What took the most "getting used to"

[DWAEDGIMORIGUKBAP]

Also the whole antagonism between brits and americans was very unexpected to me and took a lot of getting use to.  Just kidding, i'm a brit and 90% of my friends in Korea and the girls i've dated are / were yanks 

Seriosuly though those on either side that have antagonism to the other side tend to be idjiots, most of us get on fine with each other...

[andyfoggy]

no dry wit, sorry , i just miss my maegi maeuntang/ ordinary maeuntang/ kamjatang...the list goes on all cooked in little clay bowls and delivered to your table still boiling YUM!!!

I couldn't stand it for breakfast when I first came to Korea but my tastes have changed, I even eat shinramyen at home for breakfast from time to time, thank god for the asia market!!

but I wont be getting my boshintang fix until  get back to Korea as its a tad illegal here

[Yegob]

no dry wit, sorry , i just miss my maegi maeuntang/ ordinary maeuntang/ kamjatang...the list goes on all cooked in little clay bowls and delivered to your table still boiling YUM!!!

I couldn't stand it for breakfast when I first came to Korea but my tastes have changed, I even eat shinramyen at home for breakfast from time to time, thank god for the asia market!!

but I wont be getting my boshintang fix until  get back to Korea as its a tad illegal here

nah. sorry.. saying you miss fish soup and rice for breakfast means this is either dry wit.. or only one other possibility.

I believe they call it the Stockholm Syndrome.

I couldn't stand it for breakfast when I first came to Korea but my tastes have changed

[Yegob]

Terrible politics always praising God and saying America is blessed is moronic and panders to mass uneducated.

I couldn't agree with you more but when you all have all such mass uneducated and religiously brainwashed, and they vote in droves for the same political party which shamelessly panders to them, it's inescapable outside of certain major urban centers.

what the criticizers don't understand is that it's NOT likely they will meet SUCH Americans abroad or among the global backpacking party, etc.

[madison79]

Also the whole antagonism between brits and americans was very unexpected to me and took a lot of getting use to.  Just kidding, i'm a brit and 90% of my friends in Korea and the girls i've dated are / were yanks 

Seriosuly though those on either side that have antagonism to the other side tend to be idjiots, most of us get on fine with each other...

I honestly have nothing against brits.  I really like them.  From the ones I've met I know they like to push buttons and I def love having a go at some misconceptions.  Srsly, if your grill is messed up it means ur family was poor when u were a kid.  Fix those teeth people.  Flossing it's a daily thing. 

[madison79]

Terrible politics always praising God and saying America is blessed is moronic and panders to mass uneducated.

I couldn't agree with you more but when you all have all such mass uneducated and religiously brainwashed, and they vote in droves for the same political party which shamelessly panders to them, it's inescapable outside of certain major urban centers.

what the criticizers don't understand is that it's NOT likely they will meet SUCH Americans abroad or among the global backpacking party, etc.

Most global long term travelers aren't bible thumping types.  Every country has it's issues.  I wasn't trying to start a US vs UK war.  I was just wondering why he/she pointed their opinion out, which seemed totally off subject.  I respect that person pov but seemed of topic.  Like this next comment.    Do you think dogs know they will die someday? 

[Chalkie]

Wow,

What a digression from the original enquiry.

Brits vs Bible Bashers..Please.

The guy must be really confused by now.

If not then, this may be pertinent to new arrivals.

Hey M,

I am a pragmatist. Not a bull-shitist.

Okay, you hit the ground running real soon.

Great. Get you apartment together. Social stuff can wait till after.
Work out what you need to get your house in order.

Get your boots on and go shopping. Walk around YOUR hood and get to know it.
If it looks confusing use landmarks.

You may have a reliable co-teacher, maybe.

Better to assume that you are on your own for now.
Welcome to Korea!

After 3 weeks you should receive your ARC.

Go down town and open a bank account with your ARC.
If you can manage it. Get a Koren Exchange Bank-Expat Banking account.

Buy a cell phone with your ARC so your possibly useless c o-teacher can call you.
I just pulled funny faces and demanded a 1 year contract.
Some phone shops are retarded. Cruise around till you hit a decent one.
Speakee English a little.

Have a beer break.

If you can do this then you are well on the way.

Happy traveling!

C.

 



 

[Yegob]

Buy a cell phone with your ARC so your possibly useless c o-teacher can call you.

when they call me or text me while in school, it's almost always  good news... classes cancelled, etc or something inconsequential.

if they ever call outside of school hours (which never happens to me) odds are sky high it'll be "bad news".

one of my Korean coteachers has a very funny dark side to her personality. She told me she has 2 phones, one that she uses for school purposes and the other is purely personal. Her policy on receiving ANY calls on her "school phone" is

"no news is good news" (she knows/ understands that little English saying). Cracks me up every time.

[Frozencat99]

Why is it that Korea bashing is rampant and accepted but the second someone drops a negative note about America the defense grid goes up?

