American Expat Explorer Talks Terrible Tourism Ethics in South Korea.

[@francoismarc3]

I think some tourists and people around the have a BIG misconception about Korea, traveling to Korea, and traveling to different countries in general. When traveling to a new place, the most important thing to do is to have respect for the new place you visit! What do you all think of this situation and travel ethics in general? Gyeongbokgung Palace: royal.cha.go.kr/ENG/contents/E101010000.do Article on Vietnamese tourist: www.independent.co.uk/asia/east-asia/vietnam-tourist-yoga-korea-gyeongbokgung-palace-b2643056.html#:~:text=A%20Vietnamese%20tourist%20sparked%20a,period%2C%20from%201392%2D1910.

[@heavenhaven7254]

You are absolutely right Francois. To Historical site behave like that so disrespectful, have no manners behave like that.

[@heavenhaven7254]

You've made point Korean saying what exactly what you are saying about foreigners.

[@user-hy7gq5sd6k]

근데 저 사람은 베트남 현지에서 먼저 부정적으로 이슈가 돼서 한국 언론에 보도가 된거고 한국에선 크게 이슈가 되지도 않고 딱히 비판하는 사람도 많지 않아요 😅

[@Nnfsiof2003]

괜찮아요 문제 없어요😅

[@user-ro76vzr3v]

​@@Nnfsiof2003안 괜찮아요. 문제 있어요.

[@skatingcanuck9837]

Thank you for pointing out the elephant in the room that people like Johnny Somali think Asians are soft, hence why he is targeting Asian countries. It's very deliberate that he has not been to Mexico or Brazil where he would face dangerous repercussions.

[@azumi5459]

not soft. they literally think (Asian) are (second) (grade) and (inferior) to them.

[@harrisonyoo7890]

@@azumi5459 Which is wrong looking at civilization perspective as well as how people behave and considerate of others along with intellectuality.

[@jiminswriter4209]

@@azumi5459 Both can be true.

[@carlitadengari]

Even in Europe or America, if you harrass and insult ppl on the streets you might quickly end in hospital after targetting the wrong person.

[@francoismarc3]

I think so!

[@오꾸띠]

형님, 10만 구독자 달성하자구요... 오늘도 멋진 하루되세요~!!

[@francoismarc3]

Hey, thank you so much!! We can do it!!! Let's work hard hard!!:)

[@경숙임-s2x]

인상도 좋고 선한분 같아요. 가을 정취 덕분에 잘 봤어요.

[@francoismarc3]

Thank you so much for watching and supporting me!!:)

[@normo3602]

God bless you for being a kind and respectful person. The kind of example people want to make when abroad

[@francoismarc3]

Thank you so much!! I am trying my best!:)

[@kcstone5416]

Amazing Korea thank you for showing beautiful place viewing from Texas

[@francoismarc3]

My absolute pleasure! Thank you so much for watching all the way from Texas:) I lived in Dallas for six years:)

[@kcstone5416]

@@francoismarc3 really I do to for five years now I live in Arrington by the way I’m an Korean person being America fifty years

[@Jeonyggo]

오늘 영상은 배경이 너무 예뻐요 ☺️🍁🍂🧡

[@francoismarc3]

I was lucky the weather was very good! I loved walking around in the nice fall weather!!:)

[@bohyunyoo5855]

경복궁 was built when Josun dynasty was created by the 1st king, Taejo. I guess there are more issue growing here with the tourists bc there are so many of them which isn't bad... BTW love your voice and love your smile~^^ Glad you share how you feel and think about the issue!!

