Korean Job Discussion Forums

[peppermint]

I was reading something in the current events forum about how 64% of women in Japan have been groped while on the train, and it got me thingking.

Have you been harassed or worse here? This is mostly for the women, sorry guys This is not an invitation to bash Korean men- There's around 25 million males in this country, I'm sure there'd be a few pervs in any group that size.

[peppermint]

I have, several times- though mostly minor things.. I had a male adult student call me a word that wouldn't get past the swear filter once, during a freetalking class about sex ed in schools (damn pagoda texbooks), had another repeatedly try to get me into bed.

I get asked if I'm Russian fairly often, and how much( accompanied by a leer) once in a while.

I'd describe myself as average lookiing and I dress pretty conservatively unless I'm in the club, so I can't imagine this is anything exceptional. Is it?

[sparkx]

My girlfriend came to visit me last year for two weeks. Since i was working during the day, she was off exploring Seoul on her own most of the time.

She was fully groped on the subway twice, asked if she was Russian numerous times (once when i was with her) and hit-on by some drunk korean guy in bar with me sitting right across from her.

At the end of the 2 weeks she politely told me that she will NEVER come back here to visit me...and she hasn't.

[Hank Scorpio]

[peppermint]

Of course you can still comment, and I can still imagine stomping on your foot while wearing stilettos- fair?

[osangrl]

My old boss in Songpa used to try and grab my boobs or kiss me almost on a daily basis.

He also kept saying to me "im a rich man.... you may not be attracted to me... but my money will make you very happy"

creep.

[Hank Scorpio]

[Chillin' Villain]

This thread sorta serves as a good complement to all of the comments regarding Casey's Moon's (sounds weird as a possissive noun) reluctance to go solo to the gathering, huh?

Not that I'm saying women are weak and need a male chaperone everywhere they go or anything... Hell, my girl went to Hongdae a couple weeks ago on her own; I told her I was a bit worried about it and didn't care for it much, but she basically told me she was a big girl, could take care of herself, and off she went. No probs.

Still, things happen regularly here, be it with Korean or foreign guys- there's no ignoring that. Some girls have their ways of handling it, but some would rather just not have it happen in the first place... It's like that Korean expression... You don't stay away from crap cuz you're scared of it, you stay away from it cuz it's crap, man! Yuck!

Or something like that.

[periwinkle]

I had an appointment at a modeling/acting agency yesterday, so I dressed the part, wearing high-heeled boots that almost come up to my knees with a mini-skirt that reached to the top of my knees, which really isn't all that mini. I didn't look slutty, I just looked fashionable, and totally in keeping with Korean fashion trends. Some f-er leered at me out the cab of his porter truck and said "Russian......." GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

Then some dude followed me out of the subway car (first, he sat next to me when there were plenty of other seats available at that), asking me if I was Canadian. What? I totally gave him the cold shoulder because as far as I'm concerned, polite people shouldn't follow young single women around- it puts us in an uncomfortable situation, and it's just plain not safe. I wish I could bring my Shar-Pei with me everywhere I go. People give me a wide berth, for sure.��������

I could go on in a diatribe, but I won't. I've vented to my Korean boyfriend, but as it is with Koreans, he makes excuses, and usually finishes with the old, "Yeah, but this happens in the U.S., too". WhatEVER!

So! I have thought about sending a letter to the editors of K. newspapers trying to educate people about how not all western women in Korea are hooking! Alas, I don't have to Korean to pull this off. Maybe my K b/f can translate. Not holding my breath, though.

I have thought about making t-shirts and selling them in Itaewon that say, in Korean, "No, I'm not Russian"; "Leave me alone"; "Me Gook Saram animneeda" (For me Australian friend), etc. However, Koreans won't get it, and they will just think it's funny. Sigh........

This is what I have done: on my tv show (prefer not to say which show, cause they put me in ill-fitting clothes that make me look like a Heifer), I do a cultural corner, and I have pointed out you should ask people, "Where are you from?", and not assume they're from the Ukraine, etc. I DID mention how I always get the "Are you Russian?", and my Korean co-host looked me up and down and we both shrugged.

I think I'm going to write a letter to the Korea Times. I've really had enough. Well, I promised not to give a diatribe, so I'll stop now. It's nice to know I'm not alone in this, because many people don't know how degrading it is to be subjected to this bull every SINGLE DAY!!!! I'm off to beat my head against the wall..........

[dogbert]

It's great to have a supportive boyfriend.

[peppermint]

[T-dot]

its not just korean men on foreign women.

I've actually seen quite a bit of foreigners that sexually harrass the korean teacher. Things that could be prosecutable at home like ass grabbing etc. Most of the korean teachers keep their mouth shut and try to ignore it because the foreign teachers have the secure job. Most wonja nims would get rid of the korean teacher before the foreign one.

[casey's moon]

[Real Reality]

T-dot wrote,
"foreign teachers have the secure job."

[Butterfly]