Hi everyone !
This article is a little bit different from the other ones, don't be surprised. One of the beauty of living in another country is discovering all the differences we have between our cultures, thinkings, wants, and point of views.
I decided to interview some of my Korean friends to know what they thought about us Foreigners. I choose random questions that were interesting for me but in the futur, if you guys would like to know something else, feel free to leave a comment and ask :).
Please bear in mind that these korean's people answers are 100% THEIR opinions. Opinions they based on the few foreigners they met (which is only 0.00000...1% compared to the rest of the world). Everyone is different, everyone has different opinions, so please do not get offended if you read something harsh.
So here we go !
This article is a little bit different from the other ones, don't be surprised. One of the beauty of living in another country is discovering all the differences we have between our cultures, thinkings, wants, and point of views.
I decided to interview some of my Korean friends to know what they thought about us Foreigners. I choose random questions that were interesting for me but in the futur, if you guys would like to know something else, feel free to leave a comment and ask :).
Please bear in mind that these korean's people answers are 100% THEIR opinions. Opinions they based on the few foreigners they met (which is only 0.00000...1% compared to the rest of the world). Everyone is different, everyone has different opinions, so please do not get offended if you read something harsh.
So here we go !
-Before you had foreigner friends, what was your opinion about them ?
"Foreigners didn’t scare me but I was surprised to meet them (on the street or cafes, etc...) because I only met korean people. Foreigners have different colors and appearance so they surprised me. But they were not scary."
"I wanted to know them. But I didn't have many chances to meet them."
"The first time I met one, I was shy because I couldn't speak English. "
"Just curious because I never met one and I didn't know how to speak their language. I didn't know how to approach them but I was very curious. I wanted to talk to them. Meeting foreigners was an experience for me because knowing only Korean would be like knowing 1 000 000 people but knowing foreigners would be like knowing 6 million people."
"They have good body balance (like small faces, long legs, etc...) so most of them have good fashion."
-Who is the first foreigner you met and what was your first impression about her/him ?
"Chinese people. Noisy. Dangerous, because in my hometown there was a lot of crime involving chinese people (fights, stealing). "
"An American teacher in my middle school. Even if we couldn't communicate well, he was so fun. "
"The first for foreigners I met were three travelers who asked me directions. I just said : go while showing the good direction, ah ha ha. But the first foreigner I really talked to was Malaysian. She was so kind because she spoke Korean with me."
"In my middle school, my English teacher was American. He was funny but that first meeting was not that interesting for me because it was just a teacher/student relationship. "
"It was a Malaysian woman. She was not pretentious so I really liked it. I was really curious about her, the food in her country, how they deal with sex and everything. "
-What culture shock did you have ?
"When greeting older people, foreigners just say : Hi (a/n : whereas Korean people use 존댓말). And when I learned that you were living with a guy, I was a little bit shocked. (a/n : yes, I am woman)."
"Sharing the bedroom with women roomates (n/a : in a guesthouse or a flat). Foreigners look very mature but their age is actually young, so it's surprising for me. "
"I didn't have huge culture shock but their way of thinking is different. For example, they are more open-minded about sex, they can have an open-relationship with their partner and it's okay."
"When I went to Hong Kong, my friend and I slept in a guest room with girls. It was really strange for me. And they didn't wear any clothes, I mean they just wore panties and see through tee shirt so we could see their bras. It was really shocking for me. And then, after shower, they only wore big towels around their bodies. Also, foreigners don't care about age. We need to use special speech according to the age so it's hard to get close to each other. But foreigners don't need, so it's a little bit strange for me."
"The famous Brazilian waxing kkkk, because my Malaysian friend used to do it. House Parties were also a culture shock because in Korea, usually, we don't drink or party in our home as we live with our parents for a long time."
-Did you change after getting foreigner friends ?
"No."
"Yes, a lot. My thinking used to be very "typical" Korean (for example : I used to think that I had to study very hard and get a job, then get married and start a family and that's it. I couldn't think about other things). But after I met you guys and other foreigners, I could think like : oh, I can do that or this as well. And I came to hate army because foreigner people don't have to go, but me... I have no choice."
"Now I want to experience having a foreigner girlfriend kkkk. I also want to learn other languages because it's easier to learn languages with friends than with a teacher."
"Not that much."
"Yes. I really love Brazilian waxing now, kkkkkk. More seriously, I am also more positive about life and more romantic. "
-Would you like to have a foreigner girlfriend or boyfriend ?
"I want. There is no reason why, I just want a girlfriend."
"Yes, why not. I mean, race is not important. As long as the girl is really kind and open minded, she is fine."
