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Alyssa
Joined: 15 Jan 2006
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 Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 1:31 pm Post subject: Alice in Wonderland |
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| That is what I feel like at my school, on the street, even at the drinking bars. I do not want to be at the center of attention, but it seems like everywhere I go I am put at the head of the table, and everyone is looking right at me. I get on the bus and guys of all ages MOVE TOWARDS ME, they all have this half smile and then the words 'where come from' or............'very beautiful' comes out. I thought that putting my hair up would hinder them, or wearing a baseball cap, but still the looks, the attention, I am going crazy. I was sitting alone in a place today with a bowl of beep n pub when three university guys come in and JOIN MY TABLE! I did not want to be rude, but after the usual short interview, they ORDER FOOD AND START TALKING TO ME, all at once. I smiled, was polite, and when I left they paid for my meal, but I would have gladly done it just to have peace and quiet. I guess I must be going through culture shock about now, but anyways, I feel like the guys here are a cross between fonzy (from happy days) and uncle fester (from the Adams family). THey want to be cool, but have manners that make even monsters turn away. Oh well, at least I have the day off tomorrow. |
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TOGirl
Joined: 16 Jan 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 3:50 pm Post subject: |
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I'm not sure how long you have been in Korea but you will get used to it and when you are tired of it you will learn to use the expression that says get away from me.
I felt like this when I got there but its something you get used. And just think your like a movie star and people think your beautiful, just try to take it as a compliment.  |
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endofthewor1d
Joined: 01 Apr 2003
Location: the end of the wor1d.
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| Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 4:15 pm Post subject: Re: Alice in Wonderland |
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| Alyssa wrote: |
| That is what I feel like at my school, on the street, even at the drinking bars. I do not want to be at the center of attention, but it seems like everywhere I go I am put at the head of the table, and everyone is looking right at me. I get on the bus and guys of all ages MOVE TOWARDS ME, they all have this half smile and then the words 'where come from' or............'very beautiful' comes out. I thought that putting my hair up would hinder them, or wearing a baseball cap, but still the looks, the attention, I am going crazy. I was sitting alone in a place today with a bowl of beep n pub when three university guys come in and JOIN MY TABLE! I did not want to be rude, but after the usual short interview, they ORDER FOOD AND START TALKING TO ME, all at once. I smiled, was polite, and when I left they paid for my meal, but I would have gladly done it just to have peace and quiet. I guess I must be going through culture shock about now, but anyways, I feel like the guys here are a cross between fonzy (from happy days) and uncle fester (from the Adams family). THey want to be cool, but have manners that make even monsters turn away. Oh well, at least I have the day off tomorrow. |
hang in there. it gets better. of course, i always liked the attention.
but i've found there comes a time when you come to have a certain vibe about you that says to other people 'i've been here for a while. don't offer me a fork.'
i remember when i first got here random strangers on the street seemed a lot more friendly than they do now. they aren't unfriendly now, mind you, but they are more likely to walk by me without giving me a second thought.
my advice, suck down the free beep n pub while the gettin's good. good luck! |
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tomato
Joined: 31 Jan 2003
Location: I get so little foreign language experience, I must be in Koreatown, Los Angeles.
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| Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 2:02 am Post subject: |
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Alyssa, could you please post a picture of yourself?
You got me curious! |
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crazylemongirl
Joined: 23 Mar 2003
Location: almost there...
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| Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 3:47 am Post subject: |
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Quite simple, you don't give off a don't f' with me attuide. I got far more attention when I was a fat burnette becuase I was too nice.
Tips for avoiding freaks.
1. Don't smile in public. Look around, you won't see other women here smile much unless it's with their friends.
2. Avoid eye contact.
3. Use your classroom death stare if someone is starting to come into your space.
4. Don't go to bars by yourself. |
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JongnoGuru
Joined: 25 May 2004
Location: peeing on your doorstep
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| Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 4:25 am Post subject: |
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You forgot #5: When in public, respect local sensibilities by wearing appropriate attire for foreign teachers at all times.
| crazylemongirl wrote: |
Quite simple, you don't give off a don't f' with me attuide. I got far more attention when I was a fat burnette becuase I was too nice.
Tips for avoiding freaks.
1. Don't smile in public. Look around, you won't see other women here smile much unless it's with their friends.
2. Avoid eye contact.
3. Use your classroom death stare if someone is starting to come into your space.
4. Don't go to bars by yourself. |
In general, don't be yourself -- be what's expected of you.
CLG, I'm not trying to be a jerk about this. (it just comes naturally!) And I think your advice is all very reasonable. It's just... reading that OP and looking at that checklist. I'm sure I'd start to go mad after a year of that. |
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Mashimaro
Joined: 31 Jan 2003
Location: location, location
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| Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 4:32 am Post subject: |
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why don't people do this stuff to me? I'm dying for a chance to chew someone out in korean  |
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crazylemongirl
Joined: 23 Mar 2003
Location: almost there...
