When you deal with a nosy person, how do you react if you are uncomfortable with their questions?
Lots of Canadians or Americans say Koreans are nosy in funny ways. One of my friends living in Korea developed a solution. In taxis, the drivers always asked him a lot of questions. “How old are you?” “Are you married?” “Do you have a girlfriend?” “Do you like a Korean girl?“ “What’s your occupation?” “How much do you make?” During 10 minutes of riding, he was almost tortured.
Months later, he told me he realized how to deal with such questions. “I ask them back the same questions, and then they usually become quiet.” If a nosy person asks how much he earns, he asks the same question back to the questioner:”How much do you make?” When I heard it, I thought it was very wise reaction.
Whenever I go to teach my first class, what I’m writing on the board first is “That’s not your business!”
“Don’t ask any personal questions such as income, age, or personal relationships when you meet someone for the first time. If someone keeps asking you questions that make you feel uncomfortable, you say: That’s not your business!” Most of my students understand clearly after my explanation.
Since I came to Canada, I have seldom encountered nosy Canadians, but when I meet Koreans, they are really curious about my personal life.
I once overheard a conversation where a nosy woman asked another woman why she divorced. The second woman said, “Because he was an asshole!” The answer made the nosy person’s mouth shut up without being insulted. The wise answer came to me like a light bulb. I memorized it to use in the future when I deal with people asking me why I divorced.
That’s a very good question,Dong.
When I’m very frustrated, I am still speaking English, but when I’m very surprised at something, I speak Korean unconciously
“Aigo, kkamjjaga! or ummmaya!” : )
Aigo,kkmajjaga means oh, surprised! amd ummaya means oh mother!
Mang, When you are frustrated are you swearing in Korean or English? lol
asshole is about as bad as shit I guess. Don’t want to be throwing it around too much. :D
Z
Is “asshole” one of terrible bad words? I think the word is literally funny. : )
Oh wow so you are divorced eh? Assholyness is always a good reason. :)
Z