"Yes ! Because I am curious about the way foreigner girls think about Korean guys."
"I have already."
"Yeah, if I have the chance."
-Could you marry a foreigner ?
"I don't care, yeah."
"Yeah, I can."
"If our minds are similar or if our thinking are the same, then I can marry with a foreigner. "
"Of course."
"I don't care."
-Did you have a bad experience with a foreigner ?
"Not yet."
"Yes, I did. I didn't experience it from women but sometimes guys, when I worked in hostel, I could feel there were looking down on me. And I've also heard many cases of racism against Asian."
"Not yet !"
"No, never."
"In Australia, I got slapped by an Australian guy because I didn't give him cigarettes. And there was a lot of racism there. Also in Philippines, a lot of foreigner grandpas go out with Pilipino young ladies, one or two at the same time. It was shocking for me. Like they are perverts of something."
-What do you think about foreigner people, now ? (Now we are talking about general impressions based on the few people per countries they met. Please remember that these are opinions based on two or three persons. And they insisted times and times again that NOT ALL foreigners are like this of course. Just the FEW ONE they met. So please don't take those answers personally, thank you ^^).
American : "I think they are racist. They are rich."
"They look really confident."
"American soldiers are really nice but I don't know about civilians."
"Guys have big bellies. I used to think all US women were blond with blue eyes but it's not like that at all. Girls usually have big body shapes."
Canadian : "They are kind, with a big body shape."
"More kind and less racist than Americans."
"My middle school English teacher was Canadian and she was so nice."
"They are very gentlemen. Canada people are energetic and all the Canadian I met had tattoos."
French : "Annoying, noisy, complaining everyday, always wanting to fight, big boobs, no shame, and everyday angry against me."
"Most of the French I met were artists. They really like pasta. Most of them are "chubby", I mean I've never seen thin girls like Korean girls. There are also many black French people. "
"I am friend with three French people and they are warm and kind. They also know how to take care of people. "
"I don't like French people. The language sounds girly for me, especially for men but they are really fashionable. There are a lot of black people as well."
English : "I don't really like them either. They look gentlemen but I think most of them are fake and not sincere (this opinion is also based on the fact that English colonized a lot of country) Mostly arrogant."
Germany : "I like them better than english. Because they have many philosophers, they have a smart image. The country apologized for its past mistakes, which I appreciate a lot. They also had a good reaction with the Syrian refugees."
Spanish : "Kind and not shy."
"I think most of them are really fun."
"They like sex and party, kkkkk. They are similar to Mexican people. They are good at football and handsome, very manly and cool. But they are not fashionable at all."
Italian : "Now Italian people are really fashionables."
Sweden : "I think they are really tall, even women. Most of them are really nice and soft. Softer than French. Pretty, with good and healthy body."
Chinese : "They are so rude and noisy."
"I think many girls are kind of koreaboos, they want to become Korean. So most of them look like Korean girls. I don't know about guys. They spit a lot I think, kkkk. "
"Very noisy."
"So noisy. They are also bossy."
Japanese : "They hide their mind."
"I've only met woman and compared to Korean women they are really kind. I can feel they are more family oriented. And way more open minded than Korean. "
"They are kind."
"I like them. Because of their culture, we can learn a lot of good things from them."
Malaysian : "All the Malaysians I've met are all very kind and nice. "
"They are not shy, for example they are the first one to start the conversation. They are kind."
"They are language geniuses. The culture is very diverse."
Singapore : "Also very nice. They all look cute."
Taiwanese : "I feel Taiwan is like home. For me, people are similar with Koreans but way better because they are more kind and open minded."
Thailand : "Thai guys are very nice to Thai women. They follow the bro code, kkkk. South East asian people are very united with each other."
Other : "For me, every foreigner is the same."
-Do you think there are more and more foreigners in Korea ? Do you think it’s a good thing or a bad thing ?
"Yes. It's a good thing."
"For me, it's fine. Actually, I don't really care about other Korean people and what they think kkkk. So if I can meet many foreigners, it's fine by me."
"Yes, and I think it's good because the fact that there are many foreigners in Korea means it's a developed country."
"Yes, it's a good thing. Because Korean people are close-minded. They need to open their mind. They need to talk with foreigners, they have to know the whole world. Then, they will develop."
"It's a good thing because Koreans can become more open minded. They have to expend their mind and learn about foreigner culture."
-What do you think about those foreigners who are crazy about KPOP ? (we are talking about an unhealthy level of crazyness here).
"I just think they are crazy."
"At first, it was really, really weird and disgusting. Now it's just... normal I guess."
"I don't care."
