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NeverGG
United Kingdom5399 Posts
Here in Seoul things can be pretty lame. I've had people with the nerve to do shushing gestures when I'm talking in English on the phone or to a friend on the subway. I'm pretty loud, but they'd never dare do it to a Korean (and god some Koreans on mobile phones are loud as hell.) and I do try to be vaguely considerate of other people and talk in a lower tone. I also had an older man come up to me once and ask me to speak in Korean when I'm in Korea - I replied in Korean and gave him a filthy look - it's so rude considering no one would tell him to speak English if he went to visit England. (Well I wouldn't anyway.)
Also taxi drivers can be really rude. Luckily recently I've had some lovely ones. Like the one I got after the Epik High gig who was laughing with me about being so tired I forgot where I was going. However, I've had drivers refuse to even acknowledge me when I ask them to go somewhere in Korean (eventhough other drivers have had no problem understanding the exact same words.) I don't shy away from the bullshit and I've learnt some pretty effective swear words through it.
It is balanced out at times by how lovely other people can be though - the OGN crew, some of the gamers and coaches, my English speaking Korean friends (and weirdly enough the staff of the Coldstone Creamery in Star City. They make such an effort to speak english/tolerate my awkward Korean and are really attentive and cheerful. Hence I will go back and buy more stuff - unlike Baskin Robbins where the staff have stood there using their mobile phones instead of taking orders and done the whole 'talk about the foreigner in Korean and lol whilst serving bullshit.')
Sometimes I really do feel like it's a case of 'us versus them.' here. There are a lot of nice things about Seoul, but as a foreigner some people do tend to treat you as a menace/annoyance or sideshow freak. Especially because I don't fit their stereotype of the blonde/blue-eye, skinny Hollywood American 'foreigner.' Sorry Korea - people aren't all the same from foreign countries!
(I don't mind little kids pointing and saying 'Foreigner!' because that's normal behaviour for their age, but when grown adults do it or people shout abuse/sarcastic remarks across the street to me just for walking past then it really paints and purile and close-minded picture of the people residing here.)
I honestly never realised how angry I could get until I came to live here. I'm tolerant of cultural differences to a degree, but when I make the effort not to do anything disruptive (I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't commit crimes and I certainly don't sit down in the seats reserved for elderly/preggers/disabled people on the subway.) and I work hard Monday to Friday to educate Korean kids (as well as working my ass off at the weekends to promote Korean Esports.) being met with indifference or downright rude behaviour simply for speaking English or looking different is so frustrating and disgusting to me. I'd never treat a foreigner who came to England the way some Koreans treat us English teachers.
We're stereotyped not only in our looks, but also there are articles in major newspapers online sites constantly implying in the most literal and transparent way that just because a small number of individual teachers here have been caught taking drugs or commiting other crimes - we are all lazy, money-grubbing criminals who love to hang out in (the grubby and horrible) Itaewon district looking for whores or doing other negative things. They never stop to consider that some of us came here because of a genuine interest in Korean culture (for myself I was into Korean music and cinema for four years before coming here.)
(Haha god, this turned out long and ranty. I think I just needed to get some recent resentment off of my chest.)
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konadora
Singapore66364 Posts
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konadora
Singapore66364 Posts
Wow NeverGG, I didn't see that coming.
Even up til a few years back when I last visited Korea, that was a very, VERY rare sight. I've seen many foreigners going around and they hardly get the treatment that you received.
Guess the society has changed so much...
But I understand the thing on the subway about talking on the phone. In Korea and Japan, it is considered 'rude' to actually talk on your phone in the subway, being distracting and all. That's why you don't see people smashing buttons on their PSP or scribbling nonsense on their DS. But the way they treated you was just... D:
I guess that's why my mom told me not to reveal to people I meet that I am actually living overseas.
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NeverGG
United Kingdom5399 Posts
On May 09 2009 12:58 konadora wrote:
Wow NeverGG, I didn't see that coming.
Even up til a few years back when I last visited Korea, that was a very, VERY rare sight. I've seen many foreigners going around and they hardly get the treatment that you received.
Guess the society has changed so much...
But I understand the thing on the subway about talking on the phone. In Korea and Japan, it is considered 'rude' to actually talk on your phone in the subway, being distracting and all. That's why you don't see people smashing buttons on their PSP or scribbling nonsense on their DS. But the way they treated you was just... D:
I guess that's why my mom told me not to reveal to people I meet that I am actually living overseas.
