Korean Job Discussion Forums

[tfunk]

I've been in Korea for three years. I've heard a few cliches about the viewpoints of Koreans from expats that I haven't heard from Koreans directly. Off the top of my head:

1. "Kimchi cures everything."

2. "There are no gays in Korea."

3. "All foreigners have AIDs."

There are instances when Koreans may have expressed these viewpoints. I think these are individual viewpoints and not indicative of Korean society as a whole.

These cliches have taken on a life of their own, and they are funny, but they are not proven.

So, what cliches about Koreans attitudes towards foreigners do you have?

[Banana_Man]

Foreigners make stuff up so they can apppear better than Koreans. Usually on a site like this - for juvenile "venting" reasons.

I also have never heard 1 or 2 from the mouth of a Korean, just a disgusted foreigner. I think they hear these either as a joke, or from children and take them to be truth, never bothering to check.

[the_beaver]

[eamo]

I'd say all three of those cliches exist in the minds of Koreans to wildly varying degrees from 'not at all true' to 'probably true'.

[Banana_Man]

[oskinny1]

[NYC_Gal]

I was chatting with my KT about friends and diversity, and she didn't believe that I had Korean lesbian friends here. I had to explain that, because of the culture, they have to keep their romantic lives private to most, and only really open up to foreigners (and even then, only a select few).

They may not think we ALL have AIDS, but they screen us all. Once would be fine, but they make us take the damned test every year. I'm all for HIV tests for all, but it would have to be for ALL, and not just the barbarians who don't hit their students.

[neandergirl]

I've not heard the first one exactly as quoted here but have been told numerous times by adult Koreans that Kimchi prevents/cures illness x. These have included SARS, Avian flu, and HIV/AIDS.

I've also had at least 3 Korean adults tell me that when I see Korean males arm in arm I shouldn't think they are gay (I didn't) because there aren't any gays in Korea. Additionally a Korean co-worker told me the reason he stayed with his physically abusive, married boyfriend was because there weren't any other gay Korean men in Daegu.

All foreigners having AIDS is something I haven't heard any Korean say directly, but I have been turned away from donating blood every single time I've tried - with no prelim testing for anemia, questionnaire for malaria or Mad Cow exposure risks or any reason given.

[Steelrails]

Let's think here...Perhaps Koreans see Kimchi like this-

"An Apple a day keeps the doctor away"

"Chicken Soup for your cold"

Just a thought. Things don't translate perfectly.

Then again you get people who claim that a BK Double Stack is better for you than a bowl of white rice.

Back on topic- I think the Koreans believing in Fan Death is real, well at least to the bumpkins.

[neandergirl]

Not commenting on the validity (or lack thereof) of any of the kimchi/apple cliches - just stating that, contrary to the OP's position, I've heard them from adult Koreans.

[ATM SPIDERTAO]

OMG the one that pisses me off the most is when during a sales pitch, they go
"you don't want that made in china shit... bad quality"

i'm a chinese canadian and technically, I"M made in china

and mannnn that shit pisses me off

and they also think all chinese people are dirty and poor. i mean ALL of them. when i tell them i'm chinese, they say "no, that's impossible! you're korean"

i'd like to think it's cuz i'm 6'1" and pretty buff with a sexy jawline and perfect skin and all the chinese people they see work in restaurants or factories in ansan city, where i live

but damn, i get pissy!!! especially when shopping for shoes

"MADE IN KOREA! NOT CHINA! 40,000WON!"

[Senior]

[Goon-Yang]

[PatrickGHBusan]

[yeti08]