaching this technique to anyone interested.

[Real Reality]

dman,

Welcome.

Your first post is concerned about one of the Korean traits that seems to bother a lot of people. Good luck. While your technique may work, please be careful. There are some big, aggressive ajumas and ajushis in Korea.

[sparkx]

**From another thread**

When it happens to me (koreans running into me in the subway station) its like a mosquito hitting a windshield. After it happens a few times, I stand in the middle of the scurrying masses, look toward the heavens and start laughing - a booming, demonic laugh that last anywhere from 5 - 45 minutes depending on how immortal I happen to be feeling at the time.

Remember this technique grasshopper...

[Juggertha]

when it happens in a busy station i'm not in the least bothered.. nor in myong-dong or the like.

BUT when its an empty street and there is absolutely "no give" man i'm thinking of leveling them sometimes.

[FUBAR]

They had a piece on the show Confidential (WWE Show) pertaining to the same issue. This wrestler, Chris Jericho, was in Japan and said that all you have to do is walk around with a crazy look on your face. Then he tried it, walking across a crowded street in Tokyo. Pretty funny stuff.

[rapier]

[just because]

I've become a pretty good side-stepper since i arrived here.

I wonder if I could apply to become a ballet dancer with all the graceful moves I've learned??

[diver]

Play the man, not the puck...

[Ilsanman]

Yesterday, I was walking past an ajumma in Kangnam station, and right as I walked by, she stuck her elbow out. I bumped her good and she went 5 feet to the left. She seemed a little pissed but I could care less.

Also the ajumma who thinks to talk on your phone while walking, you need to stick your elbow out at a 90 degree angle. She was a little taller than the average ajumma, so she could catch a short person in the eye, and me in the throat. I have no tolerance for that selfish ass behaviour.

The problem is, rather than teaching them a lesson when I bump them, they just think the same thing about me that I am thinking about them.

EARTH TO KOREA...........ON THE COUNT OF 5, EVERYONE PULL YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR ASS!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, just venting.

[Mashimaro]

Pushing in Japan??

I walked through Tokyo station during rush hour and was barely touched by anyone.. that country respects personal space... if someone did run into me they ususally apologised and or bowed...

also what is with people who are waiting at a bus stop and stand right in the middle of the footpath... totally oblivious to the fact they might actually be in the way

[HardyandTiny]

[Real Reality]

I tend to agree with Mashimaro.
Pushing in Japan??

I have been to Japan several times. There does seem to be more respect
for personal space. Well, perhaps there is just more personal space.

[diver]

Hardy,

When you are playing defense in a one-on-one in ice hockey, you are taught to 'play the man'. That is, to focus on the man (usually coach tells you to look right at the logo on the chest of the jersey). If you look down at the puck, the attacker will make one or two nifty moves and go right by you...Take out the man.

This concept works in Korea too...Focus squarley on the chest of the person coing towards you. Don't look at their head...They can head-fake you...

[g-ese]

[JackSarang]

This happens to me all the time when I'm at e-mart and I have two huge bags, so ME getting out of the way is difficult.

The worst/best was one time when I went electronic shopping in Yongsan. I was carrying two sizeable boxes at my side which the guys had wrapped these spongy cords around as makeshift handles. They were quite heavy so I could move too much.

Anyway, I'm going down the stairs slowly into the subway and this little prissy Korean kong ju starts charging up the steps right at me. I was like, screw this, where the hell can I go? So she charges right up at me and seeing that I'm not going anywhere sidesteps at the last second... but a second too late. The corner of one of my boxes drives into her upper thigh and she lets out this deliciously satisfying squeal of pain. Then she starts swearing at me at Korean. Stupid bitch.