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fudge
Joined: 01 Feb 2006
Location: London
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 Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 5:00 am Post subject: How are foreign asian/oriental people treated in Korea |
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This is to all you asian/oriental (Chinese/Japanese/Thai/Indian etc.) people in Korea. (if there is any that uses this forum.)
Of course this also includes anybody who are of asian/oriental origin but raised in the west e.g. Oz, NZ, UK, USA, Canada.
How has your life in Korea been?
How has your employer treated you?
What good and bad experiences have you had dealing with Koreans?
Because you are foreign, you are probably treated differently but have you been treated any different from your caucasian/black counterparts?
What do you like and dislike about Korea?
And to all you non-asians, how about letting us know if you have been treated any different from your asian colleagues/friends? |
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laogaiguk
Joined: 06 Dec 2005
Location: somewhere in Korea
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| Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 5:04 am Post subject: Re: How are foreign asian/oriental people treated in Korea |
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| fudge wrote: |
This is to all you asian/oriental (Chinese/Japanese/Thai/Indian etc.) people in Korea. (if there is any that uses this forum.)
Of course this also includes anybody who are of asian/oriental origin but raised in the west e.g. Oz, NZ, UK, USA, Canada.
How has your life in Korea been?
How has your employer treated you?
What good and bad experiences have you had dealing with Koreans?
Because you are foreign, you are probably treated differently but have you been treated any different from your caucasian/black counterparts?
What do you like and dislike about Korea?
And to all you non-asians, how about letting us know if you have been treated any different from your asian colleagues/friends? |
Depends. It will be harder to get a job in Korea or Japan. Not so bad in CHina (still a problem though). The lighter your skin, the better off you are. I know a few born in Korea and never left Korea Korean English teachers who are told to pretend to by Gyopos  |
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mateomiguel
Joined: 16 May 2005
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| Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 4:44 pm Post subject: |
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i don't quality to answer the post based on your criteria, but I once had a very nice, sweet, kind motherly teacher patiently explain to me that Koreans don't have to be nice to other Southeast Asians because Korea is richer than they are, and besides they're all lazy.
I've also heard that Japanese people are two-faced and Chinese always smell because they don't shower. This is not with the attitude of a racist joke, but a serious explanation in conversation.
I should have asked that ajumma how US citizens should treat her country if that was the criteria she used. |
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doggyji
Joined: 21 Feb 2006
Location: Toronto - Hamilton - Vineland - St. Catherines
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| Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 5:00 pm Post subject: |
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| mateomiguel wrote: |
| i don't quality to answer the post based on your criteria, but I once had a very nice, sweet, kind motherly teacher patiently explain to me that Koreans don't have to be nice to other Southeast Asians because Korea is richer than they are, and besides they're all lazy. |
Even if some people may subconciously look down on some poor countries by their own weird criteria, even for them it's rare and scarce to blatantly say something exactly like "Koreans don't have to be nice to other Southeast Asians because Korea is richer than they are, and besides they're all lazy". Just by the sound of it, a three year old kid knows it's ill. An ajumma who can speak English this much usually knows better. Or did you talk to her in Korean? I guess you've met a very rare type of ajumma. |
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4 months left
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 8:33 pm Post subject: |
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| doggyji wrote: |
| mateomiguel wrote: |
| i don't quality to answer the post based on your criteria, but I once had a very nice, sweet, kind motherly teacher patiently explain to me that Koreans don't have to be nice to other Southeast Asians because Korea is richer than they are, and besides they're all lazy. |
Even if some people may subconciously look down on some poor countries by their own weird criteria, even for them it's rare and scarce to blatantly say something exactly like "Koreans don't have to be nice to other Southeast Asians because Korea is richer than they are, and besides they're all lazy". Just by the sound of it, a three year old kid knows it's ill. An ajumma who can speak English this much usually knows better. Or did you talk to her in Korean? I guess you've met a very rare type of ajumma. |
I've taught adult and university students for 4 years and they're not afraid to give their opinion about SE Asians being inferior . Ever been to SE Asia? Ever asked their opinion about Koreans? |
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doggyji
Joined: 21 Feb 2006
Location: Toronto - Hamilton - Vineland - St. Catherines
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| Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 8:55 pm Post subject: |
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| 4 months left wrote: |
| I've taught adult and university students for 4 years and they're not afraid to give their opinion about SE Asians being inferior. Ever been to SE Asia? Ever asked their opinion about Koreans? |
I've been to only Thailand for a week. I know most Koreans don't care much about SEAsia in general except for a few places like Thailand as it's considered a nice travel destination in the region among Koreans. I know some people negatively look at poor nations in SEA but I don't think they usually hold a very strong opinion. I know they wouldn't say something stupid like this or that country's "inferior" or something. They can say it sucks but words like "inferior" make whole lot different impressions. Maybe I have been surrounded by bunch of extraordinary people..? Then have you ever asked their opinion about Koreans? If so, what did they say? I have only talked to some young girls from SEA. They were all positive. |
