One would expect that if you are an expat traveling or living in a foreign country that other expats would be friendly and willing to hang out and spend time with eachother, but not in Korea. The large majority of expats I have run into are very akward and clearly uncomfortable with other expats randomly starting up a conversation at a subway station, bar, store, ect... Many pretend they do not see you and avoid eye contact. If someone does chat with you, expect it to be short lived. Canadians and Californians have been vastly more friendly than any other group of expats; this has surprised me as, usually, from my experience in the U.S., americans are loud people eager to tell you what they think and willing to invite stangers to hang out.
Most teachers work in schools with a small crew of foreign teachers; as little as two or three to as many as 15. In these schools, the English teachers that work together naturally become friends and, i guess, arnt too interested in making new friends once they already have a few close ones.
Koreans have been consitantly more friendly, more kind, more outgoing, and more willing to grab a beer or some food. Unfortunately not many speak fluent English nor understand many jokes :(.
A Canadian friend of mine here told me that all the 'wierdos' come to teach English in Korea. To her credit she has been one of the most friendly expats I have encountered in Korea. Perhaps part of being a 'wierdo' is being very uncomfortable and unconfident when meeting new people. Perhaps I am a 'weirdo' for being completely comfortable starting up random conversations with people in subways, stores, ect... It's just a little chat, I figure, its not like im asking to move in with people!
Perhaps living in a compartmentalized expat culture in a foreign country makes people a little more uncomfortable; it seems like the majority of expats here learn basic Korean phrases to get by and then stop there...
Anyway, I just with expats in Korea were more friendly! I have heard that, in most other places in the world, expats are very friendly and warm to each other. Here in Korea, "akward" describes well how most expats act.
