O G San

Reply to On The Seoul Train in Misc JoeUser Forums

Er, no, this would be after an evening spent naming all the countries in Europe.

Korean Reflections: A Cross Culture in Misc JoeUser Forums

On my way home from work yesterday, a smartly-dressed young man came bounding up to me, his floppy fringe bobbing up and down as he ran. " Hello, I'm Brendan ", he said enthusiastically, offering his hand in an untypical Korean gesture. As a foreigner in Seoul, I'm often accosted in this manner by complete strangers. But there was something about this m

On The Seoul Train in Misc JoeUser Forums

One of the aspects to life in Seoul which took a little getting used to was the sheer size of this behemoth of a metropolis. Travelling around the Korean capital can be a very time-consuming experience. Weekends often involve inordinate amounts of time spent waiting for buses, standing on the subway, or watching the taxi meter tick over. But, as time has pas

Reply to Samgyeopsal Rules in Misc JoeUser Forums

Yeah, similar rules for all the meat on a leaf meals I think. One thing I would be interested in knowing, chiprj, is how you perceive the behaviour of your fellow US troops in Korea. I'm curious as to whether or not US troops are interested in the Korean language and culture and whether they are courteous to Korean people. The reason I ask is because I find the attitude of many in my social group (English teachers) to be quite appal

Reply to Darling, you've got to let me know... in Current Events JoeUser Forums

Well, maybe a little jealous.

Samgyeopsal Rules in Misc JoeUser Forums

One of the great things about Asia, as opposed to Europe, is the different attitude toward food here in the Orient. Back home on the western side of our immense landmass, eating out is a very occasional pleasure for all but the wealthy. To go to a restaurant one must have a reason: a date,

Reply to A Rant About MOPEs in Current Events JoeUser Forums

Welcome back, great stuff. Hope you told the interview person to go forth and multiply when they said that to you.

Korean Reflections: Where Have All The Boys Gone? in Misc JoeUser Forums

I've read a few of Michael Moore's books and have managed to take a position on the Rotund Ranter which few other Joeusers seem to share - that of ambivalence. I don't detest the man but neither do I love him. Sometimes, I find his ideas thought-provoking. I remember once reading his anecdotal observation that it seems that there are more girls than boys being born th

Korean Reflections: Mi guk in in Misc JoeUser Forums

"Mi guk in" The child's index finger points toward the pointy-nosed, pale-skinned oddity strolling past. "Mi guk in" ("American"), he exclaims excitedly to his parents as if he's just seen some exotic beast, like a rhino or a unicorn. The "American" stops in his tracks, bends down and smiles at the little one "a ni yo, a il lean deu in" ("n

Reply to Korean Reflections: Confucius And The Cash Register in Misc JoeUser Forums

Pete, there's only two things worth nicking: the TV (not mine) and the DVD, which I'm planning on giving to Soupy. You wouldn't deny him that now, would you?

Reply to Korean Reflections: Confucius And The Cash Register in Misc JoeUser Forums

Thanks for the comments. foreverserenity, My use of the word "unfortunate" was tongue in cheek, I would have thought that was obvious.

Korean Reflections: Confucius And The Cash Register in Misc JoeUser Forums

My time in Korea is coming to an end, so this is the first in a series of articles reflecting on life on the peninsula: The till opens to reveal a huge wad of ten thousand won notes (about a fiver each). Altogether, the checkout operator must have several hundred pounds in her till. I could reach out and grab them, simple as can be. Even after a yea

Reply to apathy in Blogging JoeUser Forums

Yeah, good choice. I had a sabbatical last summer. Less is more.

Reply to Those Jaffas, They'll Stoop To Anything in International JoeUser Forums

Thanks for your comments everyone. To explain the title, "Jaffa" is a derogatory term used to refer to Protestants. It is more commonly used in Derry than in Belfast. Dharma, you're basically correct, the term comes from the city of Jaffa in Palestine which is famous for its oranges. "Stoop" is a reference to a derogatory term used by SF to refer to the SDLP as in "Stoop Down Low Party". So the SDLP are known as "the Stoops".

Those Jaffas, They'll Stoop To Anything in International JoeUser Forums

I knew this would happen. I said this would happen: " Among those milling around Templemore Sports Complex after last Friday evening's count were figures such as Ian Doherty, a leading Derry businessman and long-time associate of Mark Durkan's well-heeled clan. Mr Doherty was one of those who signed Mr Durkan's nomination papers. Nearby stood I

Reply to How Liberal/Conservative are You? in Politics JoeUser Forums

Lucas, look closer: "The problem with the US justice system is" "Revoking No Child Left Behind" "Social Security" "The Fed should be more concerned with"

In The Name Of God, Go! in International JoeUser Forums

At times like these, one feels sorry for the owners of British off-licenses. I don't imagine that the champagne was flying off the shelves after last week's Westminster election. The Conservatives won more than 40 extra seats but couldn't shift their share of the vote from the lamentable 33% they won in 2001. The Lib Dems increased their overall vote but didn't gain s

Reply to How Liberal/Conservative are You? in Politics JoeUser Forums

As a non-American, I don't feel I can do this survey. However, congrats to shadesofgrey for being top of the class

Reply to It's The Grass That Suffers in International JoeUser Forums

Don't you have better things to do with your time, Mr. Bush?

Reply to The War Is Dead in International JoeUser Forums

Israel sells weapons to China.

Reply to It's The Grass That Suffers in International JoeUser Forums

Good all-round point, Chakgogka. I asked my 12 year olds who the rightful owner of Dokdo/Takeshima was. Four said Korea, three said Japan. What can I say? We're more liberal out here in Gyeongi-do.

Reply to X marks the spot in Politics JoeUser Forums

So, who did you vote for?

Live Oul Horse And Ye'll Get Grass in International JoeUser Forums

The voters of North Down are a contrary bunch, always prepared to buck the trend of unionist politics. For years, while other unionists voted for the DUP or UUP, the good people of Bangor sent Jim Kilfedder, of the laughably titled Popular Unionist Party, to represent them in the House of Commons. After his death, another one man band took over in the cons

A Finger Or Two Off The Throat in International JoeUser Forums

Even before I clicked on the election results on the BBC website, I knew it was good news. On the homepage was an electoral map of the UK. I paid no heed to the mess of red, yellow and blue in GB, but instead fixed my gaze on Northern Ireland (NI). And there they were, lime green splashes in the north-west and south-east of the six counties. On closer inspection, ther

Reply to The War Is Dead in International JoeUser Forums

Bahu, Ever heard of the huge pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong? Do you know who chooses the chief executive? It's not the people of Hong Kong, that's for sure. Not even the pan-blue in Taiwan would sign up to such a poor deal as "one country, two systems". China has always shown great statesmanship? During the border clashes with the Soviet Union? The war with India? The invasion of Vietnam? The artillery bombardment of Kinmen and