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ajgeddes
Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Location: Yongsan
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| Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 9:09 pm Post subject: |
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| doggyji wrote: |
| 4 months left wrote: |
| I've taught adult and university students for 4 years and they're not afraid to give their opinion about SE Asians being inferior. Ever been to SE Asia? Ever asked their opinion about Koreans? |
I've been to only Thailand for a week. I know most Koreans don't care much about SEAsia in general except for a few places like Thailand as it's considered a nice travel destination in the region among Koreans. I know some people negatively look at poor nations in SEA but I don't think they usually hold a very strong opinion. I know they wouldn't say something stupid like this or that country's "inferior" or something. They can say it sucks but words like "inferior" make whole lot different impressions. Maybe I have been surrounded by bunch of extraordinary people..? Then have you ever asked their opinion about Koreans? If so, what did they say? I have only talked to some young girls from SEA. They were all positive. |
Well, this is just one person, but my tour guide in Vietnam once said, "most Vietnamese like Korea, but don't like Koreans. Most Vietnamese don't like Japan, but like Japanese people."(Those weren't his exact words, but it was 2 years ago)
I doubt this is actually true, but it was his viewpoint and probably the view of the people he dealt with. |
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4 months left
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 9:24 pm Post subject: |
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I was in the Philippines a couple of time the last 8 months or so and pretty much everyone I talked to when I said I worked in Korea, just cringed and had nothing but very negative things to say. Not my opinion just repeating what I heard.
I've taught engineers, doctors, lawyers, etc. they pretty much look down on SE Asians and blacks. They respect whiteys because they have money but don't particularly like them. I'm don't pull any punches when asked for my opinion and they generally give me their honest opinion. I don't respond with what I know what students want to hear ie. the diplomatic answer. I think the extreme minority are open minded, hence the recent report in the newspaper that foreign investment is at a 26 year low in Korea.
Say what you want but when it comes down to an honest discussion you'll find out what they really think. Most people on this board will sugar coat it and say everything is roses and puppy dogs. |
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Yesterday
Joined: 15 Aug 2003
Location: Land of the Morning DongChim (Kancho)
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| Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 12:57 am Post subject: |
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Korean people generally dislike anybody is is "poorer" than them... or comes from a poor country/family...
Korean public school teachers think they are "much better" than anyone else - except doctors etc...
One korean teachers was talking to me about a grade one student (boy) and told me - don't try too hard to improve his English - I asked why? She told me - because he will never improve his English - its impossible - his father is a farmer......
That shows Korean peoples attitudes perfectly - depending on who your family etc is - is how they will treat you..... |
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tiger fancini
Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Location: Testicles for Eyes
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| Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 2:08 am Post subject: |
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| doggyji wrote: |
| 4 months left wrote: |
| I've taught adult and university students for 4 years and they're not afraid to give their opinion about SE Asians being inferior. Ever been to SE Asia? Ever asked their opinion about Koreans? |
I've been to only Thailand for a week. I know most Koreans don't care much about SEAsia in general except for a few places like Thailand as it's considered a nice travel destination in the region among Koreans. I know some people negatively look at poor nations in SEA but I don't think they usually hold a very strong opinion. I know they wouldn't say something stupid like this or that country's "inferior" or something. They can say it sucks but words like "inferior" make whole lot different impressions. Maybe I have been surrounded by bunch of extraordinary people..? Then have you ever asked their opinion about Koreans? If so, what did they say? I have only talked to some young girls from SEA. They were all positive. |
Last year I was in Pai, Thailand and met a Korean couple who were there. They were quite a bit older than most of the younger backpackers there, but they were absolutely lovely. The guy spoke broken English at best, and his wife was very quiet, but I witnessed many of the Thai's going out of their way to help these guys. Some of them spoke a little Japanese, which made communications easier, and they would also drag them along to the nice bars and restaurants, generally being very helpful. The Koreans, in turn, appeared delighted with and most grateful for this assistance. These were the first Korean's I'd ever met, and I did think about them when making my decision to come over here. I know they're only a tiny minority, but that was what I experienced.... |
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jajdude
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 2:36 am Post subject: |
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| Whatever opinions Koreans have about others, you can be sure just as many others have similar opinions about Koreans. |
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fudge
Joined: 01 Feb 2006
Location: London
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| Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 3:56 am Post subject: |
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| 4 months left wrote: |
| I know some people negatively look at poor nations in SEA but I don't think they usually hold a very strong opinion. I know they wouldn't say something stupid like this or that country's "inferior" or something. They can say it sucks but words like "inferior" make whole lot different impressions. |
I agree, people tend not to express how they feel in such a blatantly offensive manner...not unless they have had a few sojus in them.