I don't see the relevance of his comments to the original topic.  It's like A, B, F.  I'm fine with being critical to Americans but it seemed a little out of place.  I was just wondering why he/she felt that they had to add his finally comment when the topic is what took the most getting used to in Korea.  If he/she would have been dealing with other waygooks cultural/social views IE Americans blah blah blah it might have made more sense. Also, I don't post my complaints about America but I sure do have them.    Terrible politics always praising God and saying America is blessed is moronic and panders to mass uneducated.

Basically, I took it as another Brit taking a jab at Americans for no reason.  In my 5 years in Korea this seems to be something you guys love to do.  Granted so do Americans right back so I'm not getting on a high horse but you guys seem to chin wag about your cultural superiority to anyone who will listen.  Who are you convincing by the way, us or yourself?

I'm not British.

[madison79]

Why is it that Korea bashing is rampant and accepted but the second someone drops a negative note about America the defense grid goes up?

I don't see the relevance of his comments to the original topic.  It's like A, B, F.  I'm fine with being critical to Americans but it seemed a little out of place.  I was just wondering why he/she felt that they had to add his finally comment when the topic is what took the most getting used to in Korea.  If he/she would have been dealing with other waygooks cultural/social views IE Americans blah blah blah it might have made more sense. Also, I don't post my complaints about America but I sure do have them.    Terrible politics always praising God and saying America is blessed is moronic and panders to mass uneducated.

Basically, I took it as another Brit taking a jab at Americans for no reason.  In my 5 years in Korea this seems to be something you guys love to do.  Granted so do Americans right back so I'm not getting on a high horse but you guys seem to chin wag about your cultural superiority to anyone who will listen.  Who are you convincing by the way, us or yourself?

I'm not British.

Okay. 

[Frozencat99]

Apologies, I was distracted and read the "you guys" as if I was included. 

I'd actually add the variations of chin-wagging to my list. When our area collectively goes out, we have NYC kids, Wisconsinites, the Southern US kids, South Africans, and Irishman, myself... differing forms of patriotism come out when you're drinking and talking with one another.

I generally take a shot or drink every time someone says "America's hat".

[ytuque]

There are a few things that I still have trouble with:

1. Animal abuse:  Nearly every time I got for a long walk, I see some poor abused animal  typically an underfed dog with a tight collar and a meter long leash tied to a post or a cat with its tail cut off.
2. Spitting: I haven't gone a day without hearing haaaaawwwwwk pffft.  I even live on the 5th floor of an apartment building, and I can hear that sound when I am in my apartment watching tv. 
3. Walking:  I still find it irritating when someone walks into me, but I see them walking into stationary objects and each other. 
4. Driving:  I have been in perhaps 30 different countries, and this is the only one where I've had drivers honking or shouting at me to move out of the way while they are driving on the sidewalk.
5. Crying:  Koreans seem to cry a lot. I've had male uni students cry when I caught them cheating or thrown them out of a class for some bad behavior. 

As for animal abuse, I hope that I never get used to it.

[marsavalanche]

There are a few things that I still have trouble with:

1. Animal abuse:  Nearly every time I got for a long walk, I see some poor abused animal  typically an underfed dog with a tight collar and a meter long leash tied to a post or a cat with its tail cut off.

As for animal abuse, I hope that I never get used to it.

Really?

Where in Korea do you live?  Every time I go out for a walk I see a toy dog being treated like a member of the family and sometimes with pink or orange ears.  And these owners are the usual vicious ajummas of all people.

I'm with you on the spitting though.  I've seen apologists defend this in some hilarious attempts, but it's hard not to be disgusted with people hacking all the time on the street. 

[madison79]

Small dogs are treated very well but I see tons of bigger dogs chained to places and never touched or played with.  I asked my KT why Korean people have a dog and then chain it to something with a very short lease.  She was like "It's a guard dog".  I smiled and laughed since all you have to do is pet the dog and give it some attention.  It's more likely to guard me stealing your stuff than you.

[Waygookingumisi]

I suppose jar at American culture/people was uncalled for, for me problems i'll maybe re-state here are, mainly understand other people from different countries, and people who do come here are quite unique, obviously the personal space issues again take little understanding but usually never really have huge uproar about it. I actually think american attitude is a good thing in certain ways thinking away from my the country am from and its good to mix with nationalities, tho at times you do miss after being here a while, your own stuff back home. But whenever I say the word american to people back home they all come out with the insults about american's always have to feel like they should prove them-self and stand out from the crowd a little bit and you do get these type over here, but then ignorance is bliss eh.

[woman-king]

Why is it that Korea bashing is rampant and accepted but the second someone drops a negative note about America the defense grid goes up?

I don't see the relevance of his comments to the original topic.  It's like A, B, F.  I'm fine with being critical to Americans but it seemed a little out of place.  I was just wondering why he/she felt that they had to add his finally comment when the topic is what took the most getting used to in Korea.  If he/she would have been dealing with other waygooks cultural/social views IE Americans blah blah blah it might have made more sense. Also, I don't post my complaints about America but I sure do have them.    Terrible politics always praising God and saying America is blessed is moronic and panders to mass uneducated.

