RE: Rhee and Chaing kai chek

["Daniel T. Fahey" <DanFahey@DanSources.com>]

In Rockville, MD we have a large Korean community. There is a general
coldness in meating them. Iam not just experiencing this.  My relatives see
it to.

I dismissed any issues until a Korean friend said flatly Koreans are not
warm friendly people and out right cold. We frequented Sam Wu's in
Rockville. When he walked in we were treated with utmost attention. Without
him, we were served without the smiling faces, back to the frown.

I do not experience this with the Latino, Eastern European, Arab or Persian.
In the some of the WDC communities there has been absolute hate.  It seems
the new immigrant has this edge.  It is tough to get them to warm up.  Even
our new neighbors were hard to wam up to. They felt awkward though we now
mix OK.

I am always congenial, respectful an give a smile to a stranger.  Mentioned
earlier in the posts that Koreans may have a real edge about us becaseu of
the war.  I am not blaming anyone but to understand better what I am
experiencing from their culture.
Just looking for away to disarm any anxiety that we as Americans may casue
them to blanch at us in the USA.

Dan




-----Original Message-----
From: owner-KOREAN-WAR-L@raven.cc.ku.edu
[mailto:owner-KOREAN-WAR-L@raven.cc.ku.edu]On Behalf Of MGH & HJM
Sent: Monday, February 18, 2002 4:11 PM
To: KOREAN-WAR-L@raven.cc.ku.edu
Subject: Re: Rhee and Chaing kai chek


Aigu!!! You are definitely experiencing this phenomena alone - and why an
erudite, scholarly man like yourself, Dan, would formulate such a gross
blanket
statement about Koreans is perplexing. I am a Caucasian male who has been
the
best man at one Korean wedding, the MC at another. I delivered both speeches
in
Korean and English - I have never had problems with Koreans. Hell, even the
Korean corner store (depanneur en francais) fellow loves it when I say hello
and thanks in Korean. Perhaps it has to do with making an effort to bridge a
cultural gap rather than forcing assimilation...However, I know this is off
topic so I will refrain further from pursing this polemic.

Just my thoughts

HJM

"Daniel T. Fahey" wrote:

> Topic1
> I read several books on the CBI about Bissel, Stilwell and Chennault.  The
> Book Chennault wrote, his writings to commanders and US political agents
> seemed over done.  To the point they looked almost Chinese in nature. Hat
in
> hand approach, reminders of failures if not supplied. No Doubt he had a
> great task. But the Bissels and Stilwells versions were a lot differnt.  I
> all thier writing was a lot of hate and distrust for each other.  The US
> Commanders hated General Chiang and Chennault.  Liking them to a spoiled
> Warlord. Basically tolerated him.
>
> The comments about Chiang are almost identical to what I see on this
> listserver about Rhee.  Seems both killed civilians in vast quantities.
> Even to the point of shakeling 100000 people up to block the Japanese
> advance.  One of the other posters seemed to hit the nail on the head ..
all
> the history books talk about the war and not the politics.  The decisions
> that came up to implement battle plans on the outside now look simplistic.
> The criminal acts allowed in Korea make people who experienced this war
want
> to forget it.  After having to submited ourselves to Korea and its risks.
> (Not to change topics) But this begs the question, Why did we do it again
in
> Vietnam?
>
> Topic2
> My Personal experience. I rarely meet a Korean in the US that is friendly.
> Even the Korean/Japanese resturants that we frequent, I feel like we are
> only tolerated for our money.  In the WDC area there is still a lot of
Joon
> Rhee Karate Schools.  Aside from a few Korean collegues who have lived
hear
> a while.  My experience that Koreans just do not like Americans.
>
> Am I experiencing this alone? Or am I over reacting.
> Dan Fahey