Korean Job Discussion Forums

Rutherford · Joined: 31 Jul 2007

I just thought I'd make a quick post about some of the positive experiences I've had in my first three weeks here in Busan, since people complain about all the negativity on this board.

My first weekend I decided to check out the PNU area on my own, see what was going on. I got in a cab, but he didn't understand me saying "PNU" and I didn't know "Pusandae" yet, so he sorta got me to the general area, and I started wandering around, listening for sounds of nightlife. I got closer to the college, and just asked the first friendly looking student I could find. He ended up taking me on a little tour around PNU, then we went out to a bar and had a few beers and some food. He spoke decent english and we ended up talking for a couple hours about politics and 9/11 conspiracies.

A little while ago I was standing on a crowded subway train, when I felt a tug on my sleeve. I turned around, and an ajumma was motioning for me to come sit in the empty seat next to her. It was a little thing, but really made me feel welcome.

I was looking for a Brazilian jiujitsu school in Daeyeon, but my directions were confusing and I'd only been here a week. The train ride down from namsan-dong was an hour, so I was determined to find the place no matter how long it took. I wandered around for an hour, knowing I was in the general area but unable to find the school, until by chance I saw a little sign that said Brazilian Jiujitsu. I went through the door to another, which was locked. I tried to open it a few times, then just sort of stood there looking and feeling defeated. Out of nowhere this ajoshi takes my hand and leads me around the block to the entrance. I'd been standing at the back door.

Just yesterday I was trying to buy a subway ticket home from jiujitsu practice. I lost my check card last weekend, so actually I was spending the last few won I'd have until this afternoon and didn't have anything to eat in my apt. My bills were all soggy from walking through the rain and humidity, and the ticket machine wouldn't accept them. I hear a voice, and an ajoshi walks over and hands me an extra ticket, one of the free senior citizen ones.

I know I'll have some sad experiences in the future, and that many things that seem new and exciting now will become dull or annoying, but these little kindnesses have made quite an impression on me. It'd take a lot of crazy people shouting at me on the subway (as if that doesn't happen back home in DC) to overshadow how nice random strangers have been to me thus far.

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

Good to hear you are doing well!

IncognitoHFX · Joined: 06 May 2007 Location: Yeongtong, Suwon

kiwiliz · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Location: New Zealand

Thanks for posting this, its really nice and I enjoyed reading it.

Think I will bump it up. Very Happy

as-ian · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Location: Busan, South Korea

Yeah it is nice to read the positive posts.

I shall bump this too. ^^

Chloe11 · Joined: 23 Jul 2007

I'm leaving for Busan in just over a week, if all goes well with the VISA. I've sort of been freaking out and am getting really emotional about leaving. Given where I'm at right now it's really comforting to read this. Here's to more positive experiences for you *clinks imaginary cups* Razz

Freakstar · Joined: 29 Jun 2007

Thanks for sharing. I've had mostly positive experiences here in Seoul too. Hope things keep getting better for you.

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

Well, wait a minute there, Rutherford! Lemme fix this here post of yers! I put the changes in bold.

I believe, if you think about it, this story is far more accurate and realistic:

SPINOZA · Joined: 10 Jun 2005 Location: $eoul

Alyallen · Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 5:49 am Post subject:

I had some positive experiences today. I returned to my gym after 3+ months of nursing an annoying foot injury and just being lazy. My membership expired but they logged me in for the evening and didn't ask for me to pay for the next 3 months. Then this ajosshi (who thinks I'm Wonder Woman for running a marathon) sees me, gives me a hardy handshake and says welcome back, long time no see. A few of the trainers came by and said hello and welcome back as well. All this was a bit strange and pleasantly surprising, since I figured my absence wouldn't have been noticeable.

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

Paji eh Wong · Joined: 03 Jun 2003

My Uni moved sports day to the end of Chuseok, so now I get the whole of next week off. Assa.

chris_J2 · Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Location: From Brisbane, Au.

Every now & then, I am the happy recipient of a random act of kindness by a Korean. On Saturday, I was wondering around Myeongdong, looking for a money changer, as the banks were shut. I asked a woman passing by where I could find a money changer, & she gave me 10,000 won & refused to take any Australian $ in exchange.

Today, I was looking for my recruiter's Office, & a young Korean woman & total stranger, went out of her way to show me exactly where it was. (Mind you, this was after a dozen or so wrong or misleading directions / blank stares, so all the more appreciated).

Last year in Suwon, Uni students helped me find a place to get a prescription, then took me to the pharmacy, to get some urgently needed medication. They arranged taxis, busses, receipts & all, for me. Totally unexpected. And very much appreciated.

Alyallen · Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 6:20 am Post subject:

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

Hint to the very nice Ally (who shares the name of the woman I lost my V to in 1987): Ask a student what a Barboree-man is. Then ask that student what they call a woman who does the same...