[@francoismarc3]

Hey, thanks so much for sharing that information about 경복궁!! And I appreciate the compliment so much!!:) I guess when more tourists come into the country, these kinds of issues will arise. Thank you for giving me your time today:)

[@bohyunyoo5855]

@@francoismarc3 you bet!^^

[@szvqorwnpstahskypfwmp9821]

What beautiful scenery you captured in this video!! I swear, fall is the best season in Korea. We Americans can learn a lot from this video when it comes to respecting local cultures and etiquette when we are in other countries. We Americans have always had a bad reputation as travelers being rude and obnoxious when we are in foreign countries. Luckily, it has gotten better but still, there are some obnoxious/insane tourists from America going around the world doing some horrible things like that guy Johnny. That being said, however, the vast majority of Americans are awesome and great people like Francois!! They are some of the most friendly people you will ever meet. It is always those few bad apples like you said that make all of us Americans look bad. You are absolutely right about the importance of respecting and conforming to the local manners and etiquette because, after all, you are a guest in their country. So, you need to behave well and respect the hosting country. It is like getting invited to someone else's home for a dinner party and you gotta behave when you are there!! It is as simple as that!! Thank you, Francois!! Peace brother as always!!

[@francoismarc3]

I want us Americans to be looked at in a positive light when we travel, so just hoping this video can offer some basic guidelines for those of us who want to travel in the future or who are traveling now and need a little help:) We never know who's looking at us and how easy it is for stereotypes to be generalized:( Thanks again for such a valued comment to this content, brother!!:)

[@blackbelt2000]

social media had a more negative impact on people's behavior and common sense than positive.

[@francoismarc3]

Not much to argue with here...

[@TheKaiTetley]

Visited Seoul last year with my mum. Had such a great time I came back again. We were lucky enough to visit when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom

[@francoismarc3]

Seoul, and all of Korea, is magical during that time. I think it's my favorite time of year!

[@heavenhaven7254]

프랜코이스는 제대로 된 인서이된 사람이내요. 한국에 살면서 행복하시길.

[@francoismarc3]

Thank you so much for your comment! I'm trying my best. I'm definitely not perfect, but I'm striving to be respectful of others as much as possible:)

[@skatingcanuck9837]

I was surprised the woman doing the yoga poses was from Vietnam. Vietnam has historic monuments and lots of tourists - she should know better, but I guess crass behaviour comes from everywhere.

[@francoismarc3]

Exactly...there are many historical monuments in Vietnam, and the Vietnamese also have a long colorful history, so I can't figure out why she would do that. And yes, in every people group, there is this kind of behavior.

[@skatingcanuck9837]

@@francoismarc3 I meet Vietnamese all the time who are fond of Kdramas and Korean food. I saw a video of Koreans going to a mainly Korean grocery store in a resort region of Vietnam. I was so impressed the employees spoke Korean. Thousands of Vietnamese tourists visit Korea every year. They are kind people and this one crass tourist was probably looking for click bait - she does not represent the good Vietnamese people.

[@Dmwntkp99]

Vietnamese cause the second highest foreign crime in Japan after Chinese.

[@user_giantalmond]

님 목소리가 너무 멋진거 알고 계신가요? 와우👍👍👍

[@francoismarc3]

Really? Wow...thank you for saying this! My students always fall asleep when I speak, so I didn't think it was so good hahahah

[@kcstone5416]

@@francoismarc3because you have such gentle voice

[@chow-zz6nv]

Yes, you are a gentle soul. it’s a reflecting in your mannerisms. I like you the way you are. wishing your dreams are fulfilled. keep up the good work.

[@FlyBabyWhale]

목소리가 너무 좋아요. 영어듣기 편해요❤

[@francoismarc3]

감사합니다 😭😭😭

[@찬란한-i2l]

감사합니다.

[@francoismarc3]

Omg...대단히 감사합니다!!! 우와!!!!:)

[@dummygirl1201]

Yeah, you're always gonna have trash who do stupid shit for attention. They generally target places where they think they can get away with it. The problem is that other people pay for their actions 😮‍💨

[@francoismarc3]

Spot on! I don't know if people think about their actions sometimes while traveling. Travelers are always unofficial ambassadors of their country. Image while traveling is EXTREMELY important.

