Korean Job Discussion Forums

makushi · Joined: 08 Jun 2003

For some time now I have been quite perplexed on how best to handle the following recurring situation:

I'm peacefully walking down the road (by myself, or possibly with my wife and our two children) when a group of students (ranging in age from 4-20) approach from the opposite direction. Once I've been spotted the whole groups starts shouting "hello" or "how are you."

For some reason, I don't think they are really expecting a response (well except for some type of freaky foreign epileptic monkey type thing) and really can't decide if I should respond invidually to each "hello", or do a group thing (sure to get lots of laughs), or just ignore them.

I am trying my best to be culturally sensitive and at the same time maintain my sanity, but I think I may failing at one and losing the other.

Last week we were at an old castle in Pu-Yo and the whole time we were walking kids were running up behind me, yelling "hello" then heartily laughing as they ran away. Their teachers/parents didn't seem to mind, but my children (Korean/Caucausian) weren't really sure what to think.

Please advise...

denz · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2003 12:18 am Post subject:

i smile and say hi. they usually run out of english and run off anyway.

denz

Butterfly · Joined: 02 Mar 2003 Location: Kuwait

Presuming that these are kids in the community where you live, and you haven't lived there that long, just keep ignoring them. Eventually they'll get bored and stop. It's best not to respond.

denz

The Lemon · Joined: 11 Jan 2003

Smiling and saying hi (or "anyong") is a good policy.

You may not want to bother though if you're the target of the heckling "hellos" that 12 year old boys specialize in, which usually come from behind you. Give them a "ni hao", or just ignore them. Ignoring them's fun because it makes them yell louder, as they demand a response.

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

I rely on "*beep* off."

gang ah jee · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: city of paper

me, i like it.

best time was walking behind some kids. one kid sees me and goes to his buddy:

'dude, don't look now, but there's a white guy behind you!'

so when the kid turned around i did a bit rousing hello chorus of my own. made my day.

ya can't do that back in New Zealand.

rudyflyer · Joined: 26 Feb 2003 Location: pacing the cage

I try to ignore them especially the 12 year olds. If I'm particularly annoyed a *beep* off my be in order.

It gets really annoying its not like these people haven't seen a foreigner before

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

I have different responses according to my mood at the time..

Generally, however, I almost never ever just say 'hi' back and go about my way.. 'ignoring' is my favored response, or ignore them and giving them a funny look like 'do i know you?', but then don't respond and move on..

if I feel a little alive, particularly when I'm with friends, I'll make a big deal out of it, go with it, shake hands, and wave shouting 'hi, hi, hi there, hi!'.. basically mimicking whatever they are doing until they walk away.. thats the mischivious mood that comes out.. generally when drinking..

HamuHamu · Joined: 01 May 2003 Location: Seoul

When it's the group of 7 year old girls, I prefer the "Annyong Haseyo!" with a little head bow and a smile.

It's fun to watch the whole group stop dead in their tracks and go "OH!" and look at each other with shock and surprise and complete amazement on their faces. Then they turn to each other and start saying "blah blah blah, weygookin seonsangnim, blah blah blah, hungeul-mal, 'hello' blah blah, 'annyong haseyo!' blah blah!!!!"

And you know what they are saying is "OH MY G O D! There's a weygook teacher over there, and I just said Hello, and she said Annoyng haseyo to me! She must speak in Korean! Wooooaaaowww"

It makes me fall over laughing.

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

If a little kid looks me in the eye & says hi or hello in a friendly tone, I always respond with a soft hi & a smile. Some burst into giggles but thats usually just the first time or 2. I walk a regular route to work & often pass the same kids -- I'm really pleased that they just give me a nice hello now & its no big deal. The foreigner is a little less of mystery.

I think if we blithely ignore them, or worse, respond negatively, they get the idea that westerners are cold & unfriendly. Teens are more problematic -- theyre bolder, like to show off to their friends, & havent learned much decorum yet. Unless I know them personally, I usually respond with just a friendly nod -- that usually disarms them. But I never acknowlege 'greetings' shouted from behind me -- I just go my merry way & hope the rude kid feels a bit foolish.

gang ah jee · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: city of paper

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

In New Zealand when I walked around my old area people would say hi, so I don't mind saying hi back.

That said, it depends on the age group, for kids I say
I'll say 'hi how are you? Then say seeya later as they retreat.'

12 year old boys I haven't had a problem with, yet.

Weird adjumas touching me is something I could use advice on.

CLG

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003