Welcome back, Scott! Wondered where you were! Our gallery crashed, and some of your photos, and mine, went with it! But we will hopefully get it going again when the spirit moves the admin folks.

Yes, people like to look at other people. Strange phenomena? No. Guess I'd call it human nature. Should we do it discreetly? It depends on the customs of the particular society. Animals often feel threatened when you make eye contact. It can meen life or death in a wolf pack. I always try to be discreet, but my wife still gets really upset if I turn my head even slightly...
Glad we're not wolves.

Too bad about the gallery--I sometimes went there to look at pictures of...Namsan.

Wow, I missed this thread.. must have been during the time I was away..

Probably a good thing,though, I would have had a few choice words for our Mr. Biff.

Annyway, I think that as Americans in a host country, we do have to be aware not only of cultural differences, but also that people, regardless of nationality..are people. Just as in the states, you're going to find some very nice, hospitable, polite folks,and some that are just downright not nice..you'll find that in Korea, as well. Some of the Koreans we've encountered have been awesome, others..ehh..not so much so.

I also think a lot of how people react to folks (and Kris, I'm not saying the reaction you got is your fault at all, please let me state that right up front, I know you personally, I know how you react to people,and you're not the rude type in any way shape form or fashion) ..is based upon how they treat those folks. As my Grandmother , bless her soul, used to say.."you get more flies with honey than vinegar". :) I've seen some behavior out of some of our Airmen here at Osan, especially drunks coming through the gate at curfew, that, in my opinion, *should* warrant a rude reaction, and a lot stronger one than they were given.

On the flip side of that, we were going through the main gate one morning, and a Korean literally pushed my son to the ground in his haste to get past him. An alert crew of gate guards actually stopped the man and told him in no uncertain terms that such behavior was unacceptable.

I've also seen random acts of kindness by host nation folks and foreigners alike.

Rudeness isn't limited to any one culture, unfortunately, it's a plague on all our houses :)

Dee :)

I had a rude encounter during the friendship festival no less. My family and I were standing watching the parade and people were throwing candy. My kids were picking up some and this 50-60 year old Korean lady got out of the parade and SHOVED my 4 year old muttering something (all I understood was "agie" since thats a word I know). I was appalled!! She acted like she'd never seen candy before.

I saw her later sitting at one of the tables set up eating something messy in her nice suit, I had half a mind to bump her (muhahahhahah), but I of course would never do that.

The Philippines is a filthy third world country...We expect them to be rude!

How do you spit while your eating and what is popping your gums?

You seem like your rambling, you mentioned line cutters 3 times, chewing and talking twice.

Philippines is a 3rd world country, I dont think you should be complaining about chewing with your mouth open.

M&M hasn't been around lately. She is back in the PI, I believe. She meant popping chewing gum, and spitting out food at the table. It happens in all countries, but usually not at the more expensive restaurants.

I've never been to korea but, .People are nasty and rude worldwide. Its just the way it is. I've read a little bit about korea. I know that they don't wash their hands after returing to a food job.Then again most US workers probably don't either.
My uncle use to blow his nose after dinner ,while setting at the table. Thats disgusting and rude.ugggh
Everyone will run into someone rude or dirty in their life time.It might be more often in other country's.We should do a survery.lol

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=2859060

This may be rude to you...but remember different country's have different things that are rude.

In the states it's rude to walk between two people that are talking...in Korea they will make you walk in between them because it's rude to have someone walk behind you. Just because you think its rude doesn't mean it rude for everyone.

I will tell you why Koreans are perceived as rude by foreigners. I believe it has everything to do with education in Korea. Koreans are constantly taguht to be No.1 in everything they do from elementary level. Koreans are taught or at least led to believe that being No.2 is meaningless and even disgraceful. This wrong notion nailed into Koreans' heads and minds for so long, it becomes natural for Koreans to feel anxious when they are behind whether in line or on the road. This No.1 is the best belief also evolved into "Ppali Ppali=quickly, quickly" behavior in Korea. I personally don't mind people trying to be the best in whatever they do, but it does become my problem when they harm me to achieve their goals.
Most likely, people put too much focus on being the best neglecting the the importance of getting the result without hurting other people along the way.