Korean Job Discussion Forums

[periwinkle]

This isn't my first thread about shopping, but hopefully it will be my last. I guess I just don't really get it, so I'm hoping someone can explain it to me. Here's the thing: I went shopping with my friend on Sat. at the Hyundai Dept. store in Mokdong. She was taking her time trying on clothes, so I went into several stores just to browse. I would say that about 90% of the stores made a big deal about me being in their store- laughing nervously, making a joke about it to their co-worker, then one of them would decide who would follow me around, obviously not happy about it. I just ignored them.

Do you think mostly this reponse is due to the fact that the clerk assumes I cannot speak Korean, and is worried they will have to use English? I don't know how else to explain it. I mean, the clerks don't act the same when a Korean enters the store. Also, I seem to be followed around a bit more than a Korean. I think they think I'm going to steal something (even though I don't look like a vagrant). Why is this? I've tried to tell them "eye shopping", but this doesn't always work. Ignoring them doesn't work, because they breathe down your neck (which makes me extremely uncomfortable).

Also, for those who have lived in Japan, China, etc., does this happen in any other country? I've been to a couple places in Japan, and the clerks didn't make a big deal of a foreigner entering their store. Also, I didn't have clerks following me around. Are there other countries that have this kind of shopping culture (sorry for the Konglish )? I wonder why Korea has so many clerks (I was in The Body Shop, and there were at least 4 employees on the floor, and IMO, it's too small of a shop to have that many employees crowding the store...).

I wish I could get used to it, but I always feel so unwelcome entering a store, you know? It's like they want me out as quickly as possible so they can go back to their comfort zone, which makes me, in turn, not want to spend my money there. Not good for business, eh? Oh, well- thank God for online shopping!!

Anyway, this attitude seems very unique to Korea, and I wonder why. Also, I was shopping in Seoul, so I'm sure other foreigners have been in those stores before (I was looking around in Giordano, Whoau, etc.). Do you think they go through the same routine everytime a foreigner enters the store?

[migooknom]

[periwinkle]

[jennateacher]

I agree it makes me not want to spend my money. I get very uncomfortable entering a shop where there are lots of clerks hanging out chatting with each other. I feel like I am intruding.

[Bibbitybop]

Did you try coughing on them and telling them you have AIDS?

[Natalia]

People complain about it here, but I don't even notice it. In India it's truly horrible. I literally went insane attempting to shop there. Then I decided to make a game out of seeing how many times I could 'accidentally' stand on their feet while they were breathing down my neck.

I don't know about here, but in India it happens (getting followed everywhere) because the locals expect to have a servant there holding everything for them while they browse.

The thing I hate about shopping in Korea is that there are always ten times as many staff members as they need - especially in supermarkets. They just get in the way.

[ilovebdt]

I don't very often go clothes shopping, but when I do I always go to Unionbay. There is a v small Unionbay in my town and when I last went in there the woman was practically up my arse.

I agree with Jennateacher. If a shop assistant follows me around so closely I fell like I am being hurried. Also, I am less inclined to buy anything and will leave the shop without having had a good look round.

ilovebdt

[Qinella]

Ah yes, the recurring shopping thread. Most of us really hate the shopping culture (not Konglishee, 'winkle) I think. For me it is the number one deterrent. I've actually not gone into stores where I would've otherwise bought something because I just didn't feel like dealing with the clerks hounding me. Even when I tell them I'm just looking, they stay right there behind me so that if I make a sudden move I'll smack into them. Anything I pick up to look at, they immediately start asking me my size and trying to find it. Godamn annoying is what it is.

I left a store once and told the clerk it was because of how annoying she was. She just stood there looking confused. Gar. Garrrr!!!

[ajgeddes]

You should do what I did. While at Bean Pole, this girl was right up my GF and my asses. We just started walkind around an island of clothes over and over and over again laughing while the girl followed us around it over 10 times until we just walked out.

[Dev]

They may have so many salespeople because Korean stores always seem to be full or empty. I don't like crowds, but many Koreans seem to like crowds always shopping at peak times but avoiding the stores at off-peak times. I don't get it.

More annoying than this problem is the high pressure sales pitch when Koreans start giving you discounts and pleading with you to buy something today when you're really just window shopping. And they tell you utter B.S. like you can only get this cheap price today (and most of them realize the customer knows this is B.S.)

It appears that it's NOT okay just to look in this country, so I choose to avoid shopping unless I REALLY need something.

[Darkness]

Ya I hate going into stores in Korea. I find I just get starred at, and it's annoying.

Wish there was more online stores in english, only one I've found is gmarket.go.kr

But that site is so poorly laid out, its hard to find shit. But they do have some cheap stuff, pair of ambercrombie cargo pants for $25.....

[kimchi story]

I keep my iPOd on and they usually ignore me. Taking the earplugs out is a sign that I'm ready to talk. It's about 80% effective. And it's humorous watching their lips move without sound, the ones who do try and approach me when the headphones are in.

[Corporal]

[Qinella]

[crazy_arcade]

gmarket...