As far as the purpose of this article goes, I am not writing here only to criticize the negative aspects of living in Korea or Korean people's attitudes.
It is a part of this article, but I am only doing it because I wanted to point out some of the cross-cultural aspects Koreans and foreigners need to know.
Let me point out a few things that Koreans do very often, which seem strange to foreigners. First of all, staring at white and black people may not seem like a big issue, but it does make them feel uncomfortable.
Furthermore, asking all kinds of personal questions such as, ``Are you married?'' ``How old are you?'' and ``Have you ever done drugs?'' is even more annoying to people from other countries.
Koreans simply ask strangers these questions without any bad intentions. They don't mean anything by it and are just trying to be friendly and ``break the ice.''
Well, that just rolled off the tongue, didn't it?
2 comments:
What is the big deal with being stared at? I just stare back and laugh. But, I must admit the only people who really stare at me are children. I just say "hello" and they say "hello" or "hi" back. Sometimes, they start talking to me ask, "Where are you from?" or "What is your name?" It's an opportunity to give a positive image of foreigners to those who are most impressionable and the last hope for rationality in Korea.
No one has ever asked me whether I use drugs. I had some students ask me if I smoked. I told, in front of my co-teacher who does smoke, "I have never smoked in my life. It's a nasty habit." Fortunately, my co-teacher agrees and tells the students that he wants to quit but it is hard.
The only time I find it uncomfy is when a guy is looking at me up 'n' down in an elevator or standing at a urinal.
I'm frequently in my "own world" when in public so I don't really notice stares. Koreans I'm with will sometimes point it out but then it might be a function of I'm with a Korean woman at that moment.
And I'm pretty sure I do my fair share of staring in Korea.
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