A lot of people tend to look down at people, let alone nations, who are poor. But IMO, Japanese and Koreans do sit themselves on a high horse and think they are better than other SE Asian countries.
I am UK born but ethnically Thai and from my experience of China and Korea, Chinese people have been a lot more friendly and easier to get along with. I'm not saying Koreans are not friendly because i made a few good mates there. However theres lots of them in Beijing and the ones i met there are very nice and friendlier than those i met in Seoul. Maybe if you take the Korean out of Korea..... |
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xox
Joined: 11 Jun 2006
Location: Bundang
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| Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 3:59 am Post subject: Re: How are foreign asian/oriental people treated in Korea |
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| fudge wrote: |
How has your life in Korea been?
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So far I enjoy my time in Korea. I like learning new things, and seeing differences and similarities.
| fudge wrote: |
How has your employer treated you?
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I work in a public school, so the only people that really talk to me are the Korean English teachers. Everyone else can only say 'hello' good morning' how are you? and thank you' So I get left alone a lot. Which is fine. I think most other teachers are in the same situation as I am.
| fudge wrote: |
What good and bad experiences have you had dealing with Koreans?
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Well because I am Asian, automatically many people would talk to me in Korean and sometimes they would huff at me when I say I can't speak Korean (I'm learning!) But it's also nice too because I can stay anonymous among the people.
| fudge wrote: |
Because you are foreign, you are probably treated differently but have you been treated any different from your caucasian/black counterparts?
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I wouldn't know how they treat the others but for me, at the beginning it was hammering into the older co-teachers head that I was born in Canada meaning English was my first language. The younger ones pretty much understood, but the older one was harder to get the message across. And there are times you find that you have to defend your English speaking abilities. For awhile the older co-teacher was asking me if I spoke 'standard English' over and over again. I told her I grew up in Canada, if I didn't speak standard English, than I sure am dumb as a post.
| fudge wrote: |
What do you like and dislike about Korea?
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In Korea, I think many of us come for the experience of another culture. The money factor isn't bad either, considering we can live comfortably here on what we get paid. but if you don't want to be in a place that might be different from your own and not willing to adjust than don't come. you can't really say a lot of things about 'likes' and 'dislikes' in Korea. It's one of those things that you have a love/hate relationship with. |
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rocklee
Joined: 04 Oct 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 6:28 am Post subject: |
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| I tend to think that Koreans look down on anybody regardless of race or wealth. There is always something someone would complain about no matter how nice you are. Guess it comes down to inferiority complex. |
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tumbleweed_marijane
Joined: 01 Nov 2006
Location: anyang
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| Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 7:06 am Post subject: |
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well....I'M from India, a 'poorer' country. can't really say ive been mistreated...not at work because i work in a hakwon owned by a church so most everyone's really nice(at least to my face). also im from the north east so i dont look AT ALL like the average indian, more like a korean so no problems when im commuting or walking the streets, i blend in.
one thing i HAVE to say tho is...i dont know if it's with every korean, BUT 90% of the koreans ive met in my four months here know little to nothing about the world outside. one of the korean teachers who works at my friend's hakwon asked her if we had cosmetic shops in india!! and many of my students( the older ones cuz i dont even consider the under 10 levels) have'nt even heard of saddam hussein.
and another thing...prejudice...against everything non-korean
still...its not all bad. soju makes up for a lot |
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