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Wow, that thread title is really something else. I'm quite shocked anyone would generalize an entire culture like that based on just a few weeks visiting. Every place has jerks, but most people are decent enough. Too bad that person had some rude encounters, but writing off a whole country and it's people seems extremely unfair. I've heard Korea can take some getting used to for foreigners, but plenty enjoy living and visiting there too once they understand the cultural differences. What a shame this experience left such a bad impression instead of an opportunity to learn.
I agree with this assessment.
I lived in Japan as a child and I have visited Seoul before. I think it's very important to understand that Asians are not WESTERN THINKERS. Once we understand that, things often go more smoothly. I mean, we expect things to be sort of the same and they really, really just aren't, fundamentally. And that's fine!
In winter, both Japan and South Korea have many incoming foreign tourists, they are popular holiday destinations in Asia.
If you can read Asian internet forum in asian languages, you can find many racists posts and other negative opinions about different behaviors, foreigners' or immigrants' looks and skin color, with derogatory terms commonly used. Such discussion are not allowed or frown upon in western countries with ethnic diversity.
Xenophobia is very strong in many asian countries. There is discrimination against people from other parts of the same country in the cities too.
South Koreans are more direct than Japanese and most westerners when expressing dissatisfaction.
Japanese women are less direct and feminine than Koreans and Chinese.
When Asians hate foreigners, means both westerners and other asians are included. Other Asians with the same skin color are also hated. Foreign relations between neighboring asian countries are mostly not good as in Europe and the Americas.
In general, those that work in the tourism industry are polite, and they may speak fluent English, Japanese or Chinese. You may need luck with other types of people in the country.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rocko20
I lived in Japan for 4 years and Korea for 1 year.
The Japanese privately hate foreigners just as much as Koreans and have endless businesses that are completely off limits to foreigners. The Japanese rather have a negative birthrate than accept immigrants from any country and, if they could, they would tell all US troops to leave. They just don't openly show it because they ironically have the best customer service in the world. As a rule of thumb, most urban areas are far more foreign/tourist/expat friendly than rural areas. And as another rule of thumb, women of any country are far more tolerant of foreigners than men are.
Now Korea is different, they don't pretend or hide or fake it, they'll cuss you out if you upset them. They'll give you bad customer service, and they'll tell you how they really feel.
At the end of the day, both countries are still amazing to visit and live in. But if you're a foreigner, there will be times where you will be reminded of it.
In winter, both Japan and South Korea have many incoming foreign tourists, they are popular holiday destinations in Asia.
If you can read Asian internet forum in asian languages, you can find many racists posts and other negative opinions about different behaviors, foreigners' or immigrants' looks and skin color, with derogatory terms commonly used. Such discussion are not allowed or frown upon in western countries with ethnic diversity.
Xenophobia is very strong in many asian countries. There is discrimination against people from other parts of the same country in the cities too.
South Koreans are more direct than Japanese and most westerners when expressing dissatisfaction.
Japanese women are less direct and feminine than Koreans and Chinese.
When Asians hate foreigners, means both westerners and other asians are included. Other Asians with the same skin color are also hated. Foreign relations between neighboring asian countries are mostly not good as in Europe and the Americas.
In general, those that work in the tourism industry are polite, and they may speak fluent English, Japanese or Chinese. You may need luck with other types of people in the country.
Hey, all I want is for them to be polite to me and I plan to be polite to them. They can talk all they want to about me, just treat me politely.
It should still be pretty cold in Korea in March, we'll see!
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