Hello again, and a belated 새해복많이 받으세요 ('Happy New Year') to everyone! I know I'm nearly two weeks late on that one, but it is what it is. Actually, I was mid-way through a special Lunar New Year post, sitting on my girlfriend's uncle's couch on that Friday, but never finished, due to a family trip to the local 찜질방, but we'll get to that later.
First things first, with Valentine's Day right around the corner (one of many, many 'couple' days here in Korea, but one that my country recognizes, as well), Korean company 아름다운 가게 has started selling it's fair-trade chocolate bars at the local Family Mart stores. Bravo! I don't want to be the obnoxious social activist who pushes ideals on unsuspecting readers, but if you know a thing or two about the chocolate industry, you just may want to consider how you show your sweet side this holiday. I'm just saying.
Now back to other matters...
For those of you who don't already know, Korean culture and life is in some ways a complete 180-degree turn away from life back home. I know what some are you are thinking right now, 'Thank you, Mr. Observant Genius-Face!' Don't worry, I know you already know that. I'm not trying to downplay anyone's intelligence. I'm just trying to state the obvious to eventually reach my point. Which is this: Adjustment to life here isn't always easy, and sometimes it is seemingly impossible to please those around you. But don't fret! It's not impossible. Putting your foreignness aside, I have devised one difficult, extremely complex method for effectively making people like you.
Are you ready...
Do what Korean people do.
Astonishing! Groundbreaking! Mind blowing! Pure genius! Thank you, thank for your kind words. I know I'm brilliant (sarcasm hopefully noted), but let me explain a little further.
Koreans can be extreme. I'm not trying to pass judgement or anything. That's just the way it is, and most people here (Korean or foreign, alike) know it. Take it one step further, and they assume that foreigners (such as yours truly) can't handle some of the extremes that they take as everyday life. Take, for example, the food. Korean food is very unique, and admittedly, some foreigners have a really tough time swallowing it (literally). That's a shame, though, because the food is one of my favorite things about living here. Anyway, a lot of this food is incredibly, ungodly spicy. At times it can be hard to handle even for people who like spicy food, but if you can manage to eat it, BAM! You've made friends. Yes, there's those initial uncomfortable 'Wow! Look! A foreigner!' looks, but once you've shown the people around you that you're just like them, you've escaped the monkey show. It doesn't even have to be spicy, though. Koreans are very proud of their food, so just eat up, eat well, and try everything that is placed in front of you, and you'll be loved.
Or take another example that I came across during the lunar new year holiday. As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, I went to a traditional bamboo sauna near 광주 during our stay. While sitting in the hottest room with my girlfriend's dad and about 10 total strangers, this scene was played out.
(to my girlfriend's dad) 'Wow! A foreigner'
(grunting in acknowledgement)
'We don't see foreigners around these parts much'
'Yeah, especially in this hot room'
'Usually, they prefer the cooler ones'
'Yeah, he's like a Korean'
(to me) 'Are you okay?'
'Yeah, I'm fine'
'One time we were in here, and a few foreigners poked their heads in. They gasped at the heat, and immediately turned around and walked out.'
(everyone laughs)
'Most foreigner can't handle it, but he's different'
(again, to me) 'Are you sure you're okay?'
'Yeah, I like it.'
'Wow!'
'Seriously, are you okay?'
'Yes.'
'We like you!'
So maybe that's not exactly what happened, and it really wasn't that hot, but I think you can get my point. I could just as easily been just like 'those other foreigners' and walked out. But I didn't, and I scored some points with the locals (and more importantly, the boss). Simple as that.
So that's it. Pretty simple. Try it, and soon those cries of '외국인!' will be replaced with the more friendly '한국 사람이 다 됐어요.' Congratulations!
P.S. It helps if you can say more than a few words in the local tongue, too.
잠깐만,
싸질러불랑께...
***
아! 참말로 시원혀잉...
A few final thoughts on the topic of hot things before I go:
- Why is it that all male Korean pop idols are starting to go with this post-Apocalypse Michael Jackson look? So many black suits and silver gloves. So much black eye shadow. Too many read lights, monster-like dance moves, and flames! Lots of flames! Hot, but in a much different sense than what the girl groups are after.
- I like how houses here are heated by running hot water under the floor.
- The weather was quite nice there during the holiday and for a few days after. It's freezing again. Come on, Mr. Groundhog. You said winter was nearly over!
That's all for now. Thanks for reading!
Have a 허벌나게 Happy Valentine's Day! 오저요!
-스티브
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