Korean Job Discussion Forums

[lastat06513]

I had seen a few threads where several members on this board involved themselves in the disputes between locals, usually when a local guy hits a local girl.
Usually, the Korean guy, trying to save his "honor", would try to hit the foreigner, but in some cases (not all) end up getting beaten up by the foreigner. Yet, the foreigner ends up intertwined in legal formalities because the Korean legal system often shows preference to the Korean, seeing them as victims of an assault by the foreigner.

My point is; Do you think it is worth the headache of getting involved in a dispute between the locals?
There seems to be little or no recourse because of the nationalistic leaning of the judges and the legal codes, which makes all foriegners second-class citizens anyway......

[swetepete]

IMHO: It's case by case, for me. I try to weigh the penalties of inaction vs. action: will I feel worse later for not doing something, or feel worse if I do do something? Also, will the something that I do actually help anybody?
If it's egregious and hideous or waking me up, though, I'll get into it every time, and *$^# the consequences. Same as in any country.
Or, at least, I'll put on some loud headphones, and tell myself it was all a bad dream.

[Seoul_Star]

The answer should be; absolutely not. No matter what a random korean person is doing to another random korean person, you should not try to intervene in any way. This includes woman beating/child beating/dog beating and other things that are culturally ingrained in their DNA. It's common, they do it. Nothing we can do will stop it. No sense in trying to change cultural problems, at your own financial risk.

For example, what do you think would happen if a Korean woman called the police because her husband was beating on her? Anyone? Anyone think they would show up, take pity on her, and arrest her evil husband? Based on what I have seen, they would just shrug it off, and ask the husband if he could be more quiet while he beats his wife, in consideration of the neighbors of course.

You getting involved will not "teach them a lesson", and it will not solve the problem. If she's being beaten in public, it's not the first time she's been hit. No one is forcing her to be in a relationship. If she doesn't leave her husband/boyfriend, we can only assume that she enjoys being beaten, and that you interfering with it is going to anger both of them.

Everyone has their own opinion. Mine is: Don't interfere if there is a problem between two random koreans. If however, one of the koreans happens to be my friend, I will probably intervene. If another foreigner is being attacked by a korean or group of koreans, I will probably do something about it, because I think foreigners should at least try to look out for each other. Let's put it this way, if you, a foreigner were involved in an altercation with either a korean or another foreigner, do you think that ANY koreans would stop and help you? Just my opinion.

[bellum99]

Just leave them alone...don't get involved.

[VanIslander]

Those of us who can't just stand by and watch a man hit a woman don't calculate the worth of interference based on utility: It is the right thing to do, regardless of the consequences, we think.

That said, one has to decide for oneself where one draws the line between cultural relativism and living one's own values.

I need to at least yell and interrupt the assault and express my indignation, however culturally-conditioned I may be, imposing my values upon them. If they don't lose face, they should.

Whatever helps you sleep better at night.

There is NO universal right answer to the question asked in this thread. But in terms of advice: Go with your gut. If you feel compelled to do something, do something.

[ChuckECheese]

Situation dictates.

If my instinct says to help the poor soul, I would hit and run. I wouldn't stick around long enough to get other locals or police to get involved.

After hitting hard, I wouldn't even care if the attacker is living or dead. I'd be out of there.

[RJjr]

No way, not in a million years would I ever get involved.

Although, I think if a dozen or so people here carried videocameras around with them, after a year's time, there would probably be enough footage to produce a movie, maybe even a whole series of movies featuring violent beat down after beat down with a bunch of people and police just standing around watching. Maybe it could be called Husbands Gone Wild.

I really think there's some money potential.

[sojourner1]

Seoul_Star said it how it really is. No need in trying to change problems at your financial risk. Yea, that means, get in trouble; lose all your money you got in the bank, lose your job, lose your severance pay, and RT airfare. Well trying to be a hero to save someone from getting beat up is just not worth the risk. Personal safety is to be considered too.

If a situation does not apply to you, leave it alone. If it does apply to you, then by all means, kick and punch the Sh*t out of the A-hole in a hurry and run.

[mehamrick]

IMHO I think it also depends on where you live. I personally live where there are no other foreigners in my area on a frequent level. I watched a guy literally dragging a woman down the street by her hair the other night, and the blood curdling screams she was giving off was too much. I politely leaned out my fourth floor window and gave a big YAH... I think it shocked them one that it was loud and above her screams and two the sound of a foreign voice caught their attention as they have now disturbed whitey... they eventually went their seperate ways.. Her home to recover, him to drink more soju I would assume.

But to the OP your call. Everyone is right in their own way. Me it depends on the local Korean intervention or the lack of it.

[mindmetoo]

If I didn't read Dave's, I would say, of course. Help people. But reading Dave's one certainly gets the perception "no good deed goes unpunished". If it is a Korean guy's word against yours and a woman, odds are cops are going to take the guy's word for it. It's really a judgment call, I think.

[valkerie]

Have been following this thread (from a Japan forum).

http://www.gaijinpot.com/bb/showthread.php?t=35981&highlight=advantage+train+terror

A hot topic.

[Kyrei]

Unless I am directly threatened, such as what Thursday night on the subway home, generally no. The drunk ajossi in question was trying to get past me to bitch-slap some other ajossi for a supposed fault. I hadn't even been paying attention until he started swinging and swearing. In that case, heloing hold the guy down, twisting an arm to stop him smacking me etc. then quietly leaving the subway at my stop.

[Milwaukiedave]

I've never encountered a situation where I would have to make a choice, but if I did it would be difficult. I agree that at the very least you could yell and at least disrupt what was going on, but I'd be very weary of getting involved. As a foreigner in Korea you will be guilty automatically if you hit a Korean. There may be instances where the police will take your side, but they are going to be rare.

Something that no one has pointed out is that many contracts have a clause (whether it's legal or not I don't have any idea) saying that if your behavior reflects negatively on the hagwon you can be fired.

[RACETRAITOR]

Let's pretend you're back home. Your girlfriend comes up to you. "I have something to tell you. I've been sleeping with your best friend. Oh yeah, and you have hepatitis. By the way, I want you to pack your things and get out of our apartment so your best friend can move in with me. He satisfies me like you never could."

You'd definitely get mad. You'd most likely raise your voice. You might even push her away.

Now some Korean guy who doesn't speak a word of English steps in. He grabs your shoulders, pushes you away from her, and yells "Hajima!" How would you respond?

I'm not saying that every dispute you see in public is like this. But are you willing to take that chance?

I only would get involved if lives are at risk.

[n3ptne]

I straight knocked out a Korean guy who was getting lippy in my favorite 24hr gimbab joint.

He was sleeping at the table. Waitress tried to wake him up, he screamed at her and she walked away. Five minutes later, same thing, except he pushed her.

All I did was slam my fist down on the table and look at him.

*beep* got up, couldn't walk straight, and started towards me with his finger outstretched, swearing up a storm.

I stood up, watched him walk towards me, and the second he entered into my personal little circle of heaven, I cold cocked the son of the bitch and put him on the ground. Then I pointed at the door and told him to get out.

He left. I sat down and finished my meal, which was free.

Cops never came, and I still get free shit at the restaurant.