Actually I see more Koreans on their PSPs/DSs and phones than those reading or sitting there sleeping/resting. It is a completely common sight which is what makes their behaviour towards me and other foreigners so hypocritical.
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konadora
Singapore66364 Posts
On May 09 2009 13:35 NeverGG wrote:Show nested quote +On May 09 2009 12:58 konadora wrote:
Wow NeverGG, I didn't see that coming.
Even up til a few years back when I last visited Korea, that was a very, VERY rare sight. I've seen many foreigners going around and they hardly get the treatment that you received.
Guess the society has changed so much...
But I understand the thing on the subway about talking on the phone. In Korea and Japan, it is considered 'rude' to actually talk on your phone in the subway, being distracting and all. That's why you don't see people smashing buttons on their PSP or scribbling nonsense on their DS. But the way they treated you was just... D:
I guess that's why my mom told me not to reveal to people I meet that I am actually living overseas. Actually I see more Koreans on their PSPs/DSs and phones than those reading or sitting there sleeping/resting. It is a completely common sight which is what makes their behaviour towards me and other foreigners so hypocritical.
Guess society has really changed a lot in the 3 years I did not go back to Korea...
In Japan you'd probably die though, hardly anyone plays their consoles on subways despite all owning them. Even if they're listening on the mp3 players, they'll keep it down so that the people beside won't be affected.
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NeverGG
United Kingdom5399 Posts
On May 09 2009 14:39 konadora wrote:Show nested quote +On May 09 2009 13:35 NeverGG wrote:On May 09 2009 12:58 konadora wrote:
Wow NeverGG, I didn't see that coming.
Even up til a few years back when I last visited Korea, that was a very, VERY rare sight. I've seen many foreigners going around and they hardly get the treatment that you received.
Guess the society has changed so much...
But I understand the thing on the subway about talking on the phone. In Korea and Japan, it is considered 'rude' to actually talk on your phone in the subway, being distracting and all. That's why you don't see people smashing buttons on their PSP or scribbling nonsense on their DS. But the way they treated you was just... D:
I guess that's why my mom told me not to reveal to people I meet that I am actually living overseas. Actually I see more Koreans on their PSPs/DSs and phones than those reading or sitting there sleeping/resting. It is a completely common sight which is what makes their behaviour towards me and other foreigners so hypocritical. Guess society has really changed a lot in the 3 years I did not go back to Korea... In Japan you'd probably die though, hardly anyone plays their consoles on subways despite all owning them. Even if they're listening on the mp3 players, they'll keep it down so that the people beside won't be affected.
Yeah I noticed the signs were really specific (and super polite.) about not listening to music which would be audible to others. I didn't see a single person talking on the phone or using a console. (When I was on the Fukuoka subway system.) I liked Japan, but it feels so expensive compared to Korea. I'd definitely be broke constantly because I love to shop!
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konadora
Singapore66364 Posts
On May 09 2009 15:46 NeverGG wrote:Show nested quote +On May 09 2009 14:39 konadora wrote:On May 09 2009 13:35 NeverGG wrote:On May 09 2009 12:58 konadora wrote:
Wow NeverGG, I didn't see that coming.
Even up til a few years back when I last visited Korea, that was a very, VERY rare sight. I've seen many foreigners going around and they hardly get the treatment that you received.
Guess the society has changed so much...
But I understand the thing on the subway about talking on the phone. In Korea and Japan, it is considered 'rude' to actually talk on your phone in the subway, being distracting and all. That's why you don't see people smashing buttons on their PSP or scribbling nonsense on their DS. But the way they treated you was just... D:
I guess that's why my mom told me not to reveal to people I meet that I am actually living overseas. Actually I see more Koreans on their PSPs/DSs and phones than those reading or sitting there sleeping/resting. It is a completely common sight which is what makes their behaviour towards me and other foreigners so hypocritical. Guess society has really changed a lot in the 3 years I did not go back to Korea... In Japan you'd probably die though, hardly anyone plays their consoles on subways despite all owning them. Even if they're listening on the mp3 players, they'll keep it down so that the people beside won't be affected. Yeah I noticed the signs were really specific (and super polite.) about not listening to music which would be audible to others. I didn't see a single person talking on the phone or using a console. (When I was on the Fukuoka subway system.) I liked Japan, but it feels so expensive compared to Korea. I'd definitely be broke constantly because I love to shop!
I spent SGD700 for a day's worth of shopping, and SGD150 on first two days in convenience stores. Singapore Dollar and Japanese Yen exchange rate is sooo rigged.