"It's not bad and not good. So many years ago people didn't know about Korea but now because of KPOP, they can know our country. But of course they should want to know more about Korea, not only the KPOP side."
"I hate it because they don't have swag. They don't have their own personality. It's more attractive to meet a foreigner who respect and like her own culture AND like KPOP as well."
-Before you had foreigner friends, what was your opinion about them ?
"Foreigners didn’t scare me but I was surprised to meet them (on the street or cafes, etc...) because I only met korean people. Foreigners have different colors and appearance so they surprised me. But they were not scary."
"I wanted to know them. But I didn't have many chances to meet them."
"The first time I met one, I was shy because I couldn't speak English. "
"Just curious because I never met one and I didn't know how to speak their language. I didn't know how to approach them but I was very curious. I wanted to talk to them. Meeting foreigners was an experience for me because knowing only Korean would be like knowing 1 000 000 people but knowing foreigners would be like knowing 6 million people."
"They have good body balance (like small faces, long legs, etc...) so most of them have good fashion."
-Who is the first foreigner you met and what was your first impression about her/him ?
"Chinese people. Noisy. Dangerous, because in my hometown there was a lot of crime involving chinese people (fights, stealing). "
"An American teacher in my middle school. Even if we couldn't communicate well, he was so fun. "
"The first for foreigners I met were three travelers who asked me directions. I just said : go while showing the good direction, ah ha ha. But the first foreigner I really talked to was Malaysian. She was so kind because she spoke Korean with me."
"In my middle school, my English teacher was American. He was funny but that first meeting was not that interesting for me because it was just a teacher/student relationship. "
"It was a Malaysian woman. She was not pretentious so I really liked it. I was really curious about her, the food in her country, how they deal with sex and everything. "
-What culture shock did you have ?
"When greeting older people, foreigners just say : Hi (a/n : whereas Korean people use 존댓말). And when I learned that you were living with a guy, I was a little bit shocked. (a/n : yes, I am woman)."
"Sharing the bedroom with women roomates (n/a : in a guesthouse or a flat). Foreigners look very mature but their age is actually young, so it's surprising for me. "
"I didn't have huge culture shock but their way of thinking is different. For example, they are more open-minded about sex, they can have an open-relationship with their partner and it's okay."
"When I went to Hong Kong, my friend and I slept in a guest room with girls. It was really strange for me. And they didn't wear any clothes, I mean they just wore panties and see through tee shirt so we could see their bras. It was really shocking for me. And then, after shower, they only wore big towels around their bodies. Also, foreigners don't care about age. We need to use special speech according to the age so it's hard to get close to each other. But foreigners don't need, so it's a little bit strange for me."
"The famous Brazilian waxing kkkk, because my Malaysian friend used to do it. House Parties were also a culture shock because in Korea, usually, we don't drink or party in our home as we live with our parents for a long time."
-Did you change after getting foreigner friends ?
"No."
"Yes, a lot. My thinking used to be very "typical" Korean (for example : I used to think that I had to study very hard and get a job, then get married and start a family and that's it. I couldn't think about other things). But after I met you guys and other foreigners, I could think like : oh, I can do that or this as well. And I came to hate army because foreigner people don't have to go, but me... I have no choice."
"Now I want to experience having a foreigner girlfriend kkkk. I also want to learn other languages because it's easier to learn languages with friends than with a teacher."
"Not that much."
"Yes. I really love Brazilian waxing now, kkkkkk. More seriously, I am also more positive about life and more romantic. "
-Would you like to have a foreigner girlfriend or boyfriend ?
"I want. There is no reason why, I just want a girlfriend."
"Yes, why not. I mean, race is not important. As long as the girl is really kind and open minded, she is fine."
"Yes ! Because I am curious about the way foreigner girls think about Korean guys."
"I have already."
"Yeah, if I have the chance."
-Could you marry a foreigner ?
"I don't care, yeah."
"Yeah, I can."
"If our minds are similar or if our thinking are the same, then I can marry with a foreigner. "
"Of course."
"I don't care."
-Did you have a bad experience with a foreigner ?
"Not yet."
"Yes, I did. I didn't experience it from women but sometimes guys, when I worked in hostel, I could feel there were looking down on me. And I've also heard many cases of racism against Asian."
"Not yet !"
"No, never."
"In Australia, I got slapped by an Australian guy because I didn't give him cigarettes. And there was a lot of racism there. Also in Philippines, a lot of foreigner grandpas go out with Pilipino young ladies, one or two at the same time. It was shocking for me. Like they are perverts of something."
-What do you think about foreigner people, now ? (Now we are talking about general impressions based on the few people per countries they met. Please remember that these are opinions based on two or three persons. And they insisted times and times again that NOT ALL foreigners are like this of course. Just the FEW ONE they met. So please don't take those answers personally, thank you ^^).