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| Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 4:41 am Post subject: |
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| JongnoGuru wrote: |
CLG, I'm not trying to be a jerk about this. (it just comes naturally!) And I think your advice is all very reasonable. It's just... reading that OP and looking at that checklist. I'm sure I'd start to go mad after a year of that. |
Honestly I don't notice it after awhile. It's just in korea you need your 'out and about' persona as the crazies can drive you nuts after awhile too! |
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jacl
Joined: 31 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 7:06 am Post subject: Re: Alice in Wonderland |
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| endofthewor1d wrote: |
| Alyssa wrote: |
| That is what I feel like at my school, on the street, even at the drinking bars. I do not want to be at the center of attention, but it seems like everywhere I go I am put at the head of the table, and everyone is looking right at me. I get on the bus and guys of all ages MOVE TOWARDS ME, they all have this half smile and then the words 'where come from' or............'very beautiful' comes out. I thought that putting my hair up would hinder them, or wearing a baseball cap, but still the looks, the attention, I am going crazy. I was sitting alone in a place today with a bowl of beep n pub when three university guys come in and JOIN MY TABLE! I did not want to be rude, but after the usual short interview, they ORDER FOOD AND START TALKING TO ME, all at once. I smiled, was polite, and when I left they paid for my meal, but I would have gladly done it just to have peace and quiet. I guess I must be going through culture shock about now, but anyways, I feel like the guys here are a cross between fonzy (from happy days) and uncle fester (from the Adams family). THey want to be cool, but have manners that make even monsters turn away. Oh well, at least I have the day off tomorrow. |
hang in there. it gets better. of course, i always liked the attention.
but i've found there comes a time when you come to have a certain vibe about you that says to other people 'i've been here for a while. don't offer me a fork.'
i remember when i first got here random strangers on the street seemed a lot more friendly than they do now. they aren't unfriendly now, mind you, but they are more likely to walk by me without giving me a second thought.
my advice, suck down the free beep n pub while the gettin's good. good luck! |
The fork thing is funny. After I was at my first job here, I was out with the boss, a couple of other teachers, and a guy from immigration. We were eating the sam gyeopsal thing and I poke my chopsticks into some pork because it was easier at the time. He goes, "Oooh. Ajumma, ajumma. paorka (forK), blah, blah" I waved my hand in a "no" fashion. I use chopsticks better than Koreans and they've told me so. I live in Taiwan for 2 years and only used a fork about 3 times.  |
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Alyssa
Joined: 15 Jan 2006
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| Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 12:46 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for all the advice, today was a better day 
It really feels good to be able to come to this place when things seem so bleak! |
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Hollywoodaction
Joined: 02 Jul 2004
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| Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 2:09 pm Post subject: Re: Alice in Wonderland |
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| endofthewor1d wrote: |
| Alyssa wrote: |
| That is what I feel like at my school, on the street, even at the drinking bars. I do not want to be at the center of attention, but it seems like everywhere I go I am put at the head of the table, and everyone is looking right at me. I get on the bus and guys of all ages MOVE TOWARDS ME, they all have this half smile and then the words 'where come from' or............'very beautiful' comes out. I thought that putting my hair up would hinder them, or wearing a baseball cap, but still the looks, the attention, I am going crazy. I was sitting alone in a place today with a bowl of beep n pub when three university guys come in and JOIN MY TABLE! I did not want to be rude, but after the usual short interview, they ORDER FOOD AND START TALKING TO ME, all at once. I smiled, was polite, and when I left they paid for my meal, but I would have gladly done it just to have peace and quiet. I guess I must be going through culture shock about now, but anyways, I feel like the guys here are a cross between fonzy (from happy days) and uncle fester (from the Adams family). THey want to be cool, but have manners that make even monsters turn away. Oh well, at least I have the day off tomorrow. |
hang in there. it gets better. of course, i always liked the attention.
but i've found there comes a time when you come to have a certain vibe about you that says to other people 'i've been here for a while. don't offer me a fork.'
i remember when i first got here random strangers on the street seemed a lot more friendly than they do now. they aren't unfriendly now, mind you, but they are more likely to walk by me without giving me a second thought.
my advice, suck down the free beep n pub while the gettin's good. good luck! |
That's because you're already old news in the gossip network. |
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Hollywoodaction
Joined: 02 Jul 2004
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| Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 2:12 pm Post subject: Re: Alice in Wonderland |
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| jacl wrote: |
| endofthewor1d wrote: |
| Alyssa wrote: |
| That is what I feel like at my school, on the street, even at the drinking bars. I do not want to be at the center of attention, but it seems like everywhere I go I am put at the head of the table, and everyone is looking right at me. I get on the bus and guys of all ages MOVE TOWARDS ME, they all have this half smile and then the words 'where come from' or............'very beautiful' comes out. I thought that putting my hair up would hinder them, or wearing a baseball cap, but still the looks, the attention, I am going crazy. I was sitting alone in a place today with a bowl of beep n pub when three university guys come in and JOIN MY TABLE! I did not want to be rude, but after the usual short interview, they ORDER FOOD AND START TALKING TO ME, all at once. I smiled, was polite, and when I left they paid for my meal, but I would have gladly done it just to have peace and quiet. I guess I must be going through culture shock about now, but anyways, I feel like the guys here are a cross between fonzy (from happy days) and uncle fester (from the Adams family). THey want to be cool, but have manners that make even monsters turn away. Oh well, at least I have the day off tomorrow. |
hang in there. it gets better. of course, i always liked the attention.
but i've found there comes a time when you come to have a certain vibe about you that says to other people 'i've been here for a while. don't offer me a fork.'
i remember when i first got here random strangers on the street seemed a lot more friendly than they do now. they aren't unfriendly now, mind you, but they are more likely to walk by me without giving me a second thought.
my advice, suck down the free beep n pub while the gettin's good. good luck! |
The fork thing is funny. After I was at my first job here, I was out with the boss, a couple of other teachers, and a guy from immigration. We were eating the sam gyeopsal thing and I poke my chopsticks into some pork because it was easier at the time. He goes, "Oooh. Ajumma, ajumma. paorka (forK), blah, blah" I waved my hand in a "no" fashion. I use chopsticks better than Koreans and they've told me so. I live in Taiwan for 2 years and only used a fork about 3 times. |
Kind of like being warned a dish is spicy even though you've ordered the meal in fluent Korean. |
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