Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jinglejangle]

I've had mostly positive experiences, especially from women, even discounting those who are clearly hitting me up for free englishy. But there have been quite a few negative ones as well.

I'm also especially curious about non caucasians' experiences, to include Asians, after their non korean identity was discovered.

Also curious about abuse directed at Korean wives of foreigners, and at mixed korean/westerner kids.

[chiaa]

A few years ago I was with a group of Koreans and we wanted to go into a club that was where the Limelight is now located. They would not let me in. Blew my mind that I was in the foreigner area and was not allowed in a club there.

Otherwise, nothing else.

[rapier]

I get a fair bit of passive aggro from the guys, especially if I'm with a Korean woman. So far it hasn't amounted to more than some aggressive stares,comments in Korean to another Korean, or attempts to draw me into some xenophobic conversation.
I get some attention from whackos too...anybody generally disgruntled with life I guess.

No attacks or direct intimidation though, maybe the occasional "Miguk go home" thing shouted from some distant person 100yards away..

[jinglejangle]

[Saxiif]

Aside from the constant whispering when I'm with my gf, I get treated like gold.

[peppermint]

I've recieved a lot of positive attention here, random compliments, discounts or extra bonuses and that kind of thing are pretty common. The thing is, the negative attention I've gotten while rare, has been quite intense at times. I realize they were the acts of a handful of freaks, and try not to let that color my view of the country and my treatment overall.

[Derrek]

I get the range of it. Sometimes I'm treated like a minor star. Other times (especially when I'm with a girl) I am soemtimes treated very rudely. I joined Itaewonguy and Kiwiboy for drinks in Hongdae once, and some young university k-guys continually tried to hit on the girls we were with. Itaewonguy heard much of what they said, which was basically a lot of questions for the girls like, "Why are you here with Western guys?" The guys just wouldn't go away, or take a hint to do so. The girls ignored them a lot.

As I've mentioned before, in three years here, I've been spit on twice, hit and pushed once, bumped hard another time, and one female friend I had lunch with was swung at by a crazy old schizo ajosshi as he swore at her for being with a foreigner. Other various cracks were made at me when I was with certain girls. I have learned that the cracks don't seem to happen if we are both dressed nicely. Odd, but true.

My current girlfriend and I don't seem to have too many troubles. She doesn't look like the typical "Itaewon type" and often doesn't like to wear make-up, so we don't get any flak. Sometimes I think it's because she always has this puppy-dog look in her eyes that says she's head-over-heels in love. We walk all over with arms around each other, or her head firmly buried into my side. I also think it has a lot to do with the clothing she wears, and that she looks more Japanese than Korean. She doesn't wear much crazy stuff yet, although I'm working on that. She is especially gifted with a fabulous pair of legs and adorable feet, and should show them off a bit (her female co-worker was enamoured with them, and took several pics for her cyworld page -- odd). My girl has always been the shy conservative type, but she's finding her confidence and is having fun with it.

Courtesy of me, she bought a pair of 11cm Nine-West heels, and she chipped in on some knee-high hose, and a mini-skirt for spring. I'm sure we'll get some angry stares after she wears that.

[just because]

If you are getting discriminated against just say this.

Cha-Byeol-hae-Yo?????? - basically means are you discrimating????

That should get their attention a little...

[jajdude]

It's hard to explain, isn't it? Most of us may not get much direct racism or whatever similar crap day to day, but after a good while here, like a few years, things can weigh on you. There's just something that weighs on the psychology. And it can be hard to take sometimes.

[Blind Willie]

Not a damned thing.

I'm just a sweetie.

[jinglejangle]

[jajdude]

I wish I could accurately describe what it is. It's the cumulative progession of memory heaping upon itself. It's mathematical. It's the everyday glum looks and little comments. It's the rude and ignorant kids. It's the inabiltiy to communicate. It's called living in a totally foreign culture. It's the crowds and the sameness of Koreans. It's a lot of things. It makes it a hard place to stay for long, unless you have breaks, or good social support.

It's a fine place to leave.

[Cthulhu]

jajdude wrote:

[shakuhachi]

Mostly positive, especially when they see I can speak Korean.

[Ya-ta Boy]

Overwhelmingly positive.

Only a couple of minor negative experiences (related to this topic)