Korean Job Discussion Forums

[charlieDD]

On my recent trip to Hong Kong, I bought some items at a store that totalled over HK$500, which, unbeknownst to me, qualified me for a discount coupon of HK$50 on my next purchase there. The cashier, who didn't speak English, directed me through gestures to a customer service counter, where I was given the coupon.

Contrast this with: At the Shilla Bakery in Samsung Plaza at SeoHyeon Station, there was a sort of random-picking / luck card you got if you spent over 10,000 won. You picked a card, scratched off the cover to reveal how much discount you got, all the way up to 100%. I saw the Korean customer ahead of me get it and I read and basically understood the sign announcing the discount gift. So, I make my purchase, which totalled 12,300 won. I expect the cashier to direct me to take a card, but no, she asks for the 12,300 won. I ask her about the card. She hesitates, looks over to a fellow cashier and asks "Can foreigners get the discount card too?" ! ! !

Like, how the heck does it make any difference if a foreign or a Korean customer buys over 10,000 won? Is the discount funded by tax money? Of course not (but even it it were, I'm paying taxes just like the Koreans).

The second cashier seems reluctant to answer; they have a low-tone discussion and then decide they should let me have the card. I pick one that gives me 15% discount, I get my discount and move on, chuckling inside, but once more reminded that I am an outsider, a foreigner, an alien.

Why does it have to be this way?

[Atavistic]

I haven't had that problem yet. I get the little scratch cards at Face Shop. The fruit-selling ajummas also give me extra fruit all the time. I don't know why, I just go with it.

A few days ago I walked into a bookstore (no English foreign selection) and asked if they had anything on taekwondo. The guy handed me both parts of the Kukkiwon textbook and asked if they were for me.

I said yes, he asked if I had a black belt, I said no, that I was working on pal jang form. He asked where I was from, I said America. He asked if I studied taekwondo in America, I said yes. He asked if I liked taekwondo, I said yes, he turned around and gave me a 20% discount.

"You like taekwondo! You come to Korea for taekwondo! Discount!"

Kwanjangnim was amused when I told him, even more so when I said it was held in Korean. Said I was very Korean.

Good for you for sticking up for yourself, though. Sorry they were being stupid.

[The King of Kwangju]

Let me tell you my story:

Here in Toronto, there was a big Korean festival which included a raffle, the 1st prize of which was a free plane ticket to Korea.

I went there with my buddy, who studied Korean at UofT and speaks very well. We bought raffle tickets, and he won!

They were a little shocked, as there weren't many waygooks there, maybe 10 out of the 1000 Koreans. But my buddy got up on stage and gave an eloquent speech in Korean and made the front page of the Korean newspaper in Toronto.

The next year? "Waygooks" - that is, people without a Korean face - were not allowed to enter the raffle.

[SuperHero]

[Newbie]

[Son Deureo!]

[wylies99]

OP- happens here, all of the time.

[Qinella]

I haven't had anything like that happen to me so far. I did get a coupon for a free drink at Starbucks the other day, though.

[Son Deureo!]

[wylies99]

Some of you live in Seoul- and you are surrounded by foreigners.

Those of us in other parts of Korea are surrounded by Koreans who seem baffled/mystified/shocked that there are OUTLANDERS here.