Korean Job Discussion Forums

Sofa_King · Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Location: South Korea

So I was at a bank yesterday trying to send money home. I just opened an account with this bank and this was the first time that I attempted to send money home. I'm sitting there with my coteacher when the bank manager starts yelling at her that I should just do it online. She translates this to me, and I tell her that I had already had a friend call the bank's help line and they told me it's impossible for a foreigner to send money internationally online. Also, they told me that I should go to my Hana Bank and bring my pay stubs and a certificate of employment from my employer...not a problem.

After this was translated back to the manager, he had a hissy fit, and shouted in Korean, "He's probably here illegally. Most waygooks that are here that work at these shady hogwans are illegal. How do I know this guy is a real teacher." My coteacher looked at him and told him that I am a legitimate teacher working at an elementary school just up the hill. Then, she translated this all back to me while he was on the phone checking on whether I could send money home online.

I was so angered and annoyed by this idiot. When he got off the phone and realized that what I was telling him about online banking was correct, he looked at me and could tell that I was quite angered. I stared at him, and said, "You must not be a real banker. I know more about this than you. May I see your credentials?" Shock went over his face and he left to go to the back of the bank. About ten minutes later, he came out and gave me a pen and a calendar to try to please me. Then, through my coteacher translating, I told him that if he ever treats me like he did today, I will contact the Hana Bank office and report him.

That��s it. Just a little story/rant about something that really angered me today. Comment if you'd like.

ChimpumCallao · Joined: 17 May 2005 Location: your mom

you handled it nicely. my goodness, it seems that there some korean guys HATE you white guys...basic jealousy. just be happy with the fact that the korean banker would cut off his left nut for your life and passport.

SPINOZA · Joined: 10 Jun 2005 Location: $eoul

Wonderful customer service, huh? It's crazy the stuff that happens to folk on here. I'm with KB and being treated anything but excellently by their staff is absolutely inconceivable. What an unprofessional son-of-a-b1tch he is! I'd report him anyway. Get co-teacher to do it. What action will be taken heaven knows but it's worth a try. He might've learned his lesson from you embarrassing him (which was excellent, btw) but I wouldn't hold your breath.

riley · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Location: where creditors can find me

Personally, I would have really gone off on him. Also it's worth being as small and petty as possible. I would have thrown his pen and calender in his face. I would also keep mentioning his attitude when you see him. Do you know his name? Everytime you go in, mention how bad he was to the counter. Yeah, I would have been really pissed, and I think you were pretty classy.

Wrench · Joined: 07 Apr 2005

Bank with Busan Bank and not a problem very friendly and helpful.

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

Seriously write a letter of complaint to the head of the Hana bank.

Metsuke · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

When I send my money home they bring me green tea... in case I get thirsty... Smile

periwinkle · Joined: 08 Feb 2003

I'm sorry that happened to you. I think you handled it quite well. How unprofessional. I hope he apologized. Sounds like you have a cool co-teacher. =) That dude has issues with whitie, fo sho.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

I had a funny bank experience, but I won't attribute it to discrimination.

I came in with the bill for my Internet, which was in my name. I showed the girl the bill, expecting her to accept my money and pay off the bill. But she hesitated. So I showed her whatever else she might need: bank card. Foreigner ID. Passport. She finally said, "We don't think this is your own bill."

Okay, I can't imagine why she'd get that idea, considering I had two pieces of ID and my bank card with me. Plus, it was only about 25 000.

I gave the bill to my girlfriend, and she went to another bank to pay. The teller took the bill from her, asked for the amount of money, and paid off the bill. No questions asked. The damn thing wasn't even in her name!

chiaa · Joined: 23 Aug 2003

We do a lot of business with a particular bank in Itaewon. The manager has to be the most condesending asshole I have ever met. We spend so much money there, I have no idea what he is thinking. He came to our store one day during his lunch break and just looked around being his dickish self. He asked how the hell we survive. I wanted to tell the *beep* that my salary is a lot more than his.

We are going to change banks one day, but being as complicated as all our accounts are, have never gotten around to it.

JongnoGuru · Joined: 25 May 2004 Location: peeing on your doorstep

ddeubel · Joined: 20 Jul 2005

Just one of those things...put it behind you. I'd of just walked out right there and then and withdrawn my cash at a later date...

But all banks are quite independent branches, so this isn't indicative of Hana or any other bank. I get coffee at my bank and a nice big chair......the manager looks a little menacing (and doing nothing ) as he walks around behind everyone's back but hey, that's his job.... The clerk and I smile and flirt........who knows what will happen next time I wire money? She knows my bank balance...

DD

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

And Koreans wonder why foreign owned banks outperform Korean banks and they're a dying breed...

TJ · Joined: 10 Mar 2003

Prior to my 4 years in Korea I travelled a lot, in Europe and S. E. Asia. Only once did I come across a rude bank manager and that was in Germany. Furthermore, the manager was not confronting a customer, he was verbally abusing one of his own staff ...... in full view of everyone in the bank.

My German language skills are minimal but it was obvious what was being said. It was embarassing to see and hear such abuse of an employee in public. If that had happened in Australia the manager would probably have had his teeth knocked down his throat. (Well, a slight exageration but no Aussie bank staff would stand for that sort of abuse)

On a more positive note all bank staff I have had dealings with in Korea, at all levels, have been friendly and courteous. Similarly, the (Korean) customers either ignored me or smiled at me. A few even attempted to start a conversation.

In short, I have no complaints about Korean banks and their staff.