Korean Job Discussion Forums

computermichael · Joined: 01 Jul 2010 Location: Anyang

MOD EDIT I would like to say that I respect JWs as much as I do any other religion and do not want to debate or discuss their religion. I hold them in the same regard as any other nuisance that wakes me up before 10, religious or not.

Anyway, everywhere I've lived, they've managed to find me and have sometimes even known my name. There are usually a few patrolling the main hagwon drag of Anyang once a week who only talk to the foreigners who walk by. Do they have a mole in immigration giving them lists of foreigners to come annoy?

There's even a JW public school teacher in Anyang. We made eye contact one day, and then he started talking to me. I thought that he was just being a sociable, dashing young foreigner that so many of us could live up to being, but then he gave me a copy of Watch Tower. I was duped and used!

I live in the same building as all of my coworkers, and we mess with them extensively. Sometimes I like to whisper dirty things over the intercom at them or open the door and just glare until they go away. All of us have yelled at them before, but they keep coming back. I hate it when they come while I'm asleep, but I do enjoy messing with them, so it's not so bad when it's in the afternoon. I've been thinking about trying to get them to buy a bottle of soju and drink it with me while playing violent video games and swearing a lot.

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

The Anyang ones are pretty persistent. I've had them walk with me from Central Park all the way to Beomgae, then turn around to go back and find another foreigner in Central Park. I assume it's the same ones who come to my building, who come to my coworker's place (on the same floor as me) literally every weekend. Thank God they haven't found me yet.

computermichael · Joined: 01 Jul 2010 Location: Anyang

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

pangaea · Joined: 20 Dec 2007

I've wondered this myself. I've been chased down by them a few times and I can't imagine that they chase other Koreans that way. I was duped once into going to what turned out be a lunch meeting for local Jehovah's witnesses. Everyone was very kind but it was a very uncomfortable experience for me. I noticed one person asking the lady I came with if she had brought me there. Maybe it was my imagination, but it seemed like a good thing for her. I assume it's a good thing for anyone to bring a new person, since they are constantly recruiting, but is it super extra special here if you recruit a foreigner?

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

I've essentially had them admit to me that they target foreigners, as they really play up the "Aren't you lonely in Korea?" angle.

DorkothyParker · Joined: 11 Apr 2009 Location: Jeju

Back where I'm from, we've got A LOT of LDS and not so many Jehovah's Witnesses, so my experiences with them here have been a first to me.

I've been approached 3(ish) times. I always say, "I appreciate the offer but I am very happy with my current belief system." They ask about just meeting up non-religiously and I tell them I am very busy.

Now two of these times were out in public, however one time was at my door. Technically they have knocked many times (it was every Saturday for about 3 months) and I would ignore them. Half the time I was in bed, the rest of the time I was in the shower or just hanging about in my underwear. Seriously, who is ready for company at 11AM on a Saturday?!? In any case, the one time I was dressed I did answer and they haven't returned since. I guess our address has been checked off the list.

TL;DR: Be honest but respectful. They mean well.

L&MaC's · Joined: 01 Jan 2011 Location: Ittoqqortoormiit

Of course they target foreigners.

They knock on my door every weekend.

I made the mistake once of opening the door and just politely telling them that I wasn't interested -

but I guess they got points for me opening the door.

Now (although) I refuse to open the door anymore - they knock on my door twice every weekend - and each time they come - they seem to send prettier and prettier girls.

I just watch on the CCTV and refuse to open the door anymore.

When I do leave my apartment - they have pasted one of their booklets to my door.

gypsymaria · Joined: 08 Jun 2010 Location: Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do

I live in Anyang but they haven't spotted me yet! Knock on wood. Rolling Eyes

I can't bring myself to be very rude to them unless they get too pushy. They do mean well. They're just kind of annoying about it.

My general views on religion are as follows:
http://current.com/entertainment/comedy/92755424_religion-is-like-a-*beep*.htm

Cedar · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 9:53 pm Post subject:

It can be fun to bait these guys, however, if you're really targeted time after time, I would take the number of their local parish office (or whatever it's called), then call them (or have a Korean friend call) and explain the frequency of contact and politely tell them that such frequent contact has only made you think the local JW are a bunch of rude morons who are targeting you no matter how many times you express disinterest. Tell them that if you see a JW banging on your door again within the month you will invite them in and then call the police and charge them with harassment. Say that you have a log of the dates and times that you've been targeted and that you are sure the police will agree that it's excessive.

sirius black · Joined: 04 Jun 2010

They target EVERYONE. They may make a habit of talking to every foreigner and their command of english is not too bad from the ones I've met.
I'm friendly but firm. I'll say no thank you. If they persist (and they normally do), depending on my mood I'll remove my smile and say I said NO THANK YOU or if I'm in a naught mood, I'll tell them I'll visit your church if you visit mine first. (they are not allowed to). But I do the same that I do back home. A firm and unequivocal rude and if persisting I tell them now you're being rude. Leave me alone...even to the ajuma ones. Trust me, they try harder if they sense indecisiveness and weakness.

Oreovictim · Joined: 23 Aug 2006

For those of you down in Anyang -

I live in Gwangmyeong. When I was back home last October, I bought an 18 pack of those plastic vampire teeth. I still have about 7 of them left that are unused. If I lived closer, I'd give 'em away. Put a pair on and open your door, making a hissing sound. A bit immature but worth it.

jammo · Joined: 12 Dec 2008

Used to play with these jokers in my first year here. Had a pretty decent discussion about different religions with one but most of them are speaking from a script
Haven't seen any recently. I think ive been blacklisted lol

Weigookin74 · Joined: 26 Oct 2009

I don't mind the LDS, they usually seem pretty regular and decent. Talked to them about football and Korean culture and such. No real pressure on me. I've even gotten to know a couple of them. Meet them sometimes at Gimbap Nara and just chat about non religious things. They never talk about the faith with me. But JW are something else. If people walk up to me and start chatting and seem to have an angle, I ask if they are JW. Then, I tell them I'm not converting. Have my own faith background and that is that. I put water on their fire very quickly. They tend to leave me alone. But none know where I live.

FMPJ · Joined: 03 Jun 2008

Back in the villas, I had frequent visits from the Moronians and the Jehovites, and I found it was both incredibly repugnant to them and viscerally embiggening to me to greet them at the door in the altogether and escort them arm-in-arm down the block with a flurry of cheek kisses and "heaven for me and you, brother"s.

On a cautious day I'd wear undies.