Why are Koreans Rude?

French of Asia.

madne0, I thought the same thing, I have never really thought of Italians as being rude either. French of Asia sounds more appropiate if the stereotype is true about them in France. I have never been to France so I couldn't tell you. However, every person from France I met in Korea were very nice and polite.

I'll speak up for the Koreans. I think they are very polite, but not in areas that United States folks expect it, i.e., it's a cultural shock issue. It's something you have to learn to live with in Korea. It's your problem not the Koreans.

Notions of what constitutes rude (or polite) behavior are purely cultural. If you were to walk into someone’s home wearing your shoes in Korea, you’d be thought of as being rude and inconsiderate. If you were to insist that people take off their shoes when entering your home in the US, you’d be thought of as an inconsiderate host.

North Americans are used to wide open spaces. Our personal bubbles are bigger than those of people who live in very densely populated areas. Even native New Yorkers still have a bigger bubble than Koreans. Most Koreans, in my observation, don’t have a problem being close to each other. Notice how parties will all be grouped together in a restaurant—when the rest of the place is empty. Notice how, at holiday time, will crowd dozens of people into their grandparents’ tiny home and sleep shoulder to shoulder on the floor. Is it rude for a restaurant to seat people so close together? In the US, maybe. In Korea? Nope.

I think you hit the nail on the head there. The older people are the line cutters, and a Korean would never scold an elder. We can scold them because we are ignorant foreigners who don’t know the rules (or at least pretend not to). You’d never see a young person cutting in front of their elder.

As for being good hosts, yeah absolutely. I’m amazed whenever I visit a home. They are always ready for guests. It seems they keep a refrigerator full of goodies for guests. I frustrate my wife because she is always trying to keep these things around the house so we can be good hosts, but I always eat them. It is starting to cut into the number of people we invite (and not to mention the increase in my waist size).

This being a good host also carried over to the 2002 World Cup frenzy. I never had better service from everyday Koreans. Taxi drivers went out of their way to pick me up (one even told my wife that he was just finishing his shift and wasn’t going to pick me up, but he wanted to be a good host to foreigners so he stopped)

why are koreans rude??

1) Korea lacks " thinking or logical" education. Korean style of education system is simply outdated. It has strong Japanese influence. Test Prep style of educational system simply don't cut it in real modern world.

2) Korea is still agricultural society. Farmers and Ajuma's ( Housewife) rule Korean society. Good or Worse. It's biggest problem about Korea. Korean disease derived from this two things Farmers and Ajuma's. Politically or Economically killing Korea.

3) Koreans are neither French or Irish. Koreans are Koreans. If you add Irish, Italian and Jewish. You do have Koreans.

4) Yes, Koreans are rude. In good or bad way. It was rudeness that saved Korea.

5) Koreans are rude as much as People from New Jersey or New York or even Boston, Massachusetts. Koreans have " Hot" and " cold" direct personality like East Coast " New England Yankees". Yes, Koreans are direct and very blunt people. If they want too. Yes, I have met direct and blunt Koreans.

6) Is rudeness bad?? Answer is No. Why??? It's alot better than phillipinoes " backstabbing" or Japanese " superficialness" or Chinese " superiority complex". I would have 10 Koreans over German, Japanese, Chinese or even Phillipinoes. Koreans are direct and emotional. But least they are trust worthy people with words and friendship in this regard they are like Italians.

For sure, I think most Koreans can be rude. It's worth noting that they can be quite the actors in regards to placing the 'ol best foot forward routine, but when that gets old, a foreign person can be in for some rude behavior.

Thankfully, not all Koreans are line cutters and sidewalk bumpers. I've made a couple Korean friends along the way during my work stint here who openly admit the obvious rudeness of their peers. What seems to make the difference when dealing with Koreans is whether or not they see you as a person or a thing. I think it's true that Koreans must accept you as a person before you're given personal treatment. Otherwise, you can be treated the same way as a dog that needs medicine over here: out the door, no questions asked. This, I experienced personally and I really lost respect for their culture because of this throw away mentality. I've seen many a stray dog that would have been bought a few months ago from a pet store only to be tossed to the street because of fleas, infection, etc., and the cost of medicine needed to treat it.

Which leads me to another qualm I have with some Koreans: Most are painfully cheap and greedy. If you ask around, many foreign workers here get the big runaround and can lose a lot of money as a result of dealing with a Korean employer. I remember an experienced female ESL teacher from the US helped me to figure out why they act as they do with money, and she put it this way: "Not long ago they were picking daisies from fields and eating them. Suddenly, they industrialized (with the enormous aid given by foreign countries) and they convinced themselves to never again be that way." I sort of agree with this, but there's more to it than that as the younger generations aren't in touch with the dark past of Korea. Rather, I think the material wealth thing is ingrained in their minds where ever they turn. The BMWs, fancy suits, new laptops, etc., are the pinnacle of success for them. They haven't quite caught on to the notion that material things don't really equate to happiness.

Overall, Koreans can be very rude especially compared to neighboring Asian countries. I recommend Korea for those who wish to work for a limited time (with a reputable company; ask other foreign staff) but not as a long term home. The quality of life here isn't very good compared to other developed nations.

To: Typeking

Excuse me? Have you been to the Philippines? If you haven't, then, you don't have the right to say that Filipinos are "backstabbers." As far as the Filipino people are concern, the world has once made to believe that Filipinos are one of the friendliest people on earth and it quite convincing until now. And according to the latest statistics, there are over 300,000 Koreans now in the Philippines. Some if them come to the country for pleasure or for English study while some others chose to retire in the Philippines for good. Now, what do these people saw about the Philippines that you didn't see or maybe, even notice? Have you ever been with one of these people you labeled as "backstabbers?" How come you could throw a false lie against them? Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Viva las islas Filipinas!!!

On the expressway from LA to Vegas, there is one Korean restaurant where many Korean tourists from Korea stop to eat. During one summer, one of the Korean tourist's family was dining in the restaurant. The mother told her kids that if they did not study hard in school then they would be end up being like those Wait staff working in the restaurant. One of a wait staff was the owner's daughter, UC Berkeley student, was helping out her family business during her summer vacation. She heard the comment from the woman and she complained to her parents. Her parents kicked the family out of the restaurant.

Well, I've lived here for five years and Koreans are the rudest people that I have ever met. They don't que up in lines like we do in North America. You can walk into an empty bar or restaurant and they're already telling you where to sit(I'll find my own seat in an empty place, thank you very much). You should see how they treat people who work in restaurants (try that in Mexico and see what happens). Mexicans are totally the opposite from Koreans, they are well-mannered, cordial and polite.

