Foreigners’ reactions when giving directions
LEE YEON SIL Reporter
| 2024-10-22 07:51:32
[GLOBAL ECONOMIC TIMES] I mainly use the Seoul subway. As a result, there are days when 5 people at a certain station provide directions each day. This is true for Seoul Station, Noryangjin Station, Cheongnyangni Station, Express Bus Terminal Station, and Anguk Station. I often provide simple help to those who don't know where to transfer or the exit. In most cases, it is less than 5 minutes. However, the reactions are contrasting.
In the case of foreigners, once their eyes meet, they smile sweetly. When asked, "How can I help you?", he smiles and quickly tells me what he needs. If I show him the way, he thanks me and asks for my name, or even gives me a small souvenir or chocolate from his country. He takes a selfie and says, "When I remember Korea." He says, “I won’t forget you either.” He hugs me and then leaves.
When Koreans are in trouble because they don't know the way around, when you approach them, the other person is startled. He reacts as if he has seen a zombie and looks me up and down. Once you decide that you don't look like a fraudster, quickly tell them that you need help. If you help me, I just go on my way without even saying thank you. I know Koreans live busy lives, but sometimes I feel embarrassed.
WEEKLY HOT
- 1Daejeon Confirmed to Host the 2029 Invictus Games… First in Asia
- 2Coupang’s ‘Chameleon Management’ Arbitrarily Switching Its Nationality
- 3 U.S. Moves to Sever Chinese Materials and Components from Defense Supply Chains
- 4Saudi Arabia Launches Naval Protection Measures as Houthi Blockade Threat Escalates in Bab-el-Mandeb Strait
- 5Google Developing Custom AI Chip Optimized for Gemini, to Be Produced Alongside Existing TPUs
- 6OpenAI Rebounds in Secondary Market as Valuation Surges 20% in Three Months