Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kimchi Cha Cha]

One thing I've been thinking about lately is whether xenophobia is actually on the rise in Korea, at a same level it has been for the past decade, improving, or is in a series of peaks and troughs?

These days it does seem that there is still a high level of xenophobia encompassing all levels of Korean society. Generally, new arrivals or tourists to Korea don't experience many overt forms of racism or xenophobia, but experiences do seem to stack up the longer you live and work here.

I was wondering whether xenophobia is actually on the rise, or whether it's just not decreasing at a rate fast enough for non-Koreans to feel fully comfortable in this society. Another factor that I do believe exists is that levels of xenophobia have a tendency to peak and trough as the Korean public can be very reactive and malleable to media and/or Government option, case in point the 2002 tank deaths of the two schoolgirls and its ugly aftermath.

Personally, I think overall xenophobia is gradually decreasing in this society though it does have its peaks and troughs. However, xenophobia affects me more these days as I have been here longer and can acknowledge fully when it occurs and can understand a lot more of the comments made about me/to me that would have gone over my shoulder when I first arrived in Korea. Therefore, whilst I believe xenophobia is on the decrease it affects me more nowdays.

I think Korea is gradually getting better in this regard but it does take time and is something that just won't disappear over night. I do believe that many foreigners here lose patience sometimes, myself included, as things just aren't changing fast enough and it can be really frustrating. I like this country but if there's one thing they need to change this is it.

I think the under 20 generation will grow up to be more internationally minded and comfortable with different people and different cultures as they are growing up having non-Koreans being a part of their everyday life, teaching them English, etc. To them we are increasingly becoming an everyday part of their life and there are for the most part becoming more and more comfortable with us.

Many males in the 20-40 generation do seem to have a mistrust/insecurity when dealing with foreigners particularly foreign males. Granted, I'm not saying all, I'm not saying most (though I do believe that to be the case), I'm just saying many. They still seem to see foreign males as competition and enemies not worthy of the same trust and/or respect as a Korean males. Within this age group however there are many fine Korean men who respect us and are truly kind and friendly. The females in this age group appear markedly more comfortable with foreigners and not nearly as overtly xenophobic, though many women in this age group also are xenophobic.

The over 40 crowd are a real mixed bag. Some people don't mind us or don't pay that much attention to us. Some dislike foreigners and are forward in letting you know. While others, especially the over 60 crowd, are really friendly, kind, generous, 'salt of the Earth' people who appreciate that you have come here and are happy to see you (unfortunately language can be a barrier sometimes with these folks as it would be interesting to have a more thorough conversation).

So, all in all, I do think whilst xenophobia is gradually on the decline here, it does have its peaks and troughs, and can be frustrating for someone like me as it just seems to be taking so long to improve. Another disappointment I find is how most males around my age really seem to judge you by your 'foreign-ness' before getting to know you, but I do think this will improve with future generations.

I'm interested in your thoughts?

[Dev]

I think the world around Korea is not really interested in Korea beyond getting a cheaper TV, car or cell phone.

Korea is still not a magnet for foreign business people like Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai, Taipei, and even Tokyo are.

Korean people will have no incentive to become more internationally minded until the foreign business people show up.

So long as Korean products leave the country and foreign money comes in, they'll be happy with just their own culture. Xenophobia will remain the norm. Don't expect a few western English teachers in every neighborhood will change the overall impressions of foreigners in the eyes of Koreans.

There's a mutual disinterest going on between Korea and the rest of the world.

[eamo]

It seems to me a small amount of Koreans blame foreigners for all their problems. A kind of a blame-culture. They are true xenophobics.

Others are periodically influenced by current events or bad TV journalism. But they aren't usually xenophobic. Just going with a 'wave'. Koreans like to go with 'waves'.

[Tiberious aka Sparkles]

Peaks and troughs!

[jaganath69]

I think it's actually decreasing, but with the number of foreigners increasing here, we are bound to notice nasty incidents a lot more. However, as Koreans are exposed to outsiders and travel and experience new cultures they are becoming a lot more open-minded in my opinion.

[Ginormousaurus]

I'd guess that it is slowly on the decline. Thousands of children are exposed to foreigners on a daily basis. This is something that previous generations never had.

[Alyallen]

In my opinon it's worse but then again being pigment enhanced has never (or rather rarely) been a positive in this country....

[Oreovictim]

At first, I thought that xenophobia was a term used just by bitter foreign men who couldn't get dates. ("She wasn't into me. She MUST be xenophobic.") But that's just not the case.

I've met a lot of really cool Koreans of all ages. But I've met some really weird ones. There have been many times where there was one empty seat on the bus or subway, and people refused to sit next to me. (I don't smell, and I dress rather nice, actually, so I don't see the big deal.) I've also had people see me alone in an elevator and refused to get in. And I had a lady at Homeplus look at me and then reach for her purse.

At first, I rather liked standing out, but it got old, fast.

[jaganath69]

[Dev]

[Alyallen]

[Ginormousaurus]

Not a quick cure, no. But I think it's a step in the right direction. I've left a positive impression on a lot of kids over the past few years and hopefully it doesn't get completely erased by backwards thinking parents.

[nautilus]

[sojourner1]

It depends on what you look like. If you are in good physical shape and even somewhat look good enough to be an actor, then you will command a great deal of respect. If you are fat, people will hate on you, but not in dangerously hostile manner though, just negative and offensive.

That belly, even 30 pounds too much is a real kicker as physical image is a very big deal. It is in the states as well, but Americans tend to overlook that more so as everyone knows we all can't be movie stars and hunky dory models.

A couple of Korean women have told me this is the real deal and I believe it.

I could not vote in the poll since I really don't know the answer, but might if I had been here for the last few years.

[Fishead soup]