Are You Ugly?

I was born and raised here in Korea, and I have never lived outside Korea. So it is quite safe to say that I know Korea and my fellow Koreans very well. I cannot say that Korea is the best country in the world, but I love it and am proud of it.

However, sometimes I cannot help finding myself annoyed and mad at some… let’s call them “ugly Koreans”. Here are some examples:

1. Drunken ajossis: Some people become wild and out of control when they are drunk. Drunken ajossis stagger to and fro, left to right and try to strike up a conversation with anybody. They urinate in public places, go topless or half-naked. They even get into stupid fights with random strangers for no specific reason. I don’t want to see people vomit on the weekend or a Monday morning after another crazy drinking spree.

2. Ill-mannered smokers: It really gets under my skin when there are people smoking in public, especially when they smoke right in front of me on the street. I wish I could quarantine them on a tiny, uninhabited island where they could just inhale each other’s toxic smoke.

3. People yelling or arguing uncontrollably on the subway: I use the subway for transportation on a daily basis. While I’m on it, I see people from many walks of life. Usually they keep a somewhat low profile. But occasionally, I find some older guys arguing with each other, and in nine cases out of ten they are drunk and expressing their wrath with some four-letter words. Sometimes I think this seems hilarious, but others frown on it. These arguers need to get more sensitive to others and their surroundings.

4. “Deaf” people: Sometimes you’ll hear people talking loudly on the phone or to each other in a place where they are supposed to keep silent. I even heard a couple talking unbelievably loudly in an auditorium during an international event attended by several renowned speakers from other countries.

5. Koreans who discriminate against foreigners:  We are well-aware that some Koreans do not like Japanese or American people, for various reasons. They look down upon, denounce, or otherwise treat with hostility the foreigners in our country. Why? After all, we are all humans regardless of nationality or racial background.

6. Foul-mouthed street racer: Have you ever taken a taxi after midnight? Sometimes I have no choice but to take a cab then, when there is no bus or subway available. However, I am really reluctant to use one because taxi drivers often seem to drive their vehicles as if they are racing to set new speed records. It scares the living daylights out of me when I am in the backseat of these taxis. I can feel my heart racing like crazy as the driver is into his own race. They also have a tendency to become foul-mouthed when they drive this way. Do you really want a ride like this?

Now don’t get me wrong. I don’t intend to give you the wrong idea about Korea or its people. Not all Koreans are like this. So, why have I told you all these negative, ugly aspects? If you want to get to know more about Korea , you also need to know about its dark side, too. As you get to know more about us, you will find there are many nice, friendly, well-mannered Koreans out there. Believe it or not, I can be one of them.

These are just my opinions. If you have any ideas, thoughts or opinions, then please share them with me via e-mail: eightballkim@yahoo.co.kr.