The weird & the wonderful

When I first arrived here I was just getting a taste of the culture. It's funny to look back at earlier posts and things I thought were so weird that now I am totally immune too. I have to say some of the things that turned my head in the early months still stand out as this cultures most absurd characteristics, but some just seem totally normal now. I have forgotten what my own culture does in some ways, and have become accustom to the Korean way, which sometimes is better and sometimes worse. Nevertheless, I thought it would be fun to recall some of the oddest and most amazing parts about Korean culture in my eyes after a year of living here.

The Weird:

There are these trucks here that have fresh seafood, vegetables, or fruit that drive around with a loud speaker on top of them announcing to the whole neighborhood what they are selling something and for how much. (I'm assuming, as its in Korean.) I will be cooking my dinner in my apartment and all of a sudden hear these loudspeakers yelling through my window in Korean. I will hand it to the drivers that it absolutely gets your attention, but is such an odd way to sell your goods. Whether you want to or not, you WILL hear what they have to offer. Going to a normal farmers market in the States doesn't seem quite as exciting....

The fondness towards alcohol in the business sense is so outrageous to me. Here a businessman has no choice but to go out with the boss and coworkers and get completely blackout wasted with them. Usually this is done over a 'work dinner' and will leave the participants extremely inebriated to the point that they pass out on the street. I can't even count how many times I have seen a businessman passed out on the street or in a restaurant. It's something I can not help but stare at, but other Korean men and women walk right past them like it's nothing. It's even been known for applicants for a job to say how many bottles of Soju they can drink. The more you can drink, the more likely it is that you will get the job. Someone could even get fired if they don't drink with the boss. This is a weird and also sad part of this culture. Alcoholism doesn't exist here, and yet it definitely does. It is basically forced upon employees of certain jobs and they can do nothing but say 'bottoms up'.

I have said many times that I HATE the frequency of being bumped into here. The invisibility that I feel will not be missed when I return home, but is absolutely acceptable in this culture. I look forward to having my space back in the States and hearing an, "I'm sorry ma'am," if someone should god forbid bump into me on the street.

The kill yourself work schedule is one that is so weirdly common here. Everyone from construction workers to lawyers work 50-60 hours and week. This is such a testament to Korea's success in the past decades but gives it's people no time to rest or even be sick. Succumbing to this kind of schedule has resulted in numerous meltdowns this year for me and I will be happy to get back to a mere 40 hour work load in the States.

The umbrellas in the summer that shield Koreans from the sun will be missed, but having to check all make up I purchase and creams for bleach will not be missed. This is both a loved quirk about this culture and a crazy one! I understand the fancy look of holding your umbrella because you are too fragile for sunlight, but why would anyone bleach their face??


The Wonderful:

Korean bbq is one of my favorite meals here mostly because of the experience of cooking your own food. I highly doubt I will be at a table where I am served raw meat again back in the States, but the many times I have cut this meat with scissors are cherished memories for me. Plus you get a sense of accomplishment when its all finished and you can chow down!

 Grown women in bows has been a sight that has always made me smile and laugh. My boss will even come to school in a headband with a big bow on the side that, in the States, you would assume a child would be wearing. It is such a fashion statement here and even I have enjoyed getting into the hair bow fashion trend. I have bought so many cute hair accessories and I'm not sure I can get away with them back at home!

I will miss being treated like a queen because I am a teacher. This doesn't always happen from my boss or even my school, but the parents and other people that I teach are extremely generous and thoughtful because they consider my job invaluable. English is such an important part of education here in Korea and basically ensures success in the future for anyone who can speak it. I am looked upon as though I have this magical gift that others are dying to get a hold of! So they listen, they learn, and they are overwhelmingly grateful. The icing on the cake is being continually bowed too as a sign of respect. I wish teachers all over the world were treated in this manner, because it truly is one of the most important jobs out there.


Seeing many Korean people in face masks has always been a little funny to me, but I'm kind of in love with them. If someone is wearing a face mask then that means that they are sick and I know to stay away from them. Being a bit of a germ freak myself I find this extremely thoughtful as I know to stay away because of their facial accessory. Even at school the kids will come with face masks or scarves around their neck which symbolize that they are sick. At first I thought this was totally crazy because these scarves were like a branding method that screamed "My kid is sick!" But after being sick over and over again in this country, I found them helpful warning symbols for me to keep a bit of distance between myself and that child. I will miss these considerate measures back at home, and the funny different kinds of masks you can see on kids.

I absolutely am in love with the way that little girls dress over here. I have never seen little kids have so much style! The little girls in my Kinder class will come to school in full on princess dresses just because they wanted too. Or they will have fancy spring dresses with big beautiful bows in their hair that match, and of course little girl high heels. Some of my girls even carry purses! They are hello kitty or Cinderella as expected, and I adore them!

My final and favorite wonderful aspect about Korean culture is the dancing. You think Koreans work hard. . . .  well they play hard as well! When I go into a dance club here in Seoul, the moves that so many Korean people are making on the dance floor are amazing. Honestly, you would think they were having some kind of happy seizure because of the way that their bodies pump to the music. I have never met better dancers than I have in Korea. They are totally free to move however they want, and I love it. I can't help but smile whenever I see a young Korean guy moving every part of his body to a fast electronic song. I can only hope I can replicate some of these phenomenal moves back at home.

Oh the weird and the wonderful..... I will miss this place.