[@hongdale]

I really enjoy watching your channel. I like the way you treat the country with respect. Thanks!

[@francoismarc3]

Hey, thanks so much for taking time to watch:) And you words mean a lot to me:)

[@gabriellep9866]

Well stated as always! 👏👏👏

[@francoismarc3]

Hey, really appreciate those words!:)

[@user-ro76vzr3v]

난 외국인이 아닌 한국인이 경복궁에서 그랬다 해도 좋게 보진 않았을거다. 존중할 곳에선 예의있게 행동해 줄줄 알아야 한다고 생각해요. 내가 해외에 나가도 마찬가지일 것이다

[@francoismarc3]

Respect:)

[@BadgerLady]

we have come to the point, we need to remind adult people to behave. The world is not our playground, but we are still free to enjoy it.

[@heavenhaven7254]

But have to behave respectfully.

[@francoismarc3]

What has the world come to? And yes, we can enjoy all the world AND be respectful at the same time:)

[@Holahola1234_5]

Hi i was thinking 경복궁 should be called 경복 - palace ? coz 궁 means a palace.

[@francoismarc3]

I see what you mean, thanks!:)

[@BrianCatalano]

If this was America, you could do yoga poses on a cop car if your name is Karen... If it isn't, you're getting shot and tazed simultaneously!

[@francoismarc3]

I don't think I can disagree at all with this assessment hahaha

[@heavenhaven7254]

So disrespectful...

[@francoismarc3]

I think so...

[@yootoobvyooer]

My issue is all these faux hanbok, foreigner or not. Hanbok was not like this. There are KZbinrs traveling around the world wearing these "new" hanbok. It's at a point where I doubt ppl would recognize traditional hanbok if they saw one, and simplicity beauty of hanbok is lost. All for tourist dollar. 😢

[@francoismarc3]

This sounds like a good content idea!! Would you happen to know where I could find 'real' hanbok?

[@yootoobvyooer]

@francoismarc3 I heard some shops have real ones, but hidden way in the back and must ask for it. But some may just lie and give you new one as traditional. If you watch really old Korean shows before 1960s, you can see what they looked like, before people like Mr. Kim "improved" it as shown in the movie ode to my father. Btw, exploring that movie would be good content for English speakers. Meredith Victory scene shows why America is the greatest country in the world. Ehh, maybe saying that might be bit much for you as an American.

[@Karoncaron]

Les feuilles sont belles

[@Karoncaron]

Les gens sont bcp wow...

[@francoismarc3]

Je suis d'accord! Le temps faisant trop beau pendant le week-end!!

[@francoismarc3]

C'est la saison des touristes hahahah

[@BkkParichat]

Even elementary school students know the rules of common sense. Just shows how ignorant and arrogant and entitled Americans have become. Common sense rules the day. 😮😮😮

[@szvqorwnpstahskypfwmp9821]

As an American, I take it as offense. Plz do not generalize!!

[@francoismarc3]

Thanks for adding your input!!

[@parkhwabong1]

There are some really weird men and women in Korea. Sometimes they are called villains. You can call them attention seekers who only do unusual things to get attention.

[@francoismarc3]

It's sad:(

[@parkhwabong1]

@francoismarc3 I respect black people, but I don't need respect for such a bad guy, George Somali.

[@boostthebeauty3487]

Thanks for sharing your humility about your experience of China. I’ll have to keep in mind of cultural ethics too when I travel out of the US.

[@francoismarc3]

That China experience was another big reminder that US laws, benefits, and service don't travel with me to other countries (unless I hold a special position in the government), so I had better be humble and shows understanding when abroad...never know who's looking, too!

[@slu9329]

Ruining Korea one bad tourist at a time.

[@francoismarc3]

Right? Ugh...this can have some serious consequences for other tourists...

[@PaulKekaiManansala]

Is Johnny Somali still running around there?

[@jihojio2118]

yes

[@francoismarc3]

I think so, but I heard he apologized, so let's see what happens...

