Hello everyone! I've been stuck at home for the last month with baby Tyson. We will get out more once our routine is set. Right now I'm just too tired to do much of anything outside of nursing him, cooking, cleaning, and getting the occasional shower... I thought I would share what I've learned about Korea so far in the past 2 1/2 months I've been here.
1. The Men.
Korean men I've met are humble, kind, and helpful. They are incredibly hard working too! Something I've learned was how they seem to treasure babies. When my landlord has come to our house or other maintenance men, when they see Ty their eyes light up light Christmas! It melts my heart.
On another note, I've witnessed men peeing in the open in front of God and every body - which is apparently normal here. I've also seen almost every man above the age of about 25 wear suit and tie everywhere and every man under 25 wear skinny jeans, scarves, man-bags, and beanies. They are all quite funny.
2. The Women.
I haven't noticed too much about their demeanor's however their fashion sense is notable;
Middle aged/older Korean women walk around with over-permed poofy shorter hair with huge saucer visors. They wear bright mismatched outfits and they are usually pushing something around as well. Korean younger girls are so beautiful with their dainty clothes with lace and flowers. They are usually wearing heels and tights. I love their style. Every Korean girl also has to have a "prada," "gucci," or "coach" bag. I wish their clothes came in my size too :*(
Oh! There's no bigger plus-size Koreans. I haven't seen one. Not one.
3. Driving in Korea
If you can drive in Korea, you can drive anywhere on Earth. It is the scariest thing ever! They have no regard for traffic signs and almost get into wrecks all the time. I'm so glad I haven't witnessed one though. I think to me they seem like horrible drivers but really, they're just a bunch of really good ones living on the edge weaving in and out of traffic and almost ending lives at every turn. What a rush.
4. Riding the bus in Korea
I had a death grip on the seat in front of me with a look of terror for the whole 30 minutes I was on the "20" bus. Koreans happily got on and off looking so nonchalant with their smart phones and ear plugs barely glancing up to see which seat to take. Meanwhile I'm opening and closing my eyes with my mouth open in horror as I watched the bus duck and dodge traffic and pedestrians honking the whole way. It was insanity.
5. Pