I LOVE Korea

So I needed to get Korea out of my system. And I can finally say that I think I got it out of my system. (And my English is going down the toilet...or I haven't blogged in so long that I lost my "touch".) Maybe some of you have heard some of my complaints. Actually, I'm a habitual complainer so you might have disregarded the seriousness of this fall out. But I will tell you for sure that I am no longer enthralled by this country and what it has to offer.

(Right now, I'm eavesdropping on a conversation where the lawyer is talking about how a client asked her to set his daughter up with a lawyer...and they're talking about a prospect who is not single and is short! Awesome. She's scanning the picture of the girl to send to the lawyer. This is ridiculous. I LOVE KOREA.)

I think a lot of Korean-Americans (I might be wrong) have this unresolved nostalgia for the motherland. I think this condition (yes, it's a condition) gets exacerbated when one goes for short and sweet visits that are a gross misrepresentation of the country and its people.

List of my grievances (I feel my blood pressure rising as I type them.)

1. When you're in this country to spend money, everyone will treat you like a prince(ss). But when there is anything that you need from anyone in this country, you will have to scream for it. They will never provide what you need unless you specifically and repeatedly ask for it (them). Nothing is free in this country and those things that are "free," you will have to SCREAM for. I love Korea.

2. A minority...but a very large one...will never follow the rules and thus make it that much harder for the majority to follow the rules. 30% of the people will always walk on the wrong side of the street/subway/road/whatever causing the rest of us to bump into them and get annoyed. I love Korea.

3. People on the streets will try to scam you...and even when you seem disinterested continue to stalk you (even if you have your headphones on and didn't give a single glance their way). I love Korea.

4. It is very very very hard to eat alone in this country. Everyone including the waiting staff will judge you for even thinking about eating alone. WTF. I love Korea.

5. People do not respect private space. They will not apologize if they bump into you. They do not react at all when you glare at them. Men always stand a little too close to you on the train and they will blow smoke your way on the streets. I love Korea.

6. People have no problem asking how much you make and have no qualms about commenting on your weight. I really love Korea.

7. Taxi drivers always tell you what they think. Ummm...I never asked and do not care? (Solution: talk to someone on the phone for the entire ride...in English.) Love Korea.



Ok, I have a lot of good stuff too...but getting the bad stuff out of my system. Good list tomorrow.  I do like being in Korea but I do not love it here. It's a good experience but it has been more educational than enjoyable. But I do love this country...in a sick sort of way. In no way was this entry supposed to be insulting or racist. I am as Korean as a Korean-American can get, afterall.

English going down the toilet.