Korean Job Discussion Forums

[charlieDD]

A few months ago I posted a similar thread about how I get to sit alone on buses and on subways 95% of the time. On the bus, only when every other seat is taken will the one next to me finally be taken. You can see that post at http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=62865&highlight=

Well, I see it applies in the air as well. The same thing happened on an Asiana Air roundtrip flight I took to Hong Kong recently. On the way there, the plane was full, at least in the exit to exit door section I was in; not an empty seat - - - except the one next to me and the two next to the only other white foreigner, who was directly across aisle from me. I requested an aisle seat, middle section; guess he requested an aisle seat; then they just blocked us together, - - to isolate the infection?

Flying back, again, the only empty seat in the section I was in was next to me. (Interestingly, I reserved my return seat when I was in Hong Kong and changed my return date. A Hong Kong clerk set it up. But, when I got to the airport, I was told my seat was reassigned to the one I got. Guess some overlord in Korea did his / her duty.)

I'm like "Hey, if they don't want to sit next to me . . no problem!

Okay, okay, . . it could be for all kinds of other reasons and I'm sure someone is going to say they were doing me a favor out of courtesy to visitors, etc. and whatever. If I hadn't the experience of this happening all the time in Seoul on buses and subway trains, I might think that's a possible explanation, but . . .

Oh, and . . . So, I get settled into my return flight seat, with the only empty seat next to me. Just before takeoff a stewardess comes up and asks if I wouldn't mind moving because somehow a newlywed couple on their honeymoon has been assigned separate seats and the seat next to me is the only empty one and if I move to one of their seats, they can take mine and the empty one next to it and sit together.

Well, I happened to like my seating arrangement! I gave it a thought for a second or two and the thought that came up was "Would they do it for me?" And the answer was a big "Not likely" - and besides, it's only a five-hour flight; surely they can bear to be apart that long; surely they took care of their honeymoon duties before the flight. So, I told her I really didn't want to move. Got no-smiles service the whole flight ! They worked it out somehow; heard an announcement in Korean thanking the people who had to shift around to make it work.

I know: selfish westerner; bad (or typical) representative of my culture, etc. etc. etc. Know I'm going to hear it here. In a earlier day, I probably would have felt guilty in these ways, but having experienced the treatment foreigners get here in Korea, . . . .

[Swiss James]

you are either a troll, or someone I wouldn't want to sit next to either.

[charlieDD]

[Wrench]

I love playing that game on subways.. Its like sticking a Square peg in a round hole..

Its the " Lets make some random Korean feel uncomfortable game" We use to make bets how long they would sit beside us.

[markhan]

Koreans who know that I have lived in America for many years come to me and ask me whether there is prejduice against Asian in the State.

The answer I give is different depending on who asked me.
I mean if she strikingly resembles some hot Korean actress or model, I am pretty sure that she will be popular in the State too. On the other hand, if she is, for lack of better word, fugly, Hell Yeah, there is an Ultra, Super predijuce against Asian.

[Swiss James]

[charlieDD]

[Swiss James]

what hand? I've got nothing against Americans, I'm just saying you didn't exactly act like a good ambassador on that flight did you?

"How was your honeymoon Yoon-soo?"
"Oh it was amazing, so romantic and exciting. The only bad thing was that on the plane home this waegook saram wouldn't let us sit together."

[markhan]

[charlieDD]

[quote="markhan
Just dont go around accusing someone of "xenophobic" That word should be reserved for who carries a bat and actively seeks out blood.[/quote]

Wow, . . a dictionary, please.

xenophobia

racism

hate crime

discrimination

bigotry

Did I choose the right word in "xenophobia" ?

[TJ]

Doesn't matter which country I'm travelling in or if it's a bus, train or aircraft. I never waste money on a first class seat and economy class seats are built for midgets. So it's great to have an empty seat next to me. Or even better one on each side of me. Then I can really spread out and be comfortable.

I'm happy if no one wants to sit next to me.

In case you're wondering I'm average build .......... but I do value my personal space.

[Smee]

Wow, this is the lamest thread ever. And somebody order up some punctuation, please.

[charlieDD]

[I-am-me]

I have to applaud charlies actions. I would have done the same after all that crap koreans pull on us here. Yes....they dont sit next to us on the bus or train unless there is no choice. That even happens at the movie theatre. Just last week my wife and I sat next to a couple and they immediately looked around to see if they could move to some empty seats. Whats bas tards! If they had moved I would have taken their seats and not given them back if they returned. What is these peoples problem? Another time we sat in a full movie theatre with both seats on each side empty! Now we play the "make the korean uncomfortable" game also. Its a riot sometimes.

[jajdude]

Why label it as xenophobia? Sometimes that may be the case, sometimes not. Let's call it the comfort zone. That's what it is usually.

Let's say you spend your entire life with your own people and language, and the rare time you might have to spend a little with someone outside of it, you feel awkward. Gee, have not we all felt that as travellers to countries where English was scarce.

Even Koreans with not bad English get intimidated by the thought of being with foreigners.

I know you think why can't they spend even a bit of time in the discomfort zone, but they aren't the ones who left homeville like you did. They also aren't the ones who perhaps grew up in a multicultural place with various peoples.

Their language and culture affords no comfort around anybody not Korean.

They are Korean, and to them Korea is the world, in a sense. Is that so strange? Not really. It is true for many people in many countries.

The world is small like that, for Koreans and many others.
(Hell, it's true for English speakers too. Many go and expect English wherever. When they find a lack of it, holy crap, guess what, it isn't truly global. )