for context im korean but grew up outside of korea for almost my entire life. my post is more of a rant.
ive been in korea for the last month to meet up with my parents and to visit relatives. i do this once or twice a year. i’m flying back to the US this week and i hate to say this, but i’m glad that i dont live here.
- why are the locals hella rude? people shoving in subways, stairways, and escalators like they’re running away from something. age doesnt even matter, ive seen this from young to old. i find that some people have zero sense of direction and bump into you, then either make a face, a comment, or swear at you like it’s YOUR problem when they were the one not looking straight ahead while walking.
- no one ever says thank you when you open the door for them. this might not be a big deal for some but ive gotten so used to people waiting for you and leave the door open in the US that i find this rude when people dont say anything here.
- the racism against foreigners/poc. i dont understand why people are so xenophobic here? i also see constant posts on here where people are treated a certain way or charged money to enter a club or something bc of their skin color. i find this not only embarrassing, but i am also frustrated for these people.
- doctors who talk down to you and those who get frustrated bc you need another explanation or bc they dont want to spend too much time with you, or bc they cant get their job done quickly enough. i know this is a thing in the US as well, but this is another level. i recently went to a dermatologist who was apparently a 명의 (or famous doc) but treated patients like absolute shit. he lost his patience with me at my last visit bc his staff didnt numb this one spot on my face very well and he got mad at me for squirming when he blasted the laser on my face. dude, seriously?
- the amount of materialism here disgusts me. too bad the culture allows for it. the constant popup shops may not be a bother to some, but i just find it hilarious that people line up for hours just to post pictures on instagram that they were at some luxury popup as if being around these events puts them in the 1%.
- the beauty standards here. dont even get me started.
there’s more i could say but i’ll stop here. i dont think i could ever call korea my home.
if you got to the end of this – whether you’re korean or a foreigner living and working in korea, how do you do it? are there things youve seen here that bother you, but choose to overlook?
submitted by /u/snackcat24
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