Korean Job Discussion Forums

[The Floating World]

And if so, identify them please.

I know I have. I have even started to sometimes when not around foriegners, think in Korean.

Also I drink and smoke too much. Now I'm NOT saying those are the Korean characteristics. BUT I have become hooked on all of these bottled potions in order to combat the effects, something that is not really popular back home.

For example, if I drank too much the night before, I will down those hongsam juice drinks for energy and also some vitamin drinks. These play havoc on the guts sometimes, so the day after that, I will drink some of those 'gut' drinks which are those chalky yoghurt ones. Back home, I wouldn't really do anything different other than eat and drink as I would on any other day. I also pat the bottles of potions on the 'arse' like Korean guys do to kind of get myself psyched up before opening them lol. I also tap my cigs on the table before lighting even though I know it makes no difference to the flavor (or does it?) When I go to the sauna, I will sink into the hot pool and let out a nice long 'graaaaaaah.' There is something infectious about these sort of 'macho behaviours' I find. At the same time I know that if I did them back home, people would look at me funny. But I do enjoy them, it's like 'I'm a man and I WILL express my inner man.'

Lord knows how friends back home would react if I did these things when I go back; one said I was 'acting weird' the first time I came home from Korea for cooking noodles and eating them and kimchi with chopsticks.....

[toby99]

I've become an alcohol-swilling, chain-smokin' womanizer, so I guess I have a lot in common with a good percentage of adjosshis.

[PeteJB]

A Korean girl once told me that foreign guys who stay in Korea too long end up just like every other regular Korean guy.

[Captain Corea]

I often cover my mouth when I talk on my cell.

[chrisinkorea2011]

Yeah definitely!

I have slanted eyes, high cheekbones, speak korean, etc....but i think its because im korean lol

seriously though, i think everyone who lives and teaches here picks up some habits that are korean like. The whole kimchi and chopsticks with noodles actually is more broadened like an asian thing, same with covering your mouth while talking. A lot of chinese or japanese friends do it and say it is common place.

I think the funniest thing is what TFW world said "...sometimes i think im korean"

This place will do that to ya! haha

[eamo]

Impatience. Bali Bali has slowly seeped into my consciousness over the last 10 years.

I now get mildly irritated if someone doesn't immediately press the 'close doors' button on elevators.

In restaurants, I get impatient if my food doesn't come to the table in less than 7 minutes.

In my car I start honking at the driver in front if he/she doesn't go the same second as the light turns green.

Many other examples could be listed.....

Not proud of any of this. All this behaviour would mark me out as a very uncool person back in Ireland.......ah well.....

[TheUrbanMyth]

Not really.

I've actually mellowed out more.

[PeteJB]

[missty]

I now turn my head to the side when I am drinking something like soju.

[Squire]

Flying through red lights

[Skipperoo]

The whole 'touching the forearm' when passing something is pretty much a reflex now, I always feel daft when I realise I'm doing it to a foreigner.

[Draz]

[swinewho]

I've started hitting defenceless animals when ever they run near me.

Firstly with my hand, now I carry a little stick!

[Mix1]

-Eat more soup, including slurping and saying "ghaaaah" after every slurp
-Stopped smiling so much
-talk less in general, especially about myself (a good thing IMO)
-pushier
-more arrogant (at least in outward mannerisms)
-spitting in random locations
-more impatient
-littering on the street sometimes (NEVER did that back home)
-Walking more erect (like with a stick in the a..)
-Not moving for people on the street unless they are old or if they move a little first
-Dislike hearing English spoken in a loud voice (especially by whiny chicks)
-clap once very loud and then scream in a high pitched voice at jokes (ok that one not so much)
-dress less casual
-drink more often
-Eat more veggies and rice
-worry more about appearance: weight and clothing
-worry more about social status and money matters
-angry if the restaurant food isn't brought to me within 6 minutes
-worry about banmal vs. jondaemal when being spoken to
-treatment of women (less considerate in general and more bossy)
-more critical of random people I don't even know

Obviously not all of these are positive traits and not all are specifically Korean, but these are just some changes I and others have noticed about me since I've been here.

I may need to enter a 12 step program or cultural reprogramming workshop when I go home. Although, at least I still hold the door open for people behind me so there's still hope.

[Squire]