I Have to Use Korean in This Country

Korean language fluency is not very useful in North America. For many years, I have been learning this language and considered it as the only means of communication ever since my birth. However, in North America, this means of communication was quite useless unless I always look for Koreans and a Korean community. I’m not sure how accepted Korean is around the world nowadays because of the K-Wave. I would personally say investing more time on my Korean is quite unworthy.

It Is Hard to Maintain My English Fluency

It is hard to maintain my English fluency, which took me a long time and immense effort. Plus, lots of Koreans admire the English language. But when I accidentally let an English word out just because I couldn’t quickly think of a corresponding Korean word, they do not understand and express their irritation or frustration to me assuming that I’m boasting. Also, there are words used in Korea that are inspired from English–I’m not sure if I should consider those words ‘Konglish.’ However, those words are mistakenly took as English words.

Motorcycles and Sports Cars Are Too Loud

Motorcycles with modification on mufflers are seen a lot. They’re really loud, and the riders simply do not care about how they cause harm to others. Obnoxious sports cars pass by residential areas at 3 A.M., and they do not seem to be aware of how they are being disrespectful or harmful to residents or people asleep in the area.

Korean Drivers Are Very Rough and Pedestrians Are Not Respected

Korean drivers drive violently and do not seem to yield at all. Two lanes seemed to be allowed for a left-turn at a three-way T-shaped intersection I know of, and drivers on the inner lane blocked way to prevent the cars from joining from the outer lane. In the process, they blew their horns and even made pedestrians around them feel unpleasant. When crossing a street on a crosswalk, at a four-way junction for example, they do not hold on to their brake pedals and hastily creep in to me although I have not finished crossing the road. Even on sidewalks and at parks, cars, mopeds and such threaten pedestrians. Especially Korean kids are let loose freely at parks and sidewalks winding around on their bikes. It’s pretty chaotic. When those bicycles are parked, they take up large space of the sidewalk, especially in front of hagwon buildings.

Koreans Tend to Occupy the Whole Sidewalk When Walking in a Group

When Koreans walk as a group, they tend to occupy the whole sidewalk walking in a row, side by side. This is regardless of their age group or gender. They walk pretty darn slow too and do not care about those behind them or those coming from the opposite direction.

Koreans Do Not Stay on One Side of a Passage When Walking

Even when they walk alone, they do not use only one side of the passage. That is to say they are inconsiderate toward others and unorderly.

Cigarette Smokers and Those Who Spit on the Ground Make Me Not Want to Breathe

Cigarette smokers and those who spit on the ground are pretty common. We also have those who smoke while they walk, exposing others who walk behind them to second-hand smoke. When I pass by those people, I feel quite dirty and uncomfortable and do not want to breathe freely.

Koreans Do Not Apologize and It Is Considered My Fault When I Apologize First

In the subway or in front of a crosswalk, I was stabbed by middle-aged Korean elbows, and they were quite unpleasant and startling experiences. What was more "startling" was that they just act like nothing happened, let alone apologizing. I have this habit of apologizing first when I bump someone by mistake, but the other will say nothing and it is automatically taken as admitting that it’s my fault. Koreans do not feel sorry at all about elbowing or bumping someone in a public place.

Common Perception of Academics and Research Is Poor

Koreans bet their whole lives on getting into a prestigious college through abnormal and barbaric competition in high school. And this is mostly what they know about studies and education. After their college admissions, some of them slack even to the point they’re put on academic probation, and some of them manage their GPAs only for future employment in mind. I’m not sure how many are actually wholehearted about the areas of studies they’re majoring in. I’ve seen an occasion in which graduate school is used as a shelter to avoid facing the frontline of employment. Also, I heard some university professors harass graduate students with trivial personal tasks that are supposed to be done by themselves. Research and development in the field of science and engineering greatly relates to the country’s national benefits and its power, but the treatment for those in the field is too humble.

Standards and Awareness Level on Academic Integrity and Plagiarism Are Lower

It is not taken seriously to plagiarize someone else’s thoughts or information. One’s original thoughts or ideas as well as adequate work to support such ideas may not be protected. I even heard that work of a powerless graduate student can be taken by the professor.

MDs Are Armed With Their Sense of Elitism

At a medical clinic, doctors seem to implicitly have this sense of elitism when they are to heal and care for human beings from a humanitarian perspective. Unnecessary additional emotional damage can occur to patients who are already wounded. Elitism or a sense of superiority can be implicitly hidden, but it tends to slightly reveal from the doctor’s attitude, words or subtle nuances.

Age Discrimination Exists for a Job Seeker and Certain Times to Achieve Certain Things Are Set

Certain things to achieve are set for a certain age range, and if one has fallen behind or does not fit in with such standards, he/she is looked down upon or considered a failure. Besides the 12 years of mandatory education from 1st grade to 12th grade, college enrollment or graduation, marriage, military service, and job search need to be done at certain ages set by the society. Those who failed to do so feel a lot of pressure.

Physical Distance between People is Too Close

I feel awkward and choked when someone enters my personal space.

Koreans Are Unconcerned about Doing Harm to Others

I think one of the really elementary rules in life is to not trouble others, but lots of Koreans are insensitive about causing harm to others.

Koreans Are Nosy

Koreans are not very aware of how they should distinguish their own personal business from others’. They tend to criticize others’ life plans and make unwanted comments about them crossing a line. They show their skepticism even when it’s not asked for. They even underestimate and mock others.

Koreans Make Rude Comments and Ask Lots of Questions That Are Too Personal

In other words, they are incredibly rude. They even do this to someone they just met for the first time. Now I dislike meeting new people.

Small Talks Are Considered Weird among Strangers

Even topics like weather is not conversed among strangers. After smartphones are well-spread, they take this selfish attitude, looking at their phones and not concerning others, in public places.

Having a Hard Time Eating Spicy Food Is Immature

Eating spicy food may be easier for some and may not be easier for some others. However, in Korea, not being able to eat spicy food well is a sign of a "baby" or immaturity.

Materialistic Values Are Too Important When Forming a Relationship

Koreans apply very materialistic values when it comes to dating, marriage, or friendship. They pursue shallow values and are tainted with selfishness, materialism, comparing themselves with others, and being overly self-conscious. They shamelessly calculate within themselves how they can benefit from the other considering the other’s education, wealth, appearance, and job. I don’t think it’s a true friendship.

Koreans Apply This Word ‘Specifications’ to a Person

From a certain point of time around 2008, the term ‘spec’ as in specifications became really popular among young people. It’s about obtaining certificates, licenses, getting a high score on an exam, or any extended form of self-improvement. It bothers me when people use it without any hesitation. ‘Specifications’ is a word to describe a machine’s capabilities.

Over 100-200 People Come for Anything that Has a Scarcity Value

Whether it may be a job, any form of opportunity, or a spot at a popular vacation destination, probably due to Korea’s population density, 100-200 people come for one spot. One has to run for it as immediately as possible to secure the spot.

Anything is Graded and Listed by Rank

Koreans are so used to grading and ranking anything, and they’re so used to doing it that they do not feel uncomfortable with doing so.

Stores on Streets Play Really Loud Music

A mobile phone store, an electronics store, or a clothing shop on streets play really loud music with their speakers. Many seem to not know what is wrong here.

Hope for Future Improvement Is Not Seen from Children or Education

Children and teenagers are not so different, and they seem to grow up absorbing the current negative traits of Korea. Thus, it is not likely that these issues will be fixed in the future.

People Tend to React Emotionally instead of Trying to Be Rational

When a mere individual writes a post like this, many first get angry and react in a rude way.