😡 I am an English Teacher in Ulsan. I am an African-American young woman that have had to get PHYSICAL, AND NOT IN A GOOD WAY, with these disgusting Korean men. I recognize that this country is different than America. I accepted that before I came here. I have been willing to adapt to certain cultural differences, but I WILL NOT assimilate to the culture. They are somethings that baffle me here. There was a foreign teacher here that was sexually assaulted from the states and nothing was done about it. The only thing that her director was worried about was finding a replacement and was MAD AS HELL about that. I have been here now for almost 5 months. I know that I WILL NOT renew my contract because I am not the least bit impressed with the Korean culture. I have counted on my hand how many people that have been nice to me. There has been less than 10 people that has been nice to me since I have been here. In response to Jeff, I totally agree with everything that you said. Koreans think that because you are BLACK that you are beneath them because that is what the media has portrayed about African-American race. I will complete my year here because I am not a quitter. I love teaching English. This is a discipline that I am passionate about and nothing, I MEAN NOTHING, is going to come between me accomplishing my goal!!! Be Blessed Everyone!

They're rude because they don't want to be Korean-nobody does!!

Food is awful,booze is rancid rotgut,apartments are state housing standard,no free time,impossible to escape from people,expected to be polite to grotty old people,etc etc.

Of course they're rude!I'd be plenty pissed too!

They can be very nice,but it's really just a question of whether they want to or feel that they have to.The first is uncommon.Koreans generally are self-centred and needyThe second is just the usual sucking-up,but cursing once they walk away.

To compare cultures or label an entire culture as "good" or "bad" is pure idiocy and . . . well . . . rude. They are just different and no amount of time in a foreign country will probably ever convince you that a different culture is inherently better than the one you were raised in, short of some terribly tramatic experience at home.

There are rude and polite people in every culture and, in general, I've found Koreans to be far more polite than those inhabiting many of the large cities of the world . . . at least those living in Korea. However, you can't expect them to follow Western standards of politeness . . . though the same tunnel vision that causes you to expect this will no doubt empower Koreans to judge you by their standard, and the cycle continues. The difference being, of course, that its their country, not yours. Their culture and standards are "normal" in Korea, not yours. If it is so hard to understand this concept and so intolerable for you to stay there . . . leave, it really is that simple, unless the military has sent you there . . . in which case its like any other assignment, it'll evemtually end.

Racism and sexism are truly the dark side of Korean culture, but then again, since it springs from deep roots in the region's Confucian past, its just as bad (if not worse) in Japan and China, nations whose cultures were similarly influenced by that philosopher's teachings. Inexcusable to me, it is–believe it or not–getting better . . . even in Korea. Riena, I can only sympathize with how difficult a time you must have had in Korea (as an African-American and a woman!) and can only praise your bravery in going there in the first place. Assuming you generally kept your cool, I can only offer that your positive behavior will impact the next generation there as humans (even Koreans) will always trust their own experiences over the trash put out by even a popular web site or television news show. Still, I wouldn't recommend coming to Japan to teach either, for all the reasons you already know so well.

Those of you complaining of line-cutting obviously weren't around Korea in the 90's when you couldn't even find a que in front of a window and people just mobbed every counter. Those of you complaining of Korean drivers have obviously never attempted (unsuccessfully) to cross a cross-walk on foot in Barcelona and had a bus actually accelerate to beat you to the light (green for me . . . red for him!). Those of you complaining about dirt and filth in Korea haven't watched as the chicken you just ordered was washed in the canal next to the restaurant in China . . . where 50 meters down an old lady was doing her laundry . . . where another 20 meters down a guy was urinating . . . all in the same canal!

While the belief that certain standards of behavior are somehow universal may make you feel a certain righteous indignation or somehow culturally superior, the simple fact is they are not . . . though globalization does seem to be bringing about a slow norming process across the region. Still, the basic reality is that as soon as you leave your own country, your culture is no longer "normal" and you have to meet others with a view towards where they are coming from, not where you are coming from.

I've found getting along with Koreans is relatively simple. Treat people with the same level of respect a person in your social and age status would treat them, but dress and act several levels higher. Koreans will most often treat you as you present yourself . . . and they'll be appreciative that someone of such obviously high status is treating them with respect as well.

I am an English Teacher in Korea from the States. Of course you hear all day how America is bad and rude, hagwon bosses that rip you off, not being able to get basic services such as a cell phone, cable TV or internet without your school's approval etc. Went to Japan for a week vacation and a funny thing happened. In the line of polite Japanese some people were cutting, spitting etc. Guess who they were, yep Koreans. How do I know they were Koreans, well after 9 months of learning Korean, I can tell Koreans from Japanese to all the netizens out there!

small minded people love to categorize and stereotype people and their cultures. i never could understand why those who "teach" in korea or anywhere for that matter stay in their host countries if they hate it so much? they live in these countries and do nothing but complain. im not arguing about whether koreans are rude or not. im just confused as to why people stay in a place where theyre not happy.

and shattered, youre so transparent. its obvious youre either japanese or chinese and have a chip on your shoulder.

Whew, comparing the Koreans to the Italians, thats not fair to the Italians

whether the koreans are rude or thoughtful is not the point. if theyre rude…fine, theyre rude. dont like it? gtfo of their country. what makes you think you can change them or their rude culture?

1. Seems I struck a nerve.

2. not an english teacher.

3. been married to a Korean.

4. you are an idiot.

While Koreans can be rude, most of the ones I met while I was stationed in Osan (1991,1993) were quite nice.

Something I learned while I was stationed in Germany helped a great deal. Learn about the people and the country where you are going.

Korean's have a mindset of "one race" with everybody else as #2. We have no "face" or honor and have to earn it.

Learning how to always use 2 hands helps as it shows you actually have a clue as to their society.

I may not be able to converse entirely in Korean, but I got along quite well by just being nice and respectful. We as Americans need to remember that we have to try and learn about our Korean friends and how to get along with them.

BTW, can somebody send me a giant shipment of bulgogi w/chimchee and soju?

Oh, anyone know what that brown sauce that is served with bulgogi? its a tad spicey and I can't find it here in the states.

"Most of the Koreans I came across was rude."

This is normal in Korea. If only the Japanese were allowed to civilize the chosun jin. Korea would have been come a civilized and nice place.

In Bali, I suggest hitting the Korean on the top of the head with a stick and warn them to behave. Koreans can do nothing alone, so look out for the rest of the pack. If there is a pack, hit the leader in the nose and the rest will scatter and hide.

While I believe Koreans can be rude, in general, they have been rather polite and friendly to me. As for being the "Italians of Asia", quite possibly.

Koreans are certainly very rude. Whether you speak Korean or English, you will very very rarely here them say please, hello or thank you. It is common knowledge (this is supported by academic inquiry) that it was Korean rudeness that was one element that provoked the LA riots – their inability to say hello. thank you, use peoples' names or engage in small talk, went down like a cup of warm sick in LA – this is why virtually every Korean store in areas around the riots were looted and burned.

I won't even get into spitting, littering, attitudes to foreigners, women or each other. Koreans are rude – but it's not their fault – they know no better, therefore it would wrong to punish anyone for their Koreaness.