American : "I think they are racist. They are rich."
"They look really confident."
"American soldiers are really nice but I don't know about civilians."
"Guys have big bellies. I used to think all US women were blond with blue eyes but it's not like that at all. Girls usually have big body shapes."
Canadian : "They are kind, with a big body shape."
"More kind and less racist than Americans."
"My middle school English teacher was Canadian and she was so nice."
"They are very gentlemen. Canada people are energetic and all the Canadian I met had tattoos."
French : "Annoying, noisy, complaining everyday, always wanting to fight, big boobs, no shame, and everyday angry against me."
"Most of the French I met were artists. They really like pasta. Most of them are "chubby", I mean I've never seen thin girls like Korean girls. There are also many black French people. "
"I am friend with three French people and they are warm and kind. They also know how to take care of people. "
"I don't like French people. The language sounds girly for me, especially for men but they are really fashionable. There are a lot of black people as well."
English : "I don't really like them either. They look gentlemen but I think most of them are fake and not sincere (this opinion is also based on the fact that English colonized a lot of country) Mostly arrogant."
Germany : "I like them better than english. Because they have many philosophers, they have a smart image. The country apologized for its past mistakes, which I appreciate a lot. They also had a good reaction with the Syrian refugees."
Spanish : "Kind and not shy."
"I think most of them are really fun."
"They like sex and party, kkkkk. They are similar to Mexican people. They are good at football and handsome, very manly and cool. But they are not fashionable at all."
Italian : "Now Italian people are really fashionables."
Sweden : "I think they are really tall, even women. Most of them are really nice and soft. Softer than French. Pretty, with good and healthy body."
Chinese : "They are so rude and noisy."
"I think many girls are kind of koreaboos, they want to become Korean. So most of them look like Korean girls. I don't know about guys. They spit a lot I think, kkkk. "
"Very noisy."
"So noisy. They are also bossy."
Japanese : "They hide their mind."
"I've only met woman and compared to Korean women they are really kind. I can feel they are more family oriented. And way more open minded than Korean. "
"They are kind."
"I like them. Because of their culture, we can learn a lot of good things from them."
Malaysian : "All the Malaysians I've met are all very kind and nice. "
"They are not shy, for example they are the first one to start the conversation. They are kind."
"They are language geniuses. The culture is very diverse."
Singapore : "Also very nice. They all look cute."
Taiwanese : "I feel Taiwan is like home. For me, people are similar with Koreans but way better because they are more kind and open minded."
Thailand : "Thai guys are very nice to Thai women. They follow the bro code, kkkk. South East asian people are very united with each other."
Other : "For me, every foreigner is the same."
-Do you think there are more and more foreigners in Korea ? Do you think it’s a good thing or a bad thing ?
"Yes. It's a good thing."
"For me, it's fine. Actually, I don't really care about other Korean people and what they think kkkk. So if I can meet many foreigners, it's fine by me."
"Yes, and I think it's good because the fact that there are many foreigners in Korea means it's a developed country."
"Yes, it's a good thing. Because Korean people are close-minded. They need to open their mind. They need to talk with foreigners, they have to know the whole world. Then, they will develop."
"It's a good thing because Koreans can become more open minded. They have to expend their mind and learn about foreigner culture."
-What do you think about those foreigners who are crazy about KPOP ? (we are talking about an unhealthy level of crazyness here).
"I just think they are crazy."
"At first, it was really, really weird and disgusting. Now it's just... normal I guess."
"I don't care."
"It's not bad and not good. So many years ago people didn't know about Korea but now because of KPOP, they can know our country. But of course they should want to know more about Korea, not only the KPOP side."
"I hate it because they don't have swag. They don't have their own personality. It's more attractive to meet a foreigner who respect and like her own culture AND like KPOP as well."
Bonus kinky question : What’s your opinion about Foreigner and Sex ? (this question is kind of awkward, I didn’t know how to phrase it).
"Everyone is the same. But it’s true that with foreigners, I can talk more openly about sex."
"I think I have to separate French, Other foreigners, and Korean. Okay, for me girls are basically the same, meaning they can have one night stands if they want to. The only difference is that Korean hide it and I guess foreigners don't. It's also way easier to talk about sex with foreigner men and women. With Korean women it's not like this, you have to be less direct. About French... when I see them, not all of them but most of them, they are very honest about their feelings, fantasy, sex life, etc."
"I don't think Korean girls and foreigners girls are that different. Some girls can do one night stands, some can't, it's the same for every country. Some Korean girls are really shy about sex and don't "participate" a lot during intercourse but some foreigner girls must be the same."
