Compared with 5 years ago, foreigners are not such strangers to us.  Since many more foreigners are coming to our country and we also go abroad more often, we have many more chances to meet with foreigners.   People call it "Globalization."

Suppose that on your way home, you happen to see a foreigner who seems to be lost. He is wandering around, trying to find someone to help him.  He is trying to stop the passer-by to ask something. "Can you speak English?" But people just pass him shaking their heads. He seems to be very nervous and uneasy with a map in his hand. Now, since you've lived around here for many years and you've learned English for several years, you know that you can help him.  But it's hard for you to approach him and offer to help, even if you know enough expressions to use. After hesitating for some time with 'May I help you?' in mind, probably you'll pass by him without a word. You think that somebody else will help him. Most people in that situation want to help him, but those who really help him would be only a few. 

Consider two cases - one is about a person who wants to talk with foreigners but scarcely does so, and the other is about a person who actively talks with foreigners but has some problems with the cultural differences.

Yu-mi is a high school student. She's very clever and usually gets good marks on her English exams. Usually she goes to school by subway. In the subway station, she often sees a foreigner who arrives at the station at the same time as her. Usually they take the same subway, as they do today, too. 

And today, in the subway, he seems to be having trouble with another passenger, some kind of misunderstanding. He tries to say something but he can't, because he can't speak Korean. She wants to help him, but hesitates. She thinks "He must need some help and we've seen each other many times...Yeah, I should help him... But ... what should I do if I don't understand what he says?  I've never talked to a foreigner before... And if I approach him and talk in awkward English, many people will look at me and laugh... Gee, what should I do? Is there anybody who can help him? " She looks out of the windows.

And he thinks "Oh, God! What can I do? I don't know Korean... Is there nobody who can help me? …Maybe that girl can, she looks familiar ... No, she looks indifferent. "    

Now, why couldn't she talk to him? Why couldn't she even say a word to him?  We're going to analyze the situation with regards three different aspects.
  
Method of English Education
The problem is that she's studied English only in textbooks. She is good at reading and grammar, but she seldom had a chance to converse in real English. Consequently, she has no confidence talking in English, so it is very hard to offer to help.
  
Fear of Making Errors
Anyone who speaks a foreign language will make mistakes, but she was too scared of making errors when talking in English. It's very hard for her to apply the grammar she's learned to the sentences she's going to say. She doesn't realize that what is important is the meaning, not grammar. 

Nature of Korean
Koreans seldom talk with strangers even if they've seen each other many times. It's more difficult for Koreans to talk to foreigners first. And even when foreigners talk Koreans, they are likely to feel awkward. It's because of the Korean's tradition; that is, Koreans hesitate to contact strangers.
  
Kyung-ho is a very cheerful and sincere boy. He likes to talk with foreigners.  Recently a foreigner, John, moved to his apartment, and Kyung-ho often sees him around his apartment. One day, Kyung-hoOns mother asked him to put the garbage out. When he arrived there, he found John was also throwing his trash away. Kyung-ho talks to him first.

Kyung-ho: "Hello! You're my new neighborhood, aren't you?"
John: "Yes. Glad to meet you. My name is John Smith." 
K: "Glad to meet you, too. My name is Kim, Kyung-ho.  How long have you been in Korea?"
J: "About two months. You know, Korea is very beautiful"
K: "Yes. Do you live alone? Are you married?"
J: (embarrassed) "No, I'm not married."
K: "how old are you? I thought you were married."
J: "Hmm.Thirty-five."
K: "Really? You look younger. Then why aren't you marry yet?"
J: "Just... (Why is he continuously asking such questions? He's really rude. I can't understand him. Well. He seems not to be a bad boy...But why is he so curios about my private life? It? s better to leave here.  I can't stand it anymore.) Kyung-ho, I'm sorry but I have to go now. See you!"
 
Here, the problem lies in cultural differences. In Korean society, it's natural to ask and answer such questions between people who are not so close. It is OK to ask about personal matters. It could be considered an expression of good feeling for the other. 
   
Cultural Differences
In Korea, "Where are you going?" is frequently used as greeting. But, the Westerners think much of private life, and it's rude to ask personal questions between people who are not intimate enough.  
  
Westerners look at each othereas faces during conversation. To Westerners, avoiding eye contact implies lack of interest, respect, or honesty; it signals that the other person isn't really listening or simply doesn't care what the speaker saying.

The Koreans feel that the Westerners usually tend to exaggerate. But in the Westerner's point of view, their actions are not mere exaggeration but the frank manifestation of their emotion. 

When Koreans are asked some questions, they usually answer indirectly.  For example, "Yes, but I'm not sure." But when Westerners hear this, they wonder whether the Koreans mean 'Yes' or 'No'. So, when you have to say "No", please say it clearly but politely, like "I'm sorry, but I can't..." And when you want to do something, say surely without hesitation.

Understanding the cultural differences between East and West will help everyone get along better.