You make a lot of good points April. But you are off the mark if you want to allow unfettered immigration of Koreans to the USA. They will ruin the USA like they do to other nations. I say that immigration between the USA and Korea should be equal. One for one. Allow no more Koreans in the USA until there are 2,000,000 Americans in Korea. (maybe if the USA started to send her convicts to Korea that would be fair too)

"I do try to keep in mind that it isn’t personal but due to their so-called “culture”. But from what I see there is nothing here of value that wasn’t copied from a more civilized nation. Everything here is shoddy and bootleg and copied. "

True True True, April. Korea is a dump and their so called culture is copied, and copied in a shotty way. If Koreans had any dignity and honesty they would wake up every morning and say thank you to China, Japan and the USA. Without those three nations Korea would have no history, culture, or doorway to the world.

"My husband said these “Korean” beauties are probably decendants of the comfort women or other women who (willingly or otherwise)shacked up with Japanese soldiers."

I heard a similar story April, but I heard they were more than willing. They were "eager beavers" as it were. To be fair, I find when Koreans get surgery to become more Japanese looking, to be a good idea. But some things surgery can't fix. Like Lee Ho Lee's long torso. Very long torso. And big heads. Cant fix that.

As this is the first Asian country I have visited, I can make no comparisons. But being a very liberal American, I can now say I had fallen prey to the dribble with which we portray other cultures as being somehow superior. I think living here would cure that misconception for most people, even the lowest level of people back home would not behave in the ways which are common here. They put on a facade, a show, a superficial imitation – but the things the culture produces are not the culture itself and simply adorning yourself with trinkets does not suffice. Western civility would be a great addtition to the 'culture' here and wouldn't diminish it at all – I mean, it can't be a cultural value to not have any manners can it?

I have never seen a parent correcting a child for being in the way or doing anything wrong – the way they are constantly corrected in my country. I think these 100,000 or so tiny, unwritten rules which seem unknown in Korea are at the heart of the problem. As a teacher, I see no behavioral difference between my kids and adults aside from rough-housing and talkativeness. I have just about given up pointing out these slight infractions to my students because it seems a lost cause.

Dignity takes sacrifice, but it is worth it because if I behave in a dignified manner you have more dignity because of it. By sacrifice I mean things like waiting your turn or perhaps not running to barely make a crosswalk's green light or not taking up as much damn space as you possibly can or not bumping into people because you refuse to move a single inch to the side while deliberately looking away in a passive agressive attempt at machismo. I have yet to observe a Korean sacrificing personal gain or convenience for dignity. I mean, why should they? – just do whatever the f*ck you want because no one matters but you right?

How many of you know that driving a motorcycle on the sidewalk is illegal? The police seem to do absolutely nothing for any motor vehicle violation and as a result seem to have no respect at all. We have all seen motorcycles doing things that should get their permits revoked, and sometimes right in front of the police – all the while honking at pedestrians to get out of thier way; feels like a 3rd world country sometimes. I believe it is true that the concept of shame has kept Korean people in line, but I also believe that the idea of shame is becoming less and less important. I think that if they do not start enforcing the smaller laws, the consequences will be disastrous a generation or two from now.

I think the attitude of being able to do whatever benefits you most right now is very ingrained here. There is no shame in being disgustingly rude. I mean, what would happen in the States if any of these things were to happen? – people would yell at them, correct them on the spot, shame them or even call the police. I've seen two ajossi struggling over who was going to be able to cut into the very first position in line, all the while with these stupid smiles on their faces. If you can't act respectably, how can you think you deserve respect?

I ask Koreans themselves about these things. the most precious answer I have received is that Koreans have a revolutionay spirit of freedom. Sure… that was too easy, so I didn't say anything – the hardest part was not laughing.

I could go on and on, as we all could. I will finish my time here and perhaps go to another country, but I am skeptical – I have heard it is worse in China and is Japan truly as civil as they portray themselves? It is true, as I have heard many times, that being abroad will make one appreciate thier own country – I just wonder if that is true of Koreans who visit the US…

PS – be careful out there: the rate of vehicle to pedestrian injuries is four times that of the US.

Japan is a civilization? Wow really? A civilization that repeatedly refuses to acknowledge their war crimes? A country which has some of the highest suicide rates amongst teenagers?

Koreans hate them because of their "civilization". Yes, I agree with you, but only in the sense that their "civilization" was forced down their throats with threats of murder or torture.

Japanese people never hit their children? Haha…you do realize that the overturning of corporal punishment happened int he past decade and due to that there have been many problems in their school systems right? (E.g. mass boycotts of school if they believe their teacher is too hard, etc)

"You make a lot of good points April. But you are off the mark if you want to allow unfettered immigration of Koreans to the USA. They will ruin the USA like they do to other nations. I say that immigration between the USA and Korea should be equal. One for one. Allow no more Koreans in the USA until there are 2,000,000 Americans in Korea. (maybe if the USA started to send her convicts to Korea that would be fair too)"

Shattered…really, come on.. I am Korean-American, my parents were born in South Korea and you know we do pretty well here in this country. My father and mother are both Physicians and I myself have just finished medical school. Please don't generalize, it makes you look pretty damn stupid.

We don't have to convince anyone of anything. Koreans, in general, are rude.

Koreans who seek out education and the company of Americans are exempted from all of my comments.

Koreans who are raised in America (as long as their parents don't stick to "Korean courtesy", are exempted).

Ethnocentric? That describes Korean "culture."

koreans are rude because they are always pissed off at something more or less. they need to chill. koreans go to a foreign country and don't interract with the locals. instead, koreans set up their own "korean" commnuties to benefit their well being and do not share the wealth with he locals. that's why koreans are hated all over the world.

TO : CalmSeas

I have been to Philippines, China, India, Korea and Japan. In my experience, I must say that my experience in Philippines has been wonderful and a lot of people I encountered are friendly. In Korea, some people are rude. In India, some people are like little children squabbling and backstabbing but some are nice too. In China, some are nice and some are not same as in Japan.

Why? Are all americans nice and good?

I can see a green monster coming out called jealousy from you. Maybe you cannot accept the fact that some Filipinos are really good. Of course there's good and bad qualities in every race. You seem to have a lot of hatred in your heart towards a certain group of people. Chill out!

To: CalmSeas

Who are you to say what a culture truly is? Each country has their "downfall". And what makes you think that no other country than the Pilippines has what you have listed? You are entitled to an opinion, but don't think that you know a culture for sure. Mindsets like yours are what creates hate in the world.

DR Yu

that would make very interesting post but what if he believes that americans and other (white) foreigners are not rude? the comments and rokdrop's post suggest that americans (and other white foreingers) are living in a country that is less civilized than the countries they are from.

asking rokdrop to have "why are forigners so rude" post is like asking fox news that they should attack the republicans the same way they are attacking the democrates.