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NeverGG
United Kingdom5399 Posts
On May 09 2009 16:17 konadora wrote:Show nested quote +On May 09 2009 15:46 NeverGG wrote:On May 09 2009 14:39 konadora wrote:On May 09 2009 13:35 NeverGG wrote:On May 09 2009 12:58 konadora wrote:
Wow NeverGG, I didn't see that coming.
Even up til a few years back when I last visited Korea, that was a very, VERY rare sight. I've seen many foreigners going around and they hardly get the treatment that you received.
Guess the society has changed so much...
But I understand the thing on the subway about talking on the phone. In Korea and Japan, it is considered 'rude' to actually talk on your phone in the subway, being distracting and all. That's why you don't see people smashing buttons on their PSP or scribbling nonsense on their DS. But the way they treated you was just... D:
I guess that's why my mom told me not to reveal to people I meet that I am actually living overseas. Actually I see more Koreans on their PSPs/DSs and phones than those reading or sitting there sleeping/resting. It is a completely common sight which is what makes their behaviour towards me and other foreigners so hypocritical. Guess society has really changed a lot in the 3 years I did not go back to Korea... In Japan you'd probably die though, hardly anyone plays their consoles on subways despite all owning them. Even if they're listening on the mp3 players, they'll keep it down so that the people beside won't be affected. Yeah I noticed the signs were really specific (and super polite.) about not listening to music which would be audible to others. I didn't see a single person talking on the phone or using a console. (When I was on the Fukuoka subway system.) I liked Japan, but it feels so expensive compared to Korea. I'd definitely be broke constantly because I love to shop! I spent SGD700 for a day's worth of shopping, and SGD150 on first two days in convenience stores. Singapore Dollar and Japanese Yen exchange rate is sooo rigged.
I spent $700 in two days in one shop. I'm utterly hopeless when it comes to buying things!
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What about Eastern Germany? I heard there is still a lot of white nationalism in those parts. An older brother of a friend visited Germany after he graduated and when in parts of Eastern Germany, he said they'd get thrown out of bars for not being white enough? Just a lie or is this true?
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konadora
Singapore66364 Posts
On May 09 2009 16:40 rushz0rz wrote:
What about Eastern Germany? I heard there is still a lot of white nationalism in those parts. An older brother of a friend visited Germany after he graduated and when in parts of Eastern Germany, he said they'd get thrown out of bars for not being white enough? Just a lie or is this true?
Wtf?
On May 09 2009 16:27 NeverGG wrote:Show nested quote +On May 09 2009 16:17 konadora wrote:On May 09 2009 15:46 NeverGG wrote:On May 09 2009 14:39 konadora wrote:On May 09 2009 13:35 NeverGG wrote:On May 09 2009 12:58 konadora wrote:
Wow NeverGG, I didn't see that coming.
Even up til a few years back when I last visited Korea, that was a very, VERY rare sight. I've seen many foreigners going around and they hardly get the treatment that you received.
Guess the society has changed so much...
But I understand the thing on the subway about talking on the phone. In Korea and Japan, it is considered 'rude' to actually talk on your phone in the subway, being distracting and all. That's why you don't see people smashing buttons on their PSP or scribbling nonsense on their DS. But the way they treated you was just... D:
I guess that's why my mom told me not to reveal to people I meet that I am actually living overseas. Actually I see more Koreans on their PSPs/DSs and phones than those reading or sitting there sleeping/resting. It is a completely common sight which is what makes their behaviour towards me and other foreigners so hypocritical. Guess society has really changed a lot in the 3 years I did not go back to Korea... In Japan you'd probably die though, hardly anyone plays their consoles on subways despite all owning them. Even if they're listening on the mp3 players, they'll keep it down so that the people beside won't be affected. Yeah I noticed the signs were really specific (and super polite.) about not listening to music which would be audible to others. I didn't see a single person talking on the phone or using a console. (When I was on the Fukuoka subway system.) I liked Japan, but it feels so expensive compared to Korea. I'd definitely be broke constantly because I love to shop! I spent SGD700 for a day's worth of shopping, and SGD150 on first two days in convenience stores. Singapore Dollar and Japanese Yen exchange rate is sooo rigged. I spent $700 in two days in one shop. I'm utterly hopeless when it comes to buying things!
USD700? Wow that's a lot... what on earth did you buy lol
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51674 Posts
australia's public transport is so third world.