"It's 100% my opinion, but I think foreigner people think sex is part of love. For example, if they have good and healthy sex in a couple, it means the couple is good and healthy. But Korean woman think they give their bodies (n/a : kinda as if it was a prize for the boyfriend). They think that it's their bodies so they cannot give it to anyone. Also Korean women don't like to talk about sex, not with Korean men. But foreigners talk easily about sex, joke about it and everything."
"I think foreigners and Koreans have a different thinking about sex. I think ALL men wants sex when they drink a lot but foreigners are more aggressive about it for me. It sometimes feels like they are harassing girls because they are so aggressive when flirting and approaching them. Korean guys are more delicate about it and really judge the atmosphere and the girls feelings to see if they can have sex with her or not.
Also, it's easier for me to have sex with American girls than Korean girls.
There are many differences between having sex with foreigners and sex with Koreans. US women for example are more powerful and energetic. It's like a competition between the two of us. They are active. Korean girls are more shy, they don't act a lot. I think, they think if they show too many reactions, it's not a good thing."
And did you notice any difference between having a foreigner and a Korean girlfriend/boyfriend ?
"You don't have to keep in touch with a foreigner girlfriend but with a Korean one, you have to call her everyday day. Most of Korean people are very jealous, me included. But for foreigners it really depends on the person."
"Foreigner girlfriend never ask what I am doing now or what I am going to do. I feel that they respect my privacy even if they really like me. "
"I didn't have the occasion to have a foreigner girlfriend so I cannot really answer."
"I think USUALLY (not all of them), Korean girls don't want to understand their boyfriend's opinion. Like if I go drink with my friends and she doesn’t like it, then she won't try to understand that I need some time with my friends. She will just not like it. But foreigners are more easy-going. Then of course, every girl is different, it's really case by case."
"Everyone is the same. But it’s true that with foreigners, I can talk more openly about sex."
"I think I have to separate French, Other foreigners, and Korean. Okay, for me girls are basically the same, meaning they can have one night stands if they want to. The only difference is that Korean hide it and I guess foreigners don't. It's also way easier to talk about sex with foreigner men and women. With Korean women it's not like this, you have to be less direct. About French... when I see them, not all of them but most of them, they are very honest about their feelings, fantasy, sex life, etc."
"I don't think Korean girls and foreigners girls are that different. Some girls can do one night stands, some can't, it's the same for every country. Some Korean girls are really shy about sex and don't "participate" a lot during intercourse but some foreigner girls must be the same."
"It's 100% my opinion, but I think foreigner people think sex is part of love. For example, if they have good and healthy sex in a couple, it means the couple is good and healthy. But Korean woman think they give their bodies (n/a : kinda as if it was a prize for the boyfriend). They think that it's their bodies so they cannot give it to anyone. Also Korean women don't like to talk about sex, not with Korean men. But foreigners talk easily about sex, joke about it and everything."
"I think foreigners and Koreans have a different thinking about sex. I think ALL men wants sex when they drink a lot but foreigners are more aggressive about it for me. It sometimes feels like they are harassing girls because they are so aggressive when flirting and approaching them. Korean guys are more delicate about it and really judge the atmosphere and the girls feelings to see if they can have sex with her or not.
Also, it's easier for me to have sex with American girls than Korean girls.
There are many differences between having sex with foreigners and sex with Koreans. US women for example are more powerful and energetic. It's like a competition between the two of us. They are active. Korean girls are more shy, they don't act a lot. I think, they think if they show too many reactions, it's not a good thing."
And did you notice any difference between having a foreigner and a Korean girlfriend/boyfriend ?
"You don't have to keep in touch with a foreigner girlfriend but with a Korean one, you have to call her everyday day. Most of Korean people are very jealous, me included. But for foreigners it really depends on the person."
"Foreigner girlfriend never ask what I am doing now or what I am going to do. I feel that they respect my privacy even if they really like me. "
"I didn't have the occasion to have a foreigner girlfriend so I cannot really answer."
"I think USUALLY (not all of them), Korean girls don't want to understand their boyfriend's opinion. Like if I go drink with my friends and she doesn’t like it, then she won't try to understand that I need some time with my friends. She will just not like it. But foreigners are more easy-going. Then of course, every girl is different, it's really case by case."
Aaaaand that's it ! I hope you guys enjoyed this interview, I had a lot of fun interviewing those friends ^^. As I said before, if you have any questions or things you are curious about, feel free to ask in the comment below ! We will do our best to answer as fast as possible ! :).
Have a nice day !
Have a nice day !