Head’s up to the Marmot’s Hole for posting an article from the Chosun about foreigners reacting to Korean invasions of personal space and other matters of etiquette. I know I have experience some cringe worthy moments during my time here. The most funny and eye roll worthy was the instance where I was having a drink at a bar and a young Korean male came up to me speaking like a member of the G-unit.
I politely asked him for some privacy, but he had to “bond” about being products of single mothers and how some guy in the bar disrespected his mom and how “we shouldn’t take that shit and should beat him down.” Now, where the hell did all that come from! I told the guy he’d have to follow through on his beat down without me.
After a Twilight Zone moment like that I can see where the people in the article are coming from. Korea does seem to lack a certain level of politeness, consideration, and courtesy, but I suppose it can be chalked up to cultural differences. Still, a line has to be drawn somewhere, right? One man’s cultural difference is another’s fighting words.
What do you think? Is this all much ado about nothing or does Korea need an etiquette injection?
(Ha, I just noticed my dyslexic typing skills at work all fixed now.)
I've been thinking about teaching in the middle east. Do you recommend it? Are you restricted from going places? Is there a lot to do? Do you feel isolated? Is there an expat community?</></>I wouldn't want be shuttered away somewhere or afraid to go out because of the beheadings or something.</></>Its not that bad, right?
Actually, I think the country people where we have been just got too much money coming in from the Americans.When we took the train up to Seoul the climate of the people and the way they acted got warmer and warmer.I did meet many friendly people down there too though, just wanna add that 🙂Especially on our second time there, I wasn’t so frustrated and got out more to see things 😉The Middle East, mh, maybe I should rephrase that.Bahrain has a bunch of friendly people and Oman supposedly is nice too.Most Arab countries very much dislike the Kuwaitis for their arrogance.Go figure 😉
Oh yeah, they are pretty bad. We lived in Seoul for a year. I never suffered too badly, but the little things they do used to drive my wife crazy.</></>The Koreans just dont get enough exposure to westerners to realize how they come over sometimes. </></>It's all very saying that it's very important for them to know your age, university, hometown, marital status etc because that's what they all do, but most of them don't understand that it's not how everyone else works. </></>You were on blogrush on my blog as well, but I found you before from somewhere!
Thanks for the comments, Nicole! I’m glad you found the site.I bet the country was a bit more rude, but at least they have the excuse of not being in contact with many foreigners. The big city folk though?Sorry to hear that the middle east is worse. When I was in Israel it was a great experience, but maybe thats not the norm. I hope you’re in one of the more “liberal” countries over there!take care!
Hi there :)</>We spent two years in rural Waegwan and I often thought that people are rude.</>Looking back I realize that much of that has just been the way they are.</></>It's even worse over here. Right now I say, most people are very rude behind a masque of politeness.</>I could go on for a while, but that would be rude ;)</>But let me tell you that I think the Middle East is worse than Korea ever has been…. </></>(found you via blogrush)