Comments on: Less Friends

By: Nic

Nic — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 03:01:00 +0000

In reply to Cassie. ^_^ Yes he is. I wonder whether through this blog it might be easier to find others who are in a similar situation in Korea, so there is the possibility of making long term friends.

By: Cassie

Cassie — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 12:12:00 +0000

I know that feel, bro. But seriously, I do. I’m going through a similar thing here in Korea. I’m a ‘permanent’ resident, and most of the people I make friends with are students or temporary teachers who leave within a few months of meeting them, so now I feel like it’s not even worth it to bother. It can be really lonely sometimes being away from your home country.

But, I am very happy to have my husband by my side, and I’m sure your husband feels the same about you.

By: Jason Tankard

Jason Tankard — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 04:50:00 +0000

In reply to Nic. That is a good thing. I do that sort of thing far less if at all - however i barely if ever did it to begin with in the past any way.

By: Nic

Nic — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 15:16:00 +0000

In reply to Marie Hasert. Introductions seem to be the best way, so if you can make friends with one person, hopefully you'll get introduced to others. You may also be able to make friends with people who are interested in improving their English.

By: Nic

Nic — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 15:13:00 +0000

In reply to Sophie Song. Yup that's right. Whereas I'm quite comfortable chatting to other Western people when travelling or even just chatting to people in Australia, it's such an awkward thing for Korean people.

By: Sophie Song

Sophie Song — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 15:07:00 +0000

I think that type of problem is on the horizon for my husband, too, although luckily he has managed to make close friends with a few Sydney locals. It’s definitely not easy to transplant your life and start new. I can totally get why a Korean wouldn’t approach strangers though. This type of ‘close-group,’ ‘introduction’ culture actually has a very long history in Korea, from confucianism to Jeoson era segregation and curfew policies. If you say “How’re you going?” to strangers on the street in Seoul, they’ll think anywhere from that you are crazy to that you are picking a fight. Furthermore Koreans generally HATE intruding, being in the way or knowing that they have overstayed their welcome.

Nonetheless, I really can understand your feeling 🙂

By: Marie Hasert

Marie Hasert — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 14:06:00 +0000

I kinda feel that way too, I’m not too assertive when making friends. So when I finally do go to Korea from my Uni.. I hope to make friends.

By: Nic

Nic — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 07:30:00 +0000

In reply to Teresa Ginny. awww that must be difficult.

By: Nic

Nic — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 07:29:00 +0000

In reply to dewaanifordrama. Yeah I think when we feel more settled and know exactly what we want to do, it will be easier to make more long term friends.

By: Nic

Nic — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 07:28:00 +0000

In reply to Jason Tankard. Yeah he has also said to me that part of his life is over now as well. Like the partying type of lifestyle of his 20's. Of course we still do bbqs in the park, but he means the type of heavy drinking and socializing with really big groups of people and having no responsibility. That's over now he is 30 and a lot of it has lost it's appeal.