Very interesting. I was reading the Korean Herald and they had this in one of their stories:

I thought only Americans committed crimes in South Korea?

Mike

lol, the korean media has it in for us. there going through what we went through in the 60's. just a bunch hippies that they think its in vogue to hate americans. i was mad when i got refused service at the yongsan electronic market for being an american soldier.

This is actually a non-typical experience. You may have a more pleasant experience if you can attempt to mimic the Korean style of dress and quiet, polite behavior.
Even with your short haircut, you should blend in with other customers, and enjoy your visit. Those folks are there to run a business, and it is difficult for me to believe that you would be refused service. Try again soon, being careful not to offend in your dress or behavior, and I'm sure it won't happen again. I spend a good bit of time in the electronics market, and I have never had any problems, other than the language barrier, which is often difficult to overcome, but not impossible. ( I must admit that I have seen some "Racism" regarding businesses in other parts of town, but you have to remember that they have no laws prohibiting that, and they may refuse to serve anyone.)

I have travelled extensivly throughout South Korea and I have found the further away you get from a U.S. base/post the more friendly the south Koreans are. You have to admit there are a few soldiers/airmen that go out into public and act like absolute IDIOTS! If you make an effort to be polite and friendly you they will reciprocate.

Overall, Koreans are VERY friendly. I have been to 15 countries and I would say Koreans are in the top 3 of friendliest people. Yes, I see almost every weekend Americans acting like idiots in Songtan.

Mike

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Oh yeah, I absolutely refuse to go near any bases that do not belong to USAF in Korea!

"This is actually a non-typical experience. You may have a more pleasant experience if you can attempt to mimic the Korean style of dress and quiet, polite behavior. "

And your location is Seoul?! Most likely you're living in Youngsan. I've seen signs posted outside your clubs saying "NO SOILDERS ALLOWED" in nice, big, bold, lettering. Here's what I do, I go to places that dislike US military only when I need a hair cut, and I hide my military ID/restricted area badge, showing only my Virginia license when asked. The Seoul area isn't so bad, but even so, their is a reason why you all are getting kicked out of that area (moving farther south by the year 2010), am I right?

I travel all over Korea by myself. I have never had any problems with Korean people and at times found them very helpful. However, I have had problems with people who are here from other countries, particularly European and I try to avoid GI's as they act like idiots and sometimes drunk. They only part of Korea they know is the GI villes and when they travel they just go to another ville.

Wow, what an incredibly myopic viewpoint. You managed to single out two distinct socioeconomic groups in one rant. I have been here for three years and have seen GIs doing extensive travels and actually conducting themselves quite well. Granted some do act like Idiots, but so do normal "American" tourists. Too bad you are so tunneled vision on your views of GIs, but then again the old saying goes never judge a man until you have walked a mile in their shoes.

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Koreans businesses have more freedom than the U.S. businesses do in this respect-they MAY discriminate against people who are unwanted for a good reason. Personally, I like that idea.
Yes, there is at least one posting "No Soldiers". There is one which bans Nigerians. Some Nigerians congregated there, became drunk and loud and drove away the regular customers. Another sad case of a few bad apples giving all the others a bad name. Some Nigerians are into selling and using stolen credit cards. Others are apparently nice folk who ask you to join their church. I am not sure why they are here; perhaps import & export?
Barbershops up here are OFF LIMITS due to poor sanitation. Everybody uses the same comb.
The reason Yongsan Army Garrison is planning a move, (figure at least 4 years), is purely economic. This is PRIME real estate in the center of the city. The most valuable land in the entire country! It is leased to us. The city needs to expand, and we agreed to lease a similar area near Pyongtaek (Camp Humphreys area). When you return in 10 years Yongsan will be the Dragon Hotel, the new U.S. Embassy, and high rise apartments.
After the Korean Government finds a way to purchase the farmland from the poor farmers being displaced down south, we, (the U.S.) will probably have something like THE largest most modern military facility in the Far East.
Possibly self contained, like Vatican City. Maybe like Fort Hood without the korean restaurants? Who knows. But I'm very worried about parking! Think about traffic in 5 years! Arggh!