Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Dave Chance]

As a comparison to the dust-ups about the spitting, lack of spatial awareness, and scooters on sidewalks going down in General Affairs , here's what expats have a hard time adjusting to in Japan, specifically Tokyo.

Japanese TV interviews-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PD2Ej2A1zAc&feature=player_embedded

Explanation in English-

http://www.japantoday.com/category/lifestyle/view/what-do-foreigners-find-strange-about-japan-ntv-finds-out

[tatertot]

This could be a fun thread if people posted about things they couldn't get used to in ANY country they had visited/lived in.

[nate1983]

I only went to Japan once, but noticed that a lot of foreigners seemed to be pretty proficient in the local language compared to their peers in Korea. I can't imagine Korean TV going down to Itaewon and interviewing so many foreigners in Korean.

[ThingsComeAround]

[joelove]

Also, it seems to me that some language speaking ability is more necessary in Japan (and China) than in Korea, in order to be understood by the average local. Seems like Korea is generally just a bit easier to function in with crap speaking ability.

[Dave Chance]

U also need decent manners polished to a certain degree and adjusted to their sense of decorum in order to interact with the locals in Japan

[Mix1]

Those complaints seem relatively tame compared to what you hear round these parts sometimes.

Although some were similar and one was the same: the Japanese do the dong chim thing too? Ok, come clean, who stole it from whom?

Apparently it's illegal in Japan though (based on info in the comments sections).

[Dave Chance]

Prostitution is also offically illegal in Japan

[happiness]

i lived in both and i speak both langauges, and Ill just say, ive been here, banking it and living well for a long time, but my life in japan was so much more fulfilling. japanese are very japanese, but theyre very open to sharing it. alot of variety and true interest in their communities and things there.

i think the difference is i dont find the locals willing to SHARE Korea, just chastise you for not being Korean. This stems from the passive education system.

active and passive

i miss japan and go there often. i still talk to a few of my friends there, but very few korean friends from before. this probably stems from people being controlled by dictators/overlords/teachers/etc and so they just focus on who to appease at the moment.

this is here and that is there. i like the money much more. i can still (and do) order and buy tons of my favorite japanese clothes/gadgets/etc here...

[Dave Chance]

Lord yes, it's night and day.

It's pretty interesting because today's Japanese people actually came over from Korea, especially the Baekjae nation who were routed in war by the Silla.

Their invasions of Korea can therefore be viewed from a "retaking the motherland" viewpoint, especially when you consider how piss poor and undeserving the Joseon elite were...some Korean historians even claim that the founder of Joseon wasn't actually Korean, which if true would further bolster Baekjae's claims on her original stomping grounds..."reclaiming Korea from barbarians" as it were...(psst make sure u don't mention this in the presence of another Korean...just sayiin'...)

In any case, had Hideyoshi succeeded during the first invasion, it's probably safe to say this would have been quite a different country...not that J-pop, J-fashion, and J-business paradigms (i.e., the auto and video gaming industries) haven't left their mark here, not to mention railway technology, factories, and udon/ takoyaki octopus balls

[Adventurer]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[pkang0202]

I find, in general, that Japanese are very good at hiding their emotions than Koreans.

It can be a good thing or bad thing. At least in Korea, there is no guessing at what someone thinks of you.


For me, at least, the whole "politeness" thing is Japan bothers me. Like one of the interviewers said in the link, Japanese people are two-faced. I don't like the facade they put up.

In Korea, like it or not, you will know right off the bat if someone likes you or hates you.

[nukeday]

I think there are extremes on both sides.

Yeah, it isn't cool for someone to pretend to like you and hang out with you while they secretly despise you. When I lived in Japan, I'm pretty sure my landlady despised me. When she'd see me, she'd give me something of a grimace before forcing a smile.

On the other hand, Korean frankness goes a bit over the top. "My god, your hair is terrible!" isn't really great small talk when you first meet someone. It comes off as really childish. I remember embarrassing my family when I was 5 years old by pointing out obese people at the super market. Most of us grow out of that.

I guess I'll take manners over so-called honesty.

[happiness]

yeah like i said i speak both langauges and i learned to read the body langauge and non-verbal cues quite well in Japan. Korea also has some non verbal cues. I think the difference is anything a Korean will say to you, save your closest friend or bf/gf, will come from a power position, if you are in a higher/lower position. For example, a Korean must use a title when they speak to one another. Japanese use names quite often. Of course, 社長 means boss and is used often just like 사장님, but for other things, names are quite common.

I also will take manners over honesty. I just walked into a coffeeshop, and Im dressed quite stylishly, and I could feel a few of the "what is he doing here" looks? Idiots playing with the smartphones, talking about Audi cars. lol

But yes, Koreans generally usually dont recognize anything I do, except my Korean language skills. I know alot about Korea history, etc, but they dont like me to speak of it. Ive been at my job for 8 + years, I built alot of the programs back in the day that they still use, but unless the boss is directly there telling them to take my advice, they wont listen.

haha I was told to ask a young teacher, who hasnt had a full 2 years experience (vs my 15+), how to do a program that I made! When I told her that, she went and told the boss I wouldnt let her teach me!

Of course, the whole point of that is she wanted to be the boss.

All communication is about power here. In Japan, there is a much bigger idea exchange. Maybe not the boss, but there, its alot more about info between people.

Communication here is quite passive, and reactive. I was thinking this again today. How to NOT get into trouble. Not HOW to impress the boss, students.

passive (korea) vs active (japan)

I miss the book and magazine culture of Japan. I always bring back a bunch of magazines from there. ..

korean mens fashion is now like Japanese save for no brand recognition, and no sense of style. The young guys wear that page-boy cut on their head like a helmet, just like their dads all had the bowl-cut. I even got laughed at because when my bangs were too long, I parted my hair to the side. I was told only old people do that.

man, I love being an westerner. the choices are great.

Look, Japan made the Jet program to "introduce the Japanese to foreingers." Korea's english education has stated no such thing, and has no intentions. Its more of a by-product.

Personally, I hope they keep on being afraid of foreigners and keep being nationalists for at least another 20 years. Keep that head down and eyes on those books.

Thats how we can keep making money....