[@jejudo3000]

I been there before 🫨

[@francoismarc3]

It's an amazing place to visit!!!

[@chisungoh5963]

잘생겼어요😮

[@francoismarc3]

Thank you so very much!!!:)

[@jerrycho9869]

i think i'm just surprised that you still visit the palace after 14 yrs? as far as the yoga thing, i'm sure disrespect was meant but who knows her story.

[@francoismarc3]

I don't know why she would do it, and I don't think disrespect was intended, but just the consequences of those actions could have far-reaching results, I think...:(

[@jerrycho9869]

@@francoismarc3 i wasn't judging. yes it can be very miscronstrued. but yoga there? lol. i wasn't offended at least but i didn't grow up in korea. everyone is out to make a buck. i get that. no judgement on you either. did you see the squirrel/raccon incident? that seems to be viral and that dude isn't even on youtube.

[@francoismarc3]

@jerrycho9869 Oh, I didn't think your comment was negative or anything, lol. And I didn't know about the racoon incident. I'll look it up!!!:)

[@JungHoon-Q]

I love how you genuinely respect the Korean culture. I do think people should refrain from doing unusual things in public, especially in other countries, but I'm not sure if doing yoga in front of the palace is the craziest thing either (I'm Korean by the way). maybe not placing her feet on the wall. Maybe I've lived in New york for too long, and got numb to weird people. I do think because of the extra attention Korea gets these days, we are drawing unpleasant folks also, but can't really do much about that. It's like how italians hate foriegn tourists doing acts in front of their historic sites - I mean what do you do, unless they clearly violate a law?

[@francoismarc3]

Thanks so much:) My only concern is that actions such as these can have consequences for other foreigners and visitors. I hope not, but every action has a reaction"(

[@im2b1234]

😂😂😂

[@francoismarc3]

People crazy sometimes hahaha

[@MyronChoe]

As a Korean, I don’t personally find the actions of that Vietnamese person particularly disrespectful. However, your politeness and courtesy would be appreciated by many Koreans, myself included. Korea may offer a more liberal environment than some other Asian countries, which some respect while others might exploit, but it’s encouraging that isolated misbehavior doesn’t significantly affect perceptions of one’s country or its tourists. This maturity reflects positively on Korea as a travel destination. Still, Korea’s collectivist and patriotic tendencies, along with recent perceptions of disrespectful tourist behavior, raise concerns. I hope these factors don’t lead us to xenophobia or hostility toward visitors.

[@RAINWOOLF]

그러게요 저 베트남여성분이 특이하긴했지만 그 행동이 이렇게 크게 대두될 문제는 아니라고 보네요 옷을 홀딱벗은것도아니고 낙서하거나 훼손한것도 아닌데 너무 과민반응인듯

[@francoismarc3]

Makes sense. Thanks for sharing this! And hope xenophobia is not the result either...

[@Xyy2387]

The wider issue is going to be the change in public perception, which is already happening. Korea, like most homogenous societies, is a hard nut to crack for foreigners. These "tourists" will make it difficult for people who want to actually settle down and live in Korea. One thing I will point out is that once Koreans make up their minds, its very difficult to reverse.

[@francoismarc3]

Yes, this is exactly what I'm saying. Some may think this is a small contained issue, but many issues like this one will snowball and the effects on other foreigners or 'tourists' can be dire.

[@jiminswriter4209]

Korea is not an amusement park. It does not exist for your entertainment.

[@francoismarc3]

Exactly!!!!

[@ori5581]

저 여자도 소말리처럼 한번 교육 받아야한다

[@francoismarc3]

I don't know if the education should be as harsh as Johnny, but definitely someone should say something to her.

[@celty7535]

You’re such a pick me lol

[@francoismarc3]

Thank you for this incredibly constructive comment! I can see you put a lot of critical thinking into your missive.

[@propertymanager9149]

Johnny somali needs to get got

[@francoismarc3]

Agreed!