At home i don't have much contact with "foreigners" on a grand scale as much as I do in Korea. Here, I am a foreigner. So with that comes experience viewing a new world outside of history books and internet pictures. The people of Korea on a majority scale are extremely nice. They do occasionally stare but it seems to be a stare of awe and interest not in the "get the hell out of my country" attitude that others may exude elsewhere. So with that said the following is my frustration and enjoyment of what I have experienced with people who are here to teach among other things.
I have recently spent a wonderful trip with friends off the west coast of Korea on an island which is beautiful, but to most Koreans does not exist. Every Korean at my place of employment does not know where Deukjeuk do is or have even heard of it but I do and about 50 or so other foreigners, I guess for this moment that's all that matters.
The trip was a success all except one foreigner who chose to insult my friend and I as they walked past. I will not give the dialogue as it was harsh. this display of disrespect for others made me think about my time here and all the people I have met. there are three kinds of people here, the good, the bad, and the ugly. the good folks are easy to spot and easy to get along with, they are fun and will most likely remain your friend no matter what. then the bad folks who seem to think since they are from a "better" country they can do what they want, you can only imagine where these folks come from. they aren't that friendly for being in a spot lacking friendly white people. they usually go about their day not interacting with many and seem to be content waiting out there time to go home. then my friends, there are the bad, people like the ones we briefly encountered and chose to insult us instead of saying hi. I don't understand these folks, they say disrespectful things about Korea, other foreigners and pretty much anything they can think of. bad attitudes do not receive a good reception. but I suppose I could be just as bad for writing this too. unfortunately negativity rubs off on everyone. I have made some judgments and if you are offended then you probably would fit into the area of not so much fun to hang out with, and if you agree then I am happy to know there are some positive people out there.
Although my time has been short here, I must say I have met some amazing folks who have changed my perception of people. made think a little more and made feel ways I could not experience at home. No offence to my friends at home. I love all of you the same. New people who have left home to travel, get away from something, new experiences apparently change people. I hope when I return home I have changed for the better. my goal here is to remain positive no matter who I meet or in the lesser extant be insulted by.
