Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Cedar]

Okay, yes, I do.

Whether it's the white girl showing me the top 1/4 of her butt cheeks (and apparently if she's got panties on they are -really- low on her hips) in a cafe, or the white guy walking down the street at 3:30 in the afternoon with the big open can of CASS, I say something.

And I say something to Koreans, too. (Which I know is partially because I can speak well enough to express that being 40 and popping gum in my ear on a crowded bus is not okay).

Drives my husband nuts (unless I say it in the sweetest possible way, which I do when I think it's unintentional like butt-crack-girl, but when it's watching TV without headphones, I feel entitled to say that it's not their living room).

Anyway, am I the only one who says anything? Because I'll be on the bus and see everyone wincing or even glaring at someone else's behavior and moving their seat or shielding their eyes to avoid the butt-crack view, but it just seems like no one else knows how to speak up.

MANY of you complain of (lacking) social manners by Koreans or other foreigners, but how many of you say anything?

[DorkothyParker]

Wait, what is there to say to the guy walking in public with Cass?

But I never say anything to anyone here or back home. I don't really complain about manners in any case. I am in my own little world and I mind my own business.

[joelove]

I say nothing, but where is that white girl with her fine bum showing?

[northway]

Intruding yourself in the business of others is just as rude as whatever they're doing.

[DIsbell]

I replied never. While I have intervened verbally (and physically, in a strictly protecting manner) when I've witnessed violence/domestic abuse in Korea, it sounds like the OP is talking about petty things than only a nosy curmudgeon would be rude enough to scold about. Can't say I take part in that.

[tatertot]

I sometimes say something, and it basically depends on how annoying my students were that day.

One day I was walking from line 5 to line 2 at Singil station and I saw a high school or college-aged girl flick something at the wall. As I walked closer, I saw that it was a wad of gum, so I picked it off the wall and caught up with her. "저기요?" I said, but she didn't respond, so I then said "학생!" and she turned right around. "이건 니 거야?" I asked her. She took the gum wad, but didn't respond and I walked off. I felt very satisfied, but had to remember not to touch my eyes or mouth until I got home and washed my hands. I can only imagine that witnesses to this were thinking, "Man, foreigners sure are crazy."

Since people are always trying to cut in front of me in lines (at escalators, to board the subway), I sometimes say "줄을 안 봤어요?".

[Died By Bear]

You are the kind of people that attract trouble. Stop getting involved with what other people wear for God's sake!

Now, where exactly is white butt crack showing girl again?

[nukeday]

sorry about the open cass. i should know better. it's not the best beer. i'll make it an ob golden lager next time.

[Kaypea]

I think it's ok to butt in if there's a dangerous situation, but if somebody doesn't know how to dress, they probably won't learn from you. Then again, if she didn't know her butt was showing, maybe you did her a big favor.

When it comes to this kind of situation, I'm always the tell-ee, never the teller. I've been told to pull up my pants, turn down the music, etc... hate it, but I guess I should try not to be offensive.

[sadguy]

i've only said something to people twice while in korea. once was when i was in hongdae and this foreigner was pulling his *beep* out and chasing korean girls with it, so i told him he was a piece of S and we almost got into a fight until his friends held him back and apologized on his behalf.

the other time was this weekend actually. a korean guy was screaming at the top of his lungs and smashing soju bottles on the street, kicking trash bags at 4am. all the neighbors woke up and were looking outside. he was with his friends so i guess he thought it was funny. but i yelled "yah!! tuk chyeoh!!!"

[murmanjake]

I tell kids to pick up their trash when I see them littering. In English, but it's not hard to make myself understood.

Never tried it with adults though.

[cj1976]

If I chose to stroll down the road with a can of cheap lager, minding my own business, and someone stopped me to pass judgement, I know which two words I'd have to answer with.