Korean Job Discussion Forums

[HANGRY]

This never happened to me in the states, maybe because I'm just more naturally paranoid there, but I swear ever since I came to this country I've had my umbrella stolen like 3 times now. Once at a restaurant. Once at a gathering. Latest time was at my school. Sometimes they do a "swap" like my nicer one for their shitty one. Other times they just leave me high and dry (or wet rather).

Is it just me?

I think I'm just gonna use a small one from now on so I am forced to carry it everywhere.

[Steelrails]

Back home did you take your umbrella to your seat or did you dump it in a glorified wastebasket like you do here?

And there's your answer.

[Drew345]

I had one taken outside a market, but didn't notice right away because was in my home building. Went back 30 minutes later, left another umbrella outside, went in to ask about my first umbrella, came back out and the second one was gone. Like gone in 60 seconds...
On the other hand, I have accidentally left my keys in my scooter twice, and nobody touches it...

[Trip]

In the movie Blade, Blade's sword had spikes that would explode out of the handle if an opponent happened to grab it. You should invent that for umbrellas.

[asdfghjkl]

I usually steal umbrellas. I don't think it's as big of a deal as you're making it out to be. Just because some things are different in America doesn't mean the whole world is going to bend over for you, OP.

[HANGRY]

[eventually]

funny you mention. mine was stolen this morning. not a fun surprise when i had to walk to school in bolaven weather...i think stealing an umbrella is one of the biggest dick moves, plain and simple. you know when you do that you are leaving another person to get drenched. and that person had the foresight to bring an umbrella.

that asjfka person is joking, right? not stealing isn't exactly the rude western concept you're making it out to be there chief

[asdfghjkl]

[JustinC]

Hey cool, I thought I was just being a forgetful dumb ass, at least they're being used. I guess I'll have to spend another 5k - fourth bought in 6 months.

[schwa]

[cj1976]

I have had umbrellas stolen too. It is not some quaint little cultural quirk of those darling South Koreans. It's straight-up theft.

[UknowsI]

When I go out drinking I pretty much expect my umbrella to be taken, so I just bring a cheap 3000 won umbrella and as long as everyone does the same, I don't really think it's a big problem if they get mixed up. I haven't quite experienced the same here, but when I went out in Japan they would literally just make a huge pile of 100 umbrellas at the entrance of the club and there would be no way you would be able to find your own umbrella when you're leaving. In that situation, the bring a cheap umbrella and take another random cheap umbrella makes perfect sense.

On the other hand, the umbrella I bring to work every day is a 20k umbrella, and when we got for lunch I expect to get it back. It gets quite small when you fold it together, so I've never had any problems with bringing it into a restaurant.

Edit: Just to clarify, I have never purposely taken another persons umbrella, but it has happened a couple of times that I have noticed the next day after a night of drinking that the umbrella I came home with was slightly different from the umbrella I went out with.

[cj1976]

How about the adorable young scamp that took my bike? Is that not theft either?

[Steelrails]

In some situations it might be like the bike thing in small towns where if you are leave a crap looking bike unlocked it is fine for someone to borrow it. It is assumed that it is a "community bike". The thing might apply to umbrellas in some cases, though I'd imagine not in other situations and certainly wouldn't apply to umbrellas of obvious quality like the OP is talking about.

I think its supposed to apply to only the generic cheapy umbrellas and only if you dumped in an umbrella there as well. Where as the OP's situation sounds more like outright theft. In my case I just use a cheap crap umbrella.

I'm not sure on this. I remember someone vaguely mentioning it to me, but I live in a small town and this kind of thing might be different in Seoul or something.

[Skippy]

Yea, it happens. It is a minor crime of convenience for most Koreans. It is like Costco and the onions for hot dogs and pizzas. Some may feel it is okay because it happened to them in the past and many places build up a reserve of umbrellas at times. The bar I was to last night went from a couple to about 30 over night with maybe 5 customers when I arrived.

Good advice is to get cheap umbrella for going out on the town. For me it was not really theft but more just forget in taxi's. It builds up.


Actually what would piss me off more is shoe theft. Umbrella would suck, but finding your shoe gone would just be justified murder.

There was news a few years ago with the police catching a guy who had stolen over 1500 pairs. Also heard of premium theft in trendy areas of top line shoes. Imagine going in for some Korean BBQ and finding your Prada shoes gone.

http://koreankibble.wordpress.com/2012/06/26/shoe-thieves-beware/