I can’t really say I had “culture shock” when I arrived in Korea, but I will say there were several things about Korean society that I didn’t really care. But it’s funny how things work out; now I like them! I guess all I needed was time. Here’s a short list of a few of my new likes. (NB: When reading this article, be sure to click on the highlighted texts so you can see the associated images and video clips)
1
K-Dramas: In my opinion, soap operas in general
are over-the-top and not the highest quality of acting (just overly emotional,
beautiful faces). But Korean Dramas are
even more extreme. Someone is ALWAYS angry,
crying, sad, and/or dying. They are SO
CHEESY! But, I will say, on any given
day, one might be playing in a restaurant or on a bus and it is VERY
entertaining to “dub” them with a friend.
You should hear what we come up with.
 |
| I have no idea what this one is about but I can make up one heck of a story about it. |
2
Commercials: If you watch the commercials here, ½ the time you have no idea what they are advertising (what does a talking radish
have to do with a phone plan?) or you have no idea WHY they are advertising
that (and in that way). When I got over
the futility of the commercials to me, I found them to be quite comical.
(Top: Yea, you were thinking it...especially on the slow-mo's. O.o
Bottom: We definitely don't advertise ice cream like THIS back home.)
3
Cafés: I am not really an avid coffee drinker
and if I was Stateside, you probably wouldn’t find me in a Starbucks (or
anything similar) for service or hanging out.
But here it is possible to stand on the corner of a street and see four
different chains at one intersection.
Eventually, you make time for the cafés and it becomes a bit of your social norm.
4
Dogs:
I
LOVE dogs…but not “purse dogs;” you know, the dogs that never walk, but just
get carried. Those are pointless to
me. But here, usually only foreigners
have bigger dogs (a bulldog is considered big here). I was slightly annoyed with people carrying
dogs, but when you see all the little cute doggie clothing they dress them in
(and occasionally they dye their fur some neon colors), you can’t help but say
“Awww…”
  | |
| TOP: Even dogs get to wear "hanboks"--traditional Korean clothing (As seen on weddinggraphics.xanga.com) BOTTOM: Not uncommon to see a dog that looks like it's been playing with a hi-lighter. The owner usually looks really reserved, too. |
5 Konglish: Korean-English can frustrate a native
speaker:
BUT, there are times where it is REALLY funny. I often search for Konglish
and/or English translation merchandise just so I can get a quick laugh.
 | |
| I don't want any "butt cheese" at all! I don't care if it's American! | (As seen on: "Quilly in Kowea") |
 |
| Could you tell this was about "Dirty Dancing"? |
6
The
Staring: Sometimes it is
innocent and you can see the curiosity in their eyes, but other times it is
condescending and flat out RUDE.
Originally I was quite offended, but now I just imagine all of Korea is
a catwalk. If I catch you staring, get ready for the show. I’m about to think I’m
Naomi, and I might even wink/blow you a kiss.
Now who’s uncomfy? ;-)
7 “Can you…?”: Although their intentions are good, I absolutely HATE when Koreans ask:
“Can you eat spicy food?” (No, if I eat
it, it will cause my body to combust.
-_-)
“Can you use chopsticks?” (Not at all,
not even to style my hair. I don’t understand these mystical sticks.” -_-)
So now I reply to them with:
“Can you eat a hamburger?” or
“Can you use a fork?”
When they think my question is absurd,
my point has been made and life goes on. :-)
8
“Where
are you from…Africa?”:
Now
don’t me wrong, I don’t see my skin color’s association with the Motherland as
an insult. I embrace it. (But, as a Black American, if you say I’m
African, where exactly am I from? In
reality, if you say I’m an African-American, does that mean I’m like Obama with
1 African parent, or Charlize Theron, a S. African native?) The reason Koreans think I am African is for no other reason than that I am not White.
Whoaaaa…since when is America monochromatic? Then whenever Koreans put anything about
Africa in their media, it is usually derogatory in some way. So in some cases, a person calling me African
might mean it as a slight. No need in
getting mad anymore. I just ask them “Are
you from Japan?”** and that usually settles it.
9
Korean
hierarchy: This Confusionist culture is
admirable. I wish Americans respected
and looked out for each other more like Koreans do, especially in when it comes
to education. You should see the complete authority that a Korean co-teacher demonstrates in our classes. With that being said, there are times that as
a foreign English teacher, nobody tells you anything and it all pertains to
you! Then if you do find out, they only
tell you ½ truths, and at the last minute, all the while not including your
input. Fortunately, as time goes on you
learn how to beat the system and to navigate “the Korean way.”
10
Walking
Everywhere: There have been
times that because of #9, I ended up going on long hikes in sandals. Honestly, if I had tennis shoes, I’m not sure
how much better off I would have been.
It’s a little shameful how out of breath I was getting. But now I am used to it and I feel
healthier. Plus my legs look amazing!
;-)
11
Being
Told To Go To The Hospital:
In
America, especially for someone who can’t afford to take off work and/or does
not have insurance, we only go to the hospital if it’s an ABSOLUTE
NECESSITY. The first few times someone
forced me to go to the hospital here, I thought there would be major problems
because of the language barrier, and that it would cost me an arm and a
leg. In both cases I have been
wrong. Most doctors speak quite a bit of
English, no matter the city. Also, I
have been to the ER, gotten a prescription, and had an ultrasound done and had
a follow-up visit when my lymph nodes were swollen and all of that cost a
little over $100 (without insurance).
Plus it only took about 30minutes!
So now if I even THINK I’m getting sick, it’s off to the hospital I go!
Why not?
 |
| Koreans often LEAVE the hospital and go around town just like this. (As seen on: lauraeff.tumblr.com) |
12
Shopping
Difficulties: Back home, you
can try on almost anything before you buy it.
Here? NO. In fact, many places sell “Free Size”
clothing so you can either fit that one, or none at all. Considering I’m not built like the average
Korean woman, this would irritate me and I would often end up buying something
that had I been able to try on, I would have put back. But now I shop like a pro. I walk in, check the price, hold it up to my
body, then buy it. I also have become
less materialistic. Some things I can’t
even buy here (like shoes for instance) and I am ok with only using what I have
over and over, after all, see #6.
 |
| I mastered the art of shopping and shopping as art. ;-) |
**If
you don’t know the history between Japan and Korea, please research it. In short, to associate them with anything
Japanese is a bad idea and vice versa.
***Many of the links used in this post are from two of my favorite comical sites about expat life in Korea. One is called "Dear Korea: a random comic made by a random expat" and the other is "#kikinitinkorea" Please support these two! They are good laughs and VERY accurate.
***Many of the links used in this post are from two of my favorite comical sites about expat life in Korea. One is called "Dear Korea: a random comic made by a random expat" and the other is "#kikinitinkorea" Please support these two! They are good laughs and VERY accurate.
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