This is the 7th in a series of posts looking at dating for English teachers in Korea (specifically Seoul). As always, the post is unedited.

Vernon Murray Ross*, Male Aged 25-30, Canadian

“Hmmmmm.

The Korean women I’ve interacted with have been very kind, thoughtful, and sincere. Sincere to a fault almost sometimes, because they really don’t pull any punches. Good or bad, they tell you what’s on their mind. Personally, I really like that. It’s a refreshing change from the way Western women say one thing and really mean something else. I’ve also been lucky with respect to meeting Korean women who are really sharp. They are quickwitted enough to joke with me despite the language gap, which is cool.

The language barrier is the biggest obstacle, obviously. This is why I study Hangul….

I think it is pretty easy to meet Korean women. Korean women openly flirt with foreign guys, and most seem to be very interested in us. It depends on the setting though. Your chances are much better at a bar in Hongdae than on the subway, just like anywhere else.

I don’t like meeting the people I date in bars, so I’m glad I met somebody cool at work. That way you can actually get to know them well and have a real connection. The problem is, coworkers (especially the older ones) really seem to frown on the idea of Korean teachers dating Western teachers. Due to the double standard, the women take all the heat for it, which makes me feel pretty guilty about my little office affair. Rumours have been making the rounds at school and all the students and teachers are talking about her behind her back, so I feel bad. We took some steps to calm the rumours and it seems to have worked. We avoid areas that students and teachers are likely to see us together outside of school. Also, as long as we don’t seem to friendly at work, there’s no problem and nobody asks questions. I just make sure not to talk to her any more than I would talk to all the other teachers, and that seemed to placate everyone.”

*Pseudonym