Korean Man Sparks Outrage at Philippine Airport by Resting Feet on Front Seat, Ignoring Polite Requests

Frowning and Ignoring Despite Polite Request
"Unacceptable Behavior at Home," Netizens Point Out
Recurring Tourist Misconduct at Southeast Asian Airports

The actions of a Korean man sitting in a waiting area at an airport in the Philippines, with his feet up on the seat in front of him, have sparked outrage online. The controversy has further escalated into a debate over public etiquette, especially as claims have emerged that he did not change his posture despite polite requests.

On March 13, posts and photos titled "A Korean man put his feet on my seat at a Philippine airport" spread across social media platforms. In a photo posted on social media, a man is seen sitting in a waiting area chair at the airport with his shoes off, wearing white socks, and resting both feet on the backrest of the seat in front of him.

A photo posted on social media shows a man sitting on an airport waiting area chair with his shoes off, wearing white socks, and resting both feet on the backrest of the seat in front of him. Photo captured from social media

The individual who reported the incident, stating they were sitting in the seat in front, explained, "I politely asked the man to put his feet down, but he just frowned and ignored my request. He kept the same posture, so I ultimately had no choice but to move to another seat." As the story gained attention, criticism mounted. Online users commented, "He lacks even the most basic etiquette expected in public places," "Ignoring someone even after they've told you they're uncomfortable is rude," "Such behavior abroad negatively affects the country's image," and "He's acting this way because he thinks Southeast Asia is less strict."

Some online commenters specifically criticized, "It's hard to understand why this kind of behavior keeps happening only at airports in Southeast Asia." While such actions are rarely seen in domestic airports or public areas, it is pointed out that some tourists act more carelessly at airports overseas, especially in Southeast Asia, where they perceive the rules to be less strict.

Others also noted that similar incidents have occurred repeatedly. In the past, controversy arose when a Korean tourist was seen lying across several chairs to sleep at an airport in Vietnam. At Bangkok Airport in Thailand, images have spread of some tourists putting their feet up on seats with their shoes off, which has also been criticized as rude behavior.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.