Basically, I took it as another Brit taking a jab at Americans for no reason.  In my 5 years in Korea this seems to be something you guys love to do.  Granted so do Americans right back so I'm not getting on a high horse but you guys seem to chin wag about your cultural superiority to anyone who will listen.  Who are you convincing by the way, us or yourself?

Well, I think it should be pointed out that he said hates South Africans the most because they're "hard to understand" and "aggressive."  Americans just cover up their insecurity.  Or I think that was the point.

I'm an American and have only maybe 4 good American friends in Korea; the rest of the foreigners I hang with are Canadians, Brits and South Africans and that has been one of my favorite parts of SK.  I've always enjoyed British culture/entertainment in general, and have lived in Canada for a few years.  But yes, there is that small percentage of non-American Waygook who has some chip on their shoulder about the U.S., which generally comes down to some kind of sanctimonious moral-superiority complex about their country versus Teh Great Satan.  Makes one look really insecure, in my opinion.  And come to think of it, I've never personally met a South African with this kind of axe to grind--perhaps South Africans are used to being criticized for their own country's flaws, and tend to be more sensitive when speaking about others'.

Regarding the original quote we're discussing, it took some getting used to for me to realize there are people teaching English here who cannot construct an understandable English sentence, as is sometimes evident on this site and others.  I don't do the grammar-police thing here, but basic written coherence seems kind of essential given what we do for a living.

[Yegob]

I haven't met a single american here with that lee greenwood 'i love the usa' moral superiority complex against anyone else.

then again, i haven't met any soldiers and very few if any true southerners (who also predominate in military).

like i said before, very very few of 'those' to be found in any expat (and backpacking for that matter) groups.

they tend to stay in the 'home of the ahemm.. brave.. and the land of the ahemm... free.. with their hillrod friends driving their pickups, drinking beer and huntin' varmints.

[Frozencat99]

I've met a few "America, f*** yeah!" types and I've only been here since September. Well, about seven at the most... but only two of them are Marines.

A lot of the patriotism comes out in the topics lamenting some aspect of Korean culture. I'm all for constructive criticism where criticism is due, yet more people seem inclined to compare what they're used to back home to what they're not used to here in a hierarchical fashion.

I think that this topic is a good example of it. About half of the people are comparing home to here in a "I hate freezing my butt off in the bathroom/its hard to get used to the staring in public" sort of way and the other half seem to be "I miss this superior aspect of my homeland" sort of way.

Also, having just come back from dinner with my former co-teacher, it takes a while to get used to the seemingly random aspect of restaurant hours/menus. Some days they don't have galbi tang, some days they're closed when they've always been open at that hour... I'm sure I'd be more in the know if I was more fluent.

[Yegob]

I've met a few "America, f*** yeah!" types and I've only been here since September. Well, about seven at the most... but only two of them are Marines.

A lot of the patriotism comes out in the topics lamenting some aspect of Korean culture. I'm all for constructive criticism where criticism is due, yet more people seem inclined to compare what they're used to back home to what they're not used to here in a hierarchical fashion.

I think that this topic is a good example of it. About half of the people are comparing home to here in a "I hate freezing my butt off in the bathroom/its hard to get used to the staring in public" sort of way and the other half seem to be "I miss this superior aspect of my homeland" sort of way.

Also, having just come back from dinner with my former co-teacher, it takes a while to get used to the seemingly random aspect of restaurant hours/menus. Some days they don't have galbi tang, some days they're closed when they've always been open at that hour... I'm sure I'd be more in the know if I was more fluent.

you'll have to excuse me but I completely do NOT understand how this "patriotism' has anything to do with lamenting or criticizing various aspects of korean 'culture'.   I can bash certain aspects of korean everyday life with the best of them, but that has NOTHING to do with my patriotism/Americanism.  rather it's more of a fundamental philosophical clash, of Greek then Roman vs Chinese philosophy on life, the individual and society. Every fiber  of my being and every single brain cell i possess rejects the Confucian interpretation.

Many Asian societies are/have been influenced by Confucius, but Korea took it to new preposterous lengths, which you won't even find in China these days.

personally i find life and societal culture to be superior to the US in many places., but Korea most certainly wouldn't be one of them. Less anyone find this offensive, i offer the caveat that such a view is inevitably subjective. I'm not saying X is tons better than Y.. what i'm saying is X is tons better than Y...... for ME.

I will also say that as an American, a lot of my fellow Americans  will be shocked and  get  prickly if you dare suggest that you find another country or another country's culture preferable. to which i say tough... deal with it.

[WorkingTitle3484]

Don't know if it was mentioned, but I still question the 'pull' or 'push' suggestions labelled on doors.  I used to laugh at the characters who pushed when they were supposed to pull and vice versa...but life is a comedy.  Now, I'm in a perpetual state of contemplation when I approach a door.  Sometimes it says 'push' and I push, but I'm really supposed to pull...and other times it says 'push' so I pull, thinking I'll win the battle of pride, but turns out I have to really push...karma, sweet karma

I've never looked at a door and thought about its mechanics as much as I have in my life.