"I have been to Philippines, China, India, Korea and Japan. In my experience, I must say that my experience in Philippines has been wonderful and a lot of people I encountered are friendly."

uscalif:

It is a world of difference when you are just visiting the Philippines. The plastic smiles abound in efforts to seperate you from your money. Many people DO try & argue that the PI is a great place based on limited travels and some, who live there, will try & argue that what really goes on…doesn't. They do not want to have their Illusion of paradise busted by the truth, facts and evidence right under their noses. More power to them, but do not expect the rest of the world to NOT call a pile of sh*t…well, Sh*t!

Fe:

"HATE" against foreigners was created by Filipinos long before I ever stepped foot in that wretched country over 30 years ago, so in true Flip fashion, you would have everyone just shutup about the bad things in regards to the PI. Sorry Charlie…the PI is so screwed up that it's reputation is "infamously" known throughout the world.

By your name you must be a Flip, so I would not expect to hold an intellectual discussion with you on the reality of the situation in the Philippines, since Flips are purely driven by emotion. Flips always try to paint a rosy picture of the PI to foreigners because the truth would expose them for the truly racist and criminally minded people that they are.

My counter for a Flip's arguement is this: "If the Philippines is so great, as Flips like to brag, then why are Flips leaving at any chance they get?" 😆

COTABATO CITY — Two government officials have joined hands to deport what they claimed was an arrogant South Korean golfer who was whacked with a golf putter by a provincial vice governor.

North Cotabato Vice Governor Emmanuel Piñol, who hit the foreigner with the putter, earned the support of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in working for the deportation of Young Youn Hyeon, a South Korean now based in Davao City.

Youn allegedly shouted at Filipino golfers last November 9 in Davao City, including Piñol who tried to pacify the South Korean.

Youn is now in hot water as Duterte vowed to work with Piñol to send the South Korean back to his homeland.

"No foreigner has the right to insult a Filipino in his own country," Duterte said in a statement.

His staff confirmed that the mayor had called up the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID) to ask for the conduct of summary deportation proceedings against Youn.

Youn figured in a golf club-whacking incident November 9 after he reportedly struck a golf ball towards Filipino golfer Gary Santiago whom he accused of playing slow at the Davao City Golf Club. The Korean also repeatedly and angrily shouted at Santiago.

When confronted by Santiago in front of several people that included Vice Governor Piñol, the South Korean allegedly yelled at the golfer and later vented his ire on Piñol when he was reminded not to shout at Filipinos.

"Do not shout. You have no right to shout at Filipinos. You are just a visitor in this country. You are not in South Korea," Piñol told the Korean.

Following a heated exchange of words, Piñol whacked Youn with a golf putter while other Filipinos who were around pushed the Korean to the ground.

Youn has reportedly filed charges against Piñol and Santiago but the North Cotabato vice governor was unfazed.

Piñol's lawyer, Luwill Al-ag of Davao City, has prepared the affidavits of witnesses to support the petition for deportation to be filed by the vice governor against the South Korean.

Piñol personally met in Manila Thursday BID Commissioner Marcelo Libanan to file the petition for deportation. The deportation hearing is expected to start this week.

Piñol said there were efforts from the South Korean association in Davao City for an amicable settlement but when contacted by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, he said he turned down the offer.

"We have to teach him a lesson so others, including Filipinos, would not shout at golfers if they play slow," he said.

I spit in the food of the Korean people. My coworkers do not but they laugh at it, even my boss smile when he see me. My boss know Korean people well.

Yes SOYHAPPY! That is funny! I will do same! In Thailand people respect doggy and cat, but Korean eat it! Shame!

One of the problems about Korean being rude is on elders. Elders cry for respects from younger generations. Yes Koreans DO show a lot of respects toward their elders. There is no doubt about that. Do elders respect younger generation? I don't think so. Koreans have tendency to think that they are better than anyone else in the world. Korean Elders are THE WORST. Korean elders know how to order everyone around them but don't the definition of "respect" is. Respecting elders IS important but in return, elders MUST respect other back.

We recently spent a week in Japan. Guess what? NOTHING like Korea. The Japanese people we encountered were not overly friendly, but they were not hostile or rude. When we went shopping, the clerks were not following us around, ripping our selections out of our arms or rushing us to finish making our selections. They were nicer and gave better customer service all the way around.

And, the areas we saw were very clean-no trash on the streets or in vacant lots. The buildings didn't look thrown together, and it didn't stink. No one was picking their nose or feet in public. Despite the number of people, there wasn't all the shoving and line jumping.

All-in-all, despite the fact that, unlike Korea, most of the signs didn't also have English printed on them, the people were much more civilized and foreigner-friendly.

And I was wondering,

If Koreans are so elder-respecting and take care of their elders, why are there so many hunched-over old ladies walking around with baby strollers picking through trash and the old men working as "security guards" in the apartment complexes?

The increased freedom under more democracy, the I1997 IMF crisis, the increasing global competitions, and the global recession certainly made people more selfish and less considerate towards others in South Korea. I would think that even in Japan, where civility may still be better than in Korea, the Japanese, too, may have become like Koreans.

april,

u have found the perfect place to discuss korean people in general. beside rokdrop.com, i think u and ur husband (and perhaps ur son) will have more intelligent discussion regarding mind of korean race at occidentalism.org.

u r welcome

Apparently someone has forgotten what Rodney King said after the LA riots of '92.

I've noticed a lot of my female Korean friends, when ordering at a cafe, for example, will say hello first to the counterperson and use very polite language. This usually elicits friendly service in response. My own opinion is that since I'm the customer, the clerks should be friendly to me first, but it seems some people do things differently around here.

Yesterday I had a funny exchange at Smoothie King in Chongno. The young clerk automatically spoke to me in English after I had ordered in perfect Korean (he was new). I asked in Korean, "Is this America?" He said, "No." Continuing in Korean, I said, "Why are you speaking English? Americans don't speak Korean in shops in America." He agreed that they didn't speak Korean in US shops, but then said, "It's 'service.'" I said, "Well, just speak Korean. This is Korea, and anyway you used panmal to me when you spoke English." (He just barked out the price without even using a verb, let along a verb ending). He became defensive and said, "There are many foreigners who come here." I said, "Well, that's fine but I ordered in Korean, didn't I?" (He had certainly understood me the first time without my having to repeat my order). He continued to argue and said, "Well, it's 'service.'" I said, "Look, in Japan the shop workers speak Japanese, not English. In China, they speak Chinese. This is Korea, so just speak Korean. I'm not a tourist, you know?" He decided to actually start contradicting me: "No, they don't. They speak English in Japan." I said I lived in Japan for three years and they certainly spoke Japanese in the shops there. He insisted and said, "No, they don't." I then got pissed off and just said, "Kibun nappa" and walked away to pick up my drink.

