1. Side Dishes
In many countries, you have to pay additional money for side dishes. In Korea, you just pick an entree then watch silly amounts of dishes appear around you. Pictured below is a meal I had at a bus terminal. I paid about $4.00 for one bowl of soup, and this is what the waitress brought me. I thought it was a joke. I literally laughed in this poor woman's face when I saw the tray.
2. Fashion is like, OMG, like, so different here.
Especially for women. Showing too much arm or upper body is heavily frowned upon, and you will rarely see any Mateen Cleaves. That being said, It's perfectly normal and acceptable to see girls with their entire legs out, even in the dead of winter. It looks like this:
You can't tell by the picture, but she is also wearing 3 shirts and a turtleneck. Her name is Sarah.
3. Noraebangs
"Noraebang" "Bang" means "room" in Korean, and these rooms are specifically made for singing with groups of people. The best part about noraebangs are the music videos that make no sense. There will be a sad song playing, but on the screen a rabbit wearing sunglasses will be juggling dice in a field.
4. PC-Bangs
PC-bangs are giant computer rooms found all over the country which offer cheap access to the internet. These rooms are frequented by gamers, as online gaming is very popular in Korea. Some people spend a tremendous amount of time in these rooms. For example, not too long ago a mother was charged after her child died of neglect while she was on a gaming binge at a PC-bang.
5. Jimjilbangs
Net Brewski at a Wongju jimjilbang. These public bath houses are great alternatives to hotels. You pay $5-10, go take laps in a whirlpool, maybe have a random guy try to scrub you down, then explore themed rooms.
You get a sleeping mat, a locker, and a large man to sleep next to. Some fancier jimjilbangs provide food and entertainment. There is no check in or check out, instead guests come and go as they please during all hours of the day.
I've only had one bad jimjilbang experience, and it's because I slept next to the snacks freezer and everyone decided to get ice cream at 7 a.m.
You get a sleeping mat, a locker, and a large man to sleep next to. Some fancier jimjilbangs provide food and entertainment. There is no check in or check out, instead guests come and go as they please during all hours of the day.
I've only had one bad jimjilbang experience, and it's because I slept next to the snacks freezer and everyone decided to get ice cream at 7 a.m.
6. This dog lives in Korea.
Doesn't have much to do with Korea, I just like this dog.
Doesn't have much to do with Korea, I just like this dog.
7. This dog lives here too.
I personally like the black one better, and if you don't agree with me then you need to stop being so racist.
I personally like the black one better, and if you don't agree with me then you need to stop being so racist.
8. It's hard to teach something you are not passionate about.
It might make me a terrible person but I have to admit it. I am not passionate about the letters A-G. Teaching elementary level English doesn't typically involve the most stimulating topics, and one challenge as a teacher is not only keeping your students interested, but keeping yourself interested as well.
9. All Foreigners in Korea are trying to give everyone AIDS.
At least according to this news story, featured by the broadcasting network MBC.
10. Campaigning is different in Korea.
I don't know about you guys, but I got reeaally into the Uljin elections this year. It was hard not to, because giant trucks drive around all day using robot voices to just repeat their candidates name. It didn't seem like they were really mentioning anything about politics, just kind of brainwashing voters through repetition. The trucks were then converted into stages where uniformed supporters would dance, sing, and chant.
11. There is an obsession with English, even if it's
make really bads English.
make really bads English.
Speaking English here tends to extend beyond the educational realm, and almost seems like a cultural trend. Unfortunately trends are not always good. Here are some examples of the lingual hybrid known as "Konglish."
I can't tell if this site is serious or not, and it's definitely weird, but it at least has some solid Konglish: http://koreaisbest.com/.
12. I am going to get Diabetes.
There is free or cheap croffee everywhere in Korea. It seems like every business, restaurant, or public facility has a croffee machine near the entrance. The problem is it's not real croffee, basically just pure sugar. I enjoy an average of 4 per day.
13. You choose your hairstyle out of a "Book of Celebrities."
At my last hair appointment the guy was standing right over my shoulder so I got nervous and pointed to Roberty Downey Jr.. The next day at school my students said the hair cut gave me soccer ball face.
14. All the homeless people in Korea live in their houses.
In a society based largely on respect and status, it's rare to find people living the vagabond lifestyle. Of course being homeless isn't always a choice, but it seems as though even the less fortunate find ways to shelter themselves. The only negative side of this is the great conversations I'm missing out on. Many homeless people are very interesting to talk to.
I've also noticed very few people with disabilities in Korea, and I don't know enough to really speculate on this. There is one friendly gentleman in my town who may possess some form of mild disability. He always stops to tell me that "America number 1, Korea number 7!".
I thought he arbitrarily chose "7" until a conversation I had with a Canada person named Rich. Rich has lived here for a couple years, and confirmed this gentleman always mentions Korea as number 7. Never number 1, Never number 6. Always number 7.
I've also noticed very few people with disabilities in Korea, and I don't know enough to really speculate on this. There is one friendly gentleman in my town who may possess some form of mild disability. He always stops to tell me that "America number 1, Korea number 7!".
I thought he arbitrarily chose "7" until a conversation I had with a Canada person named Rich. Rich has lived here for a couple years, and confirmed this gentleman always mentions Korea as number 7. Never number 1, Never number 6. Always number 7.
15. Conclusions are unnecessary.
