Random Conversation

I was taking a break outside the school today and was finishing up sending a text message when an middle aged guy stopped and starting talking to me. The conversation went something like this. Patience with my Korean please and I am sure that I am leaving out some parts


Random Korean Guy(hereafter known as RK) : 안녕하세요? Hello

ME: 안녕하세요? Hello


RK: 캐나다 사람이에요? Are you Canadian?

ME: 아니요 미국 사람이에요. No, I am American.

RK :아 미국 사람이에요. Ahh you are an American.

ME: 네. Yes (This was when I noticed the smell of soju, I think it was him saying ahh)

RK: 영어 성생님이에요? Are you an English Teacher?

ME: 네. Yes

RK: ㄱㄱㄳㅅㅅㄱㄳㅅㅇㅎㅊ (He starting speaking faster and I had no idea what he said)

ME: 미안함니다. 천천히 말해 주세요. I am sorry. Please speak slower.

RK:ㅗㅗㅗㄹㅇㄴㄴㅁ (He spoke slower, but I have no idea what he said.)

ME: 미안함니다. 한국말 조금해요. I am sorry. I only speak a little Korean.

RK:ㄹㄹㄹㄹㄹㄹㄹㄹ 어디 일해요 Where do you work? (I didn't catch all of it.)

ME: ************ 학원이에요. I work at *********** Academy.

RK: 학원 어디에있어요? Where is your academy?

ME: 요기 질층. Here 7th floor.

RK: 소주 좋아해요? Do you like Soju?

ME: 네. 좋아해요. Yes. I really like it.

RK: 아. ah. sucking the air through his teeth.

I was trying to leave at this time but he had moved in a little closer and was ready to talk to talk some more.

RK: 나이가 어떻게 돼요? How old are you?

ME: Huh?

RK: 나이가 어떻게 돼요? 저는 마흔** How old are you? I'm 40.

ME: 아. 나이가 어떻게 돼요? 삼십일 ahh How old are you. I'm 31.

I realized that I used the wrong number system here, but he then told me his age in the wrong number system as well. I can't really remember what he said though.

RK: ㅋㅋㅋㅋ Laughing

ME: 왜요 Why?

RK: 형이에요. I'm your older brother.

ME: Hahahaha

RK: 이름이 뭐예요? What is your name?

ME: 자는 제이슨 이에요. My name is Jason.

RK: 아 자는 박 *** 이에요 Ah. My name is Park *** ***

ME: 박갑습니다 Nice to meet you.

RK:박갑습니다 Nice to meet you.

RK: 같이 소조 마셔요! Let's go drink soju together.

At this point he was grabbing my arm and trying to pull me towards a bar that was close to the school.

ME: 아저씨 Sir

RK: 아저씨 아니요 형 형 형. Sir....No......Older Brother, Older Brother, Older Brother

ME: 형 지금 일해요 ! Older Brother, Now I am working.

RK:같이 소조 마셔요 같이 소조 마셔요! Lets drink Soju. Let's drink Soju.

ME: 나중에 같이 소조 마셔요 지금 일해요 ! Later, We drink soju together. Now I work.

ME: 미안함니다. I'm Sorry.

At this point I saw our school's bus pulling up and some of my students getting out. Nothing of the students saw me which was a shame.

ME: 형 초기 나 학생 있어요. Older Brother, There are my students.

RK: 친국 없어요. I don't have any friends.

RK: 이십 만 원 있어요. 소조 마셔요!. I have 200,000 won. Let's drink soju!

RK: ㄹㄹㄹㄹㄹㄹㄹㄹ 형형이에요. I'm your older brother. I will pay.(I got a little lost here. I am not sure exactly what he said.)

ME: 미안함니다. I'm sorry.(What do you say to that)

He was still pulling on my jacket at this point I was getting a little annoyed, but at the same time I felt sorry for him. Also, at this time another guy walked up and said hello to him.

ME: 너 친국 이에요? Your friend?

RK: ㅋㅋㅋㅋ 네. Laughing ....Yes.

ME: 지금 일해요. 나중에 같이 소조 마셔요. Now, I have to work. Later we will drink soju.

RK(to other guy) 미국 친국. My America friend.

His friend could tell that I needed to go and pulled his friend away.

ME: 안녕히 가세요! Goodbye

RK: 안녕히 가세요! Goodbye

RK: 소주 나중에. Soju later!

ME:(shaking my head) 아라써요 Ok, I will.(I don't know if this was the right Korean to use)

They left arm in arm singing and walked into the bar next to the building where our school is located.

I told this story to my boss's wife and to some of my other Korean coworkers. They got a big kick out of it. They asked if I didn't have to work, would I have gone with him? I don't think that I would have. My Korean is not strong enough to carry on much of conversation with someone who doesn't speak any Korean. I guess we could have talked about the weather and a few other topics that I can talk about, but I would probably not be that entertaining. There are not that many bars in Dongtan. So, I am sure that he and I will cross paths again. I wonder if he will show up one night at the school and be ready to drink.........