If I were the store manager and saw that punk arguing with a customer like that, I would have fired him instantly. Alas, the problem is that many store owners do not instill sufficient professionalism in their workers.

Hope they can work on that more in the future.

Wow, mighty Scott Burgeson even picks fights with the poor kids at the counter at Smoothie King.

April:

First off, I would suggest pushing this with the USFK authorities…and if they suggest it, then with the Korean authorities…not necessarily the police, since they are a known racist & corrupt entity.

It will more-than-likely be an uphill battle, since most things RIGHT are…but to not to only condones that which has happened.

Again, my hat is off to your son & husband…you must be doing something right. 😉

I lived, worked and studied in Qingdao, China for a year and had the opportunity to study with and meet a large number of Korean students. Let me just say that basic interaction between Koreans is totally different to westerners and just being slightly older than another person immediately puts you on a higher level which demands respect. It took a while but I managed to break the ice and developed some very good friendships and found that many of my fellow Korean classmates were as interested in learning about my culture as I was about theirs. This being said, I did have a few problems with some of the slightly older Koreans (30 – 40 ) who are extremely competitive(nothing wrong with that) but extremely rude in defeat. I received many handshakes after a game of tennis when I lost but rarely got one when I won. Not a big deal but it does leave you feeling a bit sour after a match. Furthermore I sometimes got into small argruments with especially slightly older men who didn't appreciate anybody younger having different points of view. On the most part I did keep my mouth closed and simply listened but I wasn't totally prepared to compromise my own culture by not stating my own beliefs.

Overall, I found the majority of Koreans extremely friendly and accepting of my Australian ways and I would like to hope that Australians are just as accepting of other cultures.

Newsflash: There are all kinds of people in Korea. Some are rude and some are extremely kind. Wow! It's kind of like the rest of the entire human race. What a coincidence!

Hey Zen Mama,

That is quite a sad story that is unfortunately heard far too often. As for changing, it reminds me of a line from the John Travolta movie 'you can take the girl out of the trailer park BUT you can't take the trailer park out of the girl'. Generalisation I know but it is hard to change the values you have been raised with. Hopefully I am wrong !

I think every society has this type of person. People that will never be satisfied with what they have and will use everybody to get more. Seems to be more of a human characteristic than any specific cultural one.

Hi and thank you for your male perspectives. I respect any opposing views as well, as I am not above having my ego put in check. I think it's sexy to be humble…or is it nice girls finish last? I'm so conflicted. Just kidding. I probably should have noted that as far as materialistic women are concerned, there was an American reality show called "Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire?" And I don't recall seeing any Korean gold diggers on that show.

While I make no apologies for some of my previous complaints, I hope to one day let go of some of my hang ups on Korean culture.

If someone insults me though, regardless of race, I will ignore that person, or defend myself if I am continually bullied. I think having a back bone is extremely important when dealing with rudeness on any level, otherwise it's sort of like a double victimization.

Hi Leon. I felt my old friend was nice at first, but it took me a while to figure out that I was just a prop to make her feel important. I use the word "prop" because I don't recall having much in common with my old friend…it was evident in our lack of meaningful conversations with one another. Most of her words were superficial in my mind, and when I tried to express my emotions I was cut off by her, no explanation. She just didn't want to hear it. In terms of my desire to have meaningful conversations, that doesn't mean that I wanted to know all the dirty details of her marriage or engage in vicious gossip about her other friends. I just like to be around people who reveal their characters in ways that are soulful and human and fun at the same time, not robot-like and insincere. It might just be a cultural thing too. I think Americans are more likely to just let it all hang out as far as expressing our feelings. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad.

Brieat32,

It is not just African-Americans that are discriminated against…and I have witnessed a fair number of situations where they were the ones doing the discriminating. And it is the Koreans, who are not anglo-saxon, who have the idea that they are the best race and ALL others (including those of European descent) are inferior. They especially despise all Americans.

However, if you have had good experiences in Japan, you should stay there. We would certainly prefer to be in Japan, as we experienced treatment similar to what you describe when we were in Japan. Or maybe try somewhere in Europe. Some of my African-American and biracial friends say that in Europe they were just known as the "American" and not treated poorly at all. (apparently there is a lot less racism in Europe than America).

Koreans discriminate against ALL non-Koreans, but they are afraid of African-Americans. Some of my friends have had to deal with Koreans who assume they are African and not American (an insult to a proud American), and been looked at by Koreans as something dangerous.

Dear brieat32

As a black man who has lived in Korea, here's my take: Koreans generally dislike all foreigners, but they have an immense sense of inferiority with respect to whites and an immense sennse of superiority with respect to whites. English language schools, for example, will do anything to hire any sort of blond white and everything to not hire a black; and, to go with that, you will find parents who refuse to be taught by a black person, no matter how competent. I have also lived in Japan and before you thnk of moving to Korea, I would encourage you to learn more from blacks who have first-hand experience, especially from ones who are not in the military; take a trip to Seoul, for example, and talk to people. I can't think of an Asian country where blacks are despised as much as they are in Korea. Although I did meet one or two genuine Koreans during my time there, what I experienced as a black person and what I saw black people experience has forever left me with bitter feelings towards Korea and Koreans. Not fair to all, some might say, but there it is.

Dear brieat32

I imagine that "racism blacks south korea" in Google will provide a bit more information.

Yeah, Koreans are racist. Even if they are nice to you b/c you are doing business with them or they are curious or even if they are just nice, they are ingrained with "pride in their mono-ethnic heritage."

Anywhere else, this would be seen for what it is: racism. Here, it is supposed to be heritage. I think I've heard other racists groups using the pride excuse for their beliefs. Whatever color of the skin or where the people are, ANY group that says their race is better based solely on race, is….racist.

Villain, I think that generally European countries treat all Americans as Americans.

Why do I have the feeling that this thread will wind up being the longest one on this site?

For what it's worth, I lived in Japan for 3 years and knew several African-Americans there who were living the life of Riley.

On the other hand, I knew another African-American guy here in Korea who was tossed in the slammer for some minor illegal teaching infraction and eventually deported. He loves Korea and longs to return, but unfortunately the authorities here see things differently.

In the meantime, he sings songs on YouTube just to show how much he loves Korea:

kr.youtube.com/watch?v=RLUAY56YkTk

I have lived in the States and have had the experience of seeing how Koreans behave within their social gropus and outside them. At first i met some nice blokes, who were friendly and his behaviour in general was so respectful towards every race. But during that period spending time with them and getting more into their culture, i realised that they could be so rude, especially those who have a wealthy way of life, they see some people with certain sense of superiority. At the same time, they really idolize Yanks. They do everything a Yank does, they wanna look like them, and at some cases act like them. I had a girlfriend from south korea, and it was a nice experience, very constructive, but sometimes she drove me crazy pretending to act like a yank. I have a venezuelan friend, who i and my girlfriend met once in new york city, and my other half's friend came over to meet us and criticised my friend for coming from a poor country. For Koreans, every non-Asian person is american, every non-asian language is american english, and they compare everything with americans, for example, they usually have certain way of meassuring their ages, so to talk about the regular way counting how old we are in the western world, they say "american age". We all know the states might be the most powerful country in the world, but it's not about having that sense of inferiority towards Yanks. In the other hand, Korean-Americans are really rude, and somehow it's cos they try to imitate americans, but they cannot look like them, so it frustrates them at the point of making them very pedantic. Korean themselves are so nice, but when they come to the States they lose their warmth. Even though i dont have anything against them and i still think they are so nice and have a world class mould football team.