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NeverGG
United Kingdom5399 Posts
On May 09 2009 16:49 konadora wrote:Show nested quote +On May 09 2009 16:40 rushz0rz wrote:
What about Eastern Germany? I heard there is still a lot of white nationalism in those parts. An older brother of a friend visited Germany after he graduated and when in parts of Eastern Germany, he said they'd get thrown out of bars for not being white enough? Just a lie or is this true? Wtf? Show nested quote +On May 09 2009 16:27 NeverGG wrote:On May 09 2009 16:17 konadora wrote:On May 09 2009 15:46 NeverGG wrote:On May 09 2009 14:39 konadora wrote:On May 09 2009 13:35 NeverGG wrote:On May 09 2009 12:58 konadora wrote:
Wow NeverGG, I didn't see that coming.
Even up til a few years back when I last visited Korea, that was a very, VERY rare sight. I've seen many foreigners going around and they hardly get the treatment that you received.
Guess the society has changed so much...
But I understand the thing on the subway about talking on the phone. In Korea and Japan, it is considered 'rude' to actually talk on your phone in the subway, being distracting and all. That's why you don't see people smashing buttons on their PSP or scribbling nonsense on their DS. But the way they treated you was just... D:
I guess that's why my mom told me not to reveal to people I meet that I am actually living overseas. Actually I see more Koreans on their PSPs/DSs and phones than those reading or sitting there sleeping/resting. It is a completely common sight which is what makes their behaviour towards me and other foreigners so hypocritical. Guess society has really changed a lot in the 3 years I did not go back to Korea... In Japan you'd probably die though, hardly anyone plays their consoles on subways despite all owning them. Even if they're listening on the mp3 players, they'll keep it down so that the people beside won't be affected. Yeah I noticed the signs were really specific (and super polite.) about not listening to music which would be audible to others. I didn't see a single person talking on the phone or using a console. (When I was on the Fukuoka subway system.) I liked Japan, but it feels so expensive compared to Korea. I'd definitely be broke constantly because I love to shop! I spent SGD700 for a day's worth of shopping, and SGD150 on first two days in convenience stores. Singapore Dollar and Japanese Yen exchange rate is sooo rigged. I spent $700 in two days in one shop. I'm utterly hopeless when it comes to buying things! USD700? Wow that's a lot... what on earth did you buy lol
Mainly magazines with a few other things (like books) thrown in. I'm an import magazine/book whore. I love to collect them. I actually went hungry on the second day aside from a crepe whilst waiting outside for the place to open just so I could buy more magazines/art-books.
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@NeverGG: Haha yeah some taxi drivers are a bitch. I remember that my mom got yelled at because apparently she wasn't saying the destination clearly enough -_-.
Although I have to admit a lot of Korea has improved within the years. For instance, the transportation system has gradually improved. I remember that bus drivers were generally a lot more hostile towards passengers, as in they would tell them to get on quickly and stuff like that. But now, bus drivers even say "Welcome!" when someone gets on the board and stuff like that. Happened to me a lot o_O.
I am rather surprised though. Do a lot of Koreans really view foreigners in such a negative way? I thought that the speaking English fluently was an amazing ability to have. I sometimes found myself speaking English but didn't recognize such hostility towards me. Maybe that's because I'm Korean.
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konadora
Singapore66364 Posts
On May 09 2009 17:07 NeverGG wrote:Show nested quote +On May 09 2009 16:49 konadora wrote:On May 09 2009 16:40 rushz0rz wrote:
What about Eastern Germany? I heard there is still a lot of white nationalism in those parts. An older brother of a friend visited Germany after he graduated and when in parts of Eastern Germany, he said they'd get thrown out of bars for not being white enough? Just a lie or is this true? Wtf? On May 09 2009 16:27 NeverGG wrote:On May 09 2009 16:17 konadora wrote:On May 09 2009 15:46 NeverGG wrote:On May 09 2009 14:39 konadora wrote:On May 09 2009 13:35 NeverGG wrote:On May 09 2009 12:58 konadora wrote:
Wow NeverGG, I didn't see that coming.
Even up til a few years back when I last visited Korea, that was a very, VERY rare sight. I've seen many foreigners going around and they hardly get the treatment that you received.
Guess the society has changed so much...
But I understand the thing on the subway about talking on the phone. In Korea and Japan, it is considered 'rude' to actually talk on your phone in the subway, being distracting and all. That's why you don't see people smashing buttons on their PSP or scribbling nonsense on their DS. But the way they treated you was just... D:
I guess that's why my mom told me not to reveal to people I meet that I am actually living overseas. Actually I see more Koreans on their PSPs/DSs and phones than those reading or sitting there sleeping/resting. It is a completely common sight which is what makes their behaviour towards me and other foreigners so hypocritical. Guess society has really changed a lot in the 3 years I did not go back to Korea... In Japan you'd probably die though, hardly anyone plays their consoles on subways despite all owning them. Even if they're listening on the mp3 players, they'll keep it down so that the people beside won't be affected. Yeah I noticed the signs were really specific (and super polite.) about not listening to music which would be audible to others. I didn't see a single person talking on the phone or using a console. (When I was on the Fukuoka subway system.) I liked Japan, but it feels so expensive compared to Korea. I'd definitely be broke constantly because I love to shop! I spent SGD700 for a day's worth of shopping, and SGD150 on first two days in convenience stores. Singapore Dollar and Japanese Yen exchange rate is sooo rigged. I spent $700 in two days in one shop. I'm utterly hopeless when it comes to buying things! USD700? Wow that's a lot... what on earth did you buy lol Mainly magazines with a few other things (like books) thrown in. I'm an import magazine/book whore. I love to collect them. I actually went hungry on the second day aside from a crepe whilst waiting outside for the place to open just so I could buy more magazines/art-books.
Hahaha I totally understand what you mean XD
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Melbourne5338 Posts
On May 09 2009 16:59 GTR wrote:
australia's public transport is so third world.
everywhere but melbourne's is.
melbourne's could pass for ok.
On May 09 2009 16:27 NeverGG wrote:Show nested quote +On May 09 2009 16:17 konadora wrote:On May 09 2009 15:46 NeverGG wrote:On May 09 2009 14:39 konadora wrote:On May 09 2009 13:35 NeverGG wrote:On May 09 2009 12:58 konadora wrote:
Wow NeverGG, I didn't see that coming.
Even up til a few years back when I last visited Korea, that was a very, VERY rare sight. I've seen many foreigners going around and they hardly get the treatment that you received.
Guess the society has changed so much...
But I understand the thing on the subway about talking on the phone. In Korea and Japan, it is considered 'rude' to actually talk on your phone in the subway, being distracting and all. That's why you don't see people smashing buttons on their PSP or scribbling nonsense on their DS. But the way they treated you was just... D:
I guess that's why my mom told me not to reveal to people I meet that I am actually living overseas. Actually I see more Koreans on their PSPs/DSs and phones than those reading or sitting there sleeping/resting. It is a completely common sight which is what makes their behaviour towards me and other foreigners so hypocritical. Guess society has really changed a lot in the 3 years I did not go back to Korea... In Japan you'd probably die though, hardly anyone plays their consoles on subways despite all owning them. Even if they're listening on the mp3 players, they'll keep it down so that the people beside won't be affected. Yeah I noticed the signs were really specific (and super polite.) about not listening to music which would be audible to others. I didn't see a single person talking on the phone or using a console. (When I was on the Fukuoka subway system.) I liked Japan, but it feels so expensive compared to Korea. I'd definitely be broke constantly because I love to shop! I spent SGD700 for a day's worth of shopping, and SGD150 on first two days in convenience stores. Singapore Dollar and Japanese Yen exchange rate is sooo rigged. I spent $700 in two days in one shop. I'm utterly hopeless when it comes to buying things!
I spent $AUD4000 in a month in japan (including hotels) :/
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konadora
Singapore66364 Posts
Lol pachi, but actually 4K for a month seems quite reasonable.
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On May 09 2009 18:26 konadora wrote:
Lol pachi, but actually 4K for a month seems quite reasonable.
4k in japan is reasonable
700 in singapore in a shop? no way.... thats being ripped off!
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NeverGG
United Kingdom5399 Posts
On May 10 2009 00:20 NeverTheEndlessWiz wrote:Show nested quote +On May 09 2009 18:26 konadora wrote:
Lol pachi, but actually 4K for a month seems quite reasonable. 4k in japan is reasonable 700 in singapore in a shop? no way.... thats being ripped off!
It wasn't Singapore where I spent $700 - it was Japan.
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konadora
Singapore66364 Posts
Not one shop, the whole town (actually I could have spent another 500~1000, but ran out of money  )
Edit: Wtf 4000th post
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On May 09 2009 12:50 NeverGG wrote:
I also had an older man come up to me once and ask me to speak in Korean when I'm in Korea - I replied in Korean and gave him a filthy look - it's so rude considering no one would tell him to speak English if he went to visit England. (Well I wouldn't anyway.)
I've been told to speak English since it's America, despite the fact that I was born in America and can speak perfect English. =/
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EPT