Japanese are not superficial, and Filipinos are not backstabbers. So we agree in part. But to be fair, I have met superficial and backstabbing Koreans.

I find in most cases it is more the individual person than the actual culture that is to blame. I personally have never been to Korea but I find it hard to understand people that have lived in a country for such a long time being unable to adapt and hold such bitter thoughts. My experience is in China where I lived for many years and also encountered people with similar issues. It is strange how some people can thrive in a new environment and others just dwell on all the negative aspects. Maybe I am generalising but if you have truly adapted to your environment, I doubt you would be spending your time on a thread titled 'Why are Koreans rude?' …

I should add that the one thing I liked about Korea was the women. Because of their inferiority with respect to whites (especially Americans), Korean women will give it up to any man who is white, regardless of what sort of loser bum he may be. I never had so much p***y in my life!

I'm from NYC. I know generalizing is wrong, but I have come across some rude people in Korea…also in the U.S. I won't say Koreans and Americans are rude because of it. Koreans are very emotional thinkers, so are some Americans. Some Koreans are not emotional thinkers. The same goes for Americans. However, I do think that the homogeneity of Korea does make it rather easy for us to 'paint the picture with one brush'(hate). I think the homogeneity also makes it just as easy for the Koreans to do the same with foreigners. For example: they classify all foreigners as "wae-guk". There is no differentiation between a German or an Italian. We generalize in the U.S. too – we call whites, whites and blacks, blacks but there is a very BIG difference in behavior still. For example, you have Black West-indian Americans, West African-Americans, and the Blacks who are native to America. You have Jews, Italians, etc (I grew up in Brooklyn -sorry for the short list). All think differently in some areas, but are still generalized as 'black/white people'. "I hate black/white people!…" "which ones?" aught to be the question.

I think before we try to criticize Korea for any faults we need to look at ourselves. Do any of us on this board actually LIVE UP to his/her own expectations in social behavior? I am sure we can all account for a time where we have been complete jerk-offs or dishonest with other people. Lets not criticize Koreans for who they are. Bottom line its not Korea, American, German behavior. Its HUMAN BEHAVIOR :idea:. Were jacked-up and we don't like ourselves very much. 🙁 But, despite the problems, we must to learn to live with each other or we will destroy ourselves; this would be the natural outworking. And what that means for us is to find a reason to love other human beings…even if you witness them not loving themselves-by the way they treat you.

Blessings

I never knew how foriegners thought koreans were so rude…

As a Korean myself, I am really ashamed that forieners think of us as unfriendly, impolite people. But I just want you to know that not all Koreans are like that. And I really appreciate your passion of teaching English here ^^ I hope you can meet some very good korean people while you are still here teaching! Bless you too 😉

Koreans are rude, I wish they never came to my country>>>Philippines. 🙁
hey Koreans! GTFO off my country before you start infecting us with your rudeness!
I see them everywhere, malls, cinemas, schools, UGH.

I was walking in the mall with my sister, I am thin and there was a thin Korean girl who whammed straight into my breasts, it hurt me so bad she didn’t even apologize.
It left a bruise on my chest, and I’m kinda OCD about breast cancer and such, I fantasize about meeting her again and I will tear all the hair from her head.

This is not the only incident I have with them, and I’m always shocked about their audacity to act that way in my own country! Another one is that we were taking pictures in a coffee shop so that I’ll post that in my Facebook account, they acted like they’re the ones I’m capturing in my camera and gave me a bad glare then they all stood up and walked out. AS IF I’LL WASTE MY CAMERA ON SUCH PIGS!

I agree, Japanese and Chinese are the better ones than Koreans! They are uncouth and uncivilized, it’s not that obvious because they dress themselves like a normal fashionista person!

One more thing, they leave but what do they do with their money? They send their siblings and children to school, build houses for their parents…

Something to consider before you laugh at the leaving situation of Filipinos. 😛

I think they are overly rude and trying to be proud because they are trying to delude themselves into thinking their past never happened. This is the past where another country occupied them for 40 years and weren’t pushed out until the U.S. arrived. The past where every mongol in Asia got a piece of the action. Koreans can not and have not ruled themselves, they are only kept as slaves of Asia or made free by others. That’s why it’s called the Sea of Japan and not the Eastern Sea. LOL, how many will that last comment piss off?

Here’s the difference: the Koreans were absolutely controlled before and during WWII by the Japs. On the other hand, the Filipinos put up such a great resistance effort they kept many divisions so busy that the Japs couldn’t use those divisions elsewhere in the Pacific.

And yet, somehow, the Koreans have the nerve to act twice as elitist when traveling to the U.S. or the Philippines. Give me a break. And quit saying “well they are nice on a personal level”. Since when did you have to know someone to not run into them, not cut in line, not cough on them, etc etc.

I've been fortunate to have been able to travel a lot and live in several big cities in Asia, Europe and Australasia. So with some objectivity and broadness of view I feel comfortable in concluding Koreans are the rudest on Earth. I don't want to be harsh or negative but it is difficult to disagree with all the criticisms of the Koreans in this forum. Hellos, thank yous and goodbyes are minimums. Seemingly Korean kindness extends no further than their own family.

Then we shall conclude that they are naturally rude?

Korean=rude?

Yep, that's about it I guess lol.

Sure, rude people are every where – and rudeness is at times culturally defined – It's just my experience that in the game of rudeness, Koreans win the trophy.

To those who defend the uncouth Koreans, are you serious?

Learn to read the effing writings on the wall: Koreans are the next Nazis with their xenophobic, higher than thou attitude.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. How I wish someone would nail that thought to these freakishly CRUDE Koreans!

I’m not Korean Nica and the story is not invented.

Also, why do people yell out “hey Joe” to me in the PI? What makes them think my name is Joe? I find that to be quite rude.

Well April you hit the nail on the head. You're a dumb red-neck hillbilly woman. That explains a lot about you. (HATE TO GENERALIZE) I have a friend from Africa who lived in da south for awhile, and he said he experienced racism every damn day. The "Bubbas" as you refer to would say horrible things to him, and about Asians. He was telling me one time some "Bubbas" were making fun of some Japanese kids, saying horrendous things about them, and he stood up for those Asian kids. Well the "Bubbas" didn't like that one bit, April. He said he had some good people that he ran into, but for the majority, he said, "Nay". I guess I should tell him that he was generalizing too. Damn!

The K.K.K. is very strong in da south APRIL, from what my friend described and I would have to say, "YEP!!"

Good God is everyone on the internet an idiot? Listen I've met people from all over the world. Some good, some not. I've experience racism myself. I'm part Native American, part white. I have a dark complexion. I look like a foreigner, especially in the US. I always have people staring at me. I get the most grief from Whites and Blacks, not from any Asians I've met. I can't really generalize about them, but I will say they seemed fine to me. I didn't notice any of them sneezing, coughing, farting, curse or try to fight with me, like the experiences I've had with non-Asians. Maybe that says something.

I read a lot of these posts and I have to say for a bunch of "civilized" people you sound a lot like the "rude Koreans" you so vehemently hate so much. I mean if you have a problem with S.K. leave. It's not that hard. When you do leave where you gonna go? You going to go to a "civilized" country like America where someone with a gun will pull you out of your car and kill you dead for your Honda? Will you go to England where the violence has risen so much that you can't walk down the street without running into roving gangs of youths where they'll stab you to death? How about Spain where my teacher once described a man dying on the street, and people just walking by, not lifting a finger to help. How about Australia where I saw a video of a group of boys torturing a disabled girl. If those aren't examples of "rude behavior" I don't know what is. I could go on forever, but I'll stop. You can't pick what country is more rude than the other. For all you haters, who want to pick on S.K. and cover up your own inferiority, be my guest. But a lot of you people sound like you're the ones who are "rude".

Yeah, yeah, yeah…..Korea is all that, and even more! I LOVE the opportunity to express my innate AMERICAN despise of socio-cultural mannerisms–You gotta stand up for yourself….you weak pacifists!!When an old lady cuts in front of me, well, I just throw my big fat white ass in front of them, and look at them like they are idiots, like they are! Ha Ha! Try it, it is quite fun…I mean you have to fight fire with fire, right? Just give the third world ethnocentric, xenophobic, racist, mix of Chinese and Japanese people a taste of their "own" medicine!! HA ha ha ha ha

"Learn to read the effing writings on the wall: Koreans are the next Nazis with their xenophobic, higher than thou attitude."

"Just give the third world ethnocentric, xenophobic, racist, mix of Chinese and Japanese people a taste of their “own” medicine!! HA ha ha ha ha"

Some people here are so desperate to show korean rudeness that they become rude themselves.

About 6 years ago, when I started studying the Korean language, we learned how to say "excuse me" in Korean, "Sillaehamneda". Since learning this and living here, I've only heard Koreans use that expresion twice – both times in very expensive restaurants from waiters. So like JoeC said, don't expect to hear sorry: add to this list excuse me and usually not even thank you.

I once heard the people saying that the Koreans were called the "Italians" of Asia

as the two nations are on the "peninsula" and are similarly merry people.

The Koreans are called the "Italians" of Asia to be spoken good of.

Look here in the Philippines for an example: http://cybergladz.i.ph/blogs/cybergladz/2008/09/2…

They not only set up their own town where others are not welcome, but even bribed the city to mark the area and let everyone know. If you go into some restaurants in this part of the city you will not be served unless you are a gook. I use that racial term because that's what it deserves.

When I was in civil service I had a korean-American work for me. She had been in government service for 24 years, and spoke English like chit and certainly couldn't write it. Why? Because in California where she settled she went to a gook market, gook church, gook everything. Even at work on the Navy base most of the office spoke gook because of this nepotism. Definitely not fair, and definitely racist against all non-gooks.

I live here in Korea and I'm able to handle most of the rudeness. It's not as bad as some people make it out to be. I've been all over the world and to me it's like you're going into someones neighborhood, you have to learn the streets to understand what's going on. My Korean friends don't have a rude bone in their body. They ask a lot of questions as I do them. We laugh our asses off at both cultures! Every single time I go on a train to Seoul someone comes up to me and talks to me, it's amazing and when it happens I feel like Koreans are some of the nicest people in the world. When I experience a rude Korean I have to laugh it off. I view this country as being extremely crowded and a lot of people have to compete every single day if they want to make it in life. The Koreans have been screwed over for centuries and even today they're country is divided in half, probably longer than any other country in history. They're screwed and they're P'O'd about it. Trust me, youi don't want to live in a little apartment with no chance to make it in life so be thankful for what you have. There's a LOT of foreigners here in Korea, approximately 2 percent of the entire population. We live in a better place and have more money than most of them. Don't let the rude Koreans get to you, sometimes I do get pissed but I can yell back in Korean if I have to (this works practically every single time!) or I can laugh at the rude person if I want to stoop to his level, as I know he ain't gonna try to mess with me physically. Koreans are tough but I doubt it'll ever come to blows. In that regards it's one of the safest countries in the world.

You're right. All generalizations are false, including this one. Spin that one around for a few hours.

Cracks me up on how some people complain of how Koreans form their own communities in other countries.

In my home town we have the French Hills. Three guesses on who lived there. The town next to mine is made up of mostly the Irish.

Happens in very country and every nationality does it, folks. Get over it.

Hawaii can be some what brutal about not fitting in. Tourist don't see or feel it. If you're living there, that's a whole different story.

Maybe no smile or jokes – but unlike Koreans, you can expect from Germans Hello, Thank you and Goodbye – certainly most Germans wouldn't ignore others in a line.

You are singling out a specific community. I think the myriad of examples worldwide show Koreans are more exclusive than inclusive as a people.

I can’t think of anything more rude than what the supposedly more civilized and better mannered Westerners have done for the last few centuries when they invaded, occupied, colonized, exploited, enslaved, destroyed, disrupted, or manipulated other people around the world.

Don't forget Korea, they invaded themselves ! Is it rude to invade yourself? Well, I guess it is better than invading somebody else.

Tom Cruise,

I'm not a redneck, actually, but if it makes YOU feel superior to sit on your fat retired or contractor butt and call me so, it doesn't matter b/c your opinion means nothing to me. Your are a nonentity in my life. Funny how you take the word of your "black" friend as absolute truth, but call me a redneck and basically imply I am a liar. I experienced racism from black people too.

I'm not a "racist" b/c I don't think badly of someone just b/c of their color or nationality, but I'm not a PC idiot (like you) and I DO make judgments based on my experiences. That is what a smart, critically thinking person does. I don't shy away from calling someone or a group out on their faults just b/c they are a minority. Their "non-white" or "non-American" status does NOT exempt them from the same social rules. Yes, I am judgmental. So is everyone, I just have the honesty to say it, whereas a PC idiot will say, "Oh, every single person from Nobel Prize winning scientist to AIDS riddled crackhead has the exact same worth. Every ideology is equally correct….blah, blah, blah, puke…"

Since I wrote those other posts, I have had some positive experiences in Korea, which I am glad for. But that doesn't change the fact that blatant public nose picking and scamming Americans are a fact of life here in Korea. I don't think they are rude b/c they are Korean. But I have found that 95% of the Koreans in Korea I have encountered are rude. So is the average ignorant person in the South, which I bitch about plenty, but this blog is not about that.

As for your stupid comment about the economy–the American economy has not had a bad impact on me. My family is doing better financially now than ever, so try again.

In case you haven't figured it out, humanity in general disgusts me. Am I superior? Nah, I am just as hard on myself in my daily life. But YOUR criticisms of me are just stupid.

This blog is about Koreans being rude, so that is what I wrote about-my experiences of rude Koreans. It isn't something I would have started a blog about all on my own.

I also can't stand-the average fat Army wife (yes, a disproportionate number of them are sloppy overweight), the large number of NCOs who cannot spell 8th grade vocabulary words, the general pussification of the Army, the inept, surly people in Army offices that act like they are doing you a favor by doing their freaking job, the average bible thumping right wing hypocrite, the average PC liberal who thinks that everything is great and worthy except white Americans, parents who won't discipline their children and act like everyone should think it is cute when their brats run around screaming and acting out in public, uh….people in general.

I'm not a racist. I hate everyone equally.

Wow, I actually agree with April on a lot of that. You can add the Korean clearing of their flem while they stand right next to you to the nose picking.

I agree with you about the following inDUHviduals: NCOs with spelling issues, undisciplined children, and most people since they are retards (although that is redundant since I was listing induhviduals).

It's actually a form of greeting, "look at me I'm great in English let's greet the white guy", hey joe!

Oh, you're not Korean? 😮

Expat,

Certainly, "FOB Koreans" have legitimate grips about Korean-Americans – but the irony is that sometimes FOB Koreans are native Koreans who have been here a while, and are more "conservative" than recent arrivals from the motherland.

It's good to improve relations, of course, but good relations require understanding (even if two parties don't agree on all, they can still get along)… but to understand another, one must be willing. And when it comes to understanding those who are different from them in background or culture, the natives of Korea are not very skilled.

That Koreans come from a society which to this day doesn't teach, encourage, or prod its members to empathize or to sympathize with those whose plights differ from their own doesn't help. (And don't get me wrong; I know a lot of white people in this country are narrow-minded and mean-spirited, and have a long track record of intolerance.).

Reading your comments gives me the impression that what you hate the most is your own life. Get rid of all your hatred and accept Jesus madam.

If I was in a room with any foreigner and they messed it up I'd be very pissed off about it.

Koreans are rude, loud and noisy

Author: Ranie Jangayo, Straight Punch, ? The Daily Guardian

ATTRACTIONS such as cheaper English education, resorts, golf courses and wider business opportunities for those with some capital (much more than local small and medium size enterprises have) as well as Korea’s relative geographic proximity to the Philippines are the prime reasons behind the phenomenal rise of the Korean population here.

Bisan diin nga parte sang Region 6 naga-apan ang mga Koreano!

The hospitality for which the Filipinos are famous also draws them in. And Ilonggos welcome them.

But some of our friends damn them for being loud and noisy, rude and stingy.

Hipos! Mga bastos! Pilipinas ini!

***

How many Koreans are really here? Some estimate, including those from the Bureau of Immigration Intelligence, gave a much higher figure of up to nearly 500,000. They are visible in the country’s major destinations like Bohol, Davao, Cebu and Boracay.

Reports said most of them are illegal and undocumented.

***

In Iloilo City malls, you can always notice a large group of Koreans nga tama ka gahud. Gahud pa sila sa Pinoy. Daw wala maayo nga breed ang mga haslu.

Any comment Kuya Edwin Turista “este” Trompeta?

***

Koreans of all ages come to the Philippines as tourists with one-month visas or longer. During their stay here in Iloilo, they do almost nothing else but attend English classes. Their teachers are Ilonggos.

Mam, dapat itudlo man sa mga bastos nga mga Koreano ang kultura sang Ilonggo.

***

Koreans are not just loud and noisy. They don’t contribute to Filipino tour operators and restaurant owners in Boracay because they patronize Korean establishments. They have taken away business from Filipino entrepreneurs.

Conclusion: Koreans presence hardly benefits the Filipinos.

Yet, the Department of Tourism loves “the Korean invasion.”

***

Of the 200,000 Koreans staying here who do not have proper travel and immigration permits, half have pending applications with the bureau. The rest are absolutely unregistered. Therefore, these are overstaying aliens, reports said.

Ideport ini para ma buhinan ang mga magahud kag bastos diri.

Another direct proof of harm the Korean presence has done is the tit-for-tat between the immigration bureau and the Korean embassy, resulting in the alleged extortion activities of BI personnel against overstaying Koreans.

Sulumpaan!

Nica, you hit the nail on the head. Koreans go to Korean businesses far more than any other nationality goes to their own. People don't believe me, or just defend Koreans, but go some Korean joints in the Philippines and they won't even serve you if you aren't Korean. And they are in the Philippines!!!

korean style of education is not so good but it also contribute alot

to korea

still agricultural?

it has been changed

samsung,LG,hyundai those are koraen brands

simple english, all of us are not perfect whether what country you came where all the same, each of the countries there's a rude, arrogant, polite people etc… i'm not believe that Korea is the only rude country!

sorry for the wrong grammar/english etc..i just want to share my opinion about these subject each of us /country has it's own negative/positive side ..thanks and God bless to all of you!

JKL, there is no way you are a native Korean in Korea. You may be a gyopo who returned, but your diction illustrates you spent time in the US (or Canada).

It's not a problem of trashy to flashy. Non-flashy, non-rich, non-wealthy native Koreans are rude.

JKL, just a question… have you stopped to wonder why sometimes, some of the harshest critics of Korean rudeness are overseas Koreans?

and I don't believe for a minute that this was all done out of self-sacrifice with nothing expected in return. But like I said in my first post, I'm not trying to downplay America's help at all, it's much apprecieated. Before you try to write me off as a reverse-racist American hater, there are many good qualities of America and Americans, and yes I have lived there. But you gotta take the good with the bad right? Or would you prefer it if we just kiss your ass all the time?

“French of Asia.”

I actually had a French woman, residing in Korea, tell this once—nothing against the French since I’m of French ancestry myself. Having said this, personally, I do not find Koreans rude. However, I have often found small business owners cold, people tend to selfishly cut lines, and the drivers are generally terrible; this may be more acute in Seoul because of high stress levels and a large number of people living in close proximity.

Perhaps both Americans and Koreans need to start looking at the positives and showing a little grace in the ‘perceived’ shortcomings of each culture. And in light of all of this, Koreans need to remember, as I am sure most do, that they have much more to lose if the alliance/relationship goes sour. Lastly, Koreans should be aware that the adjustment and culture shock for Americans first entering Korea is often significant and often leads to excessive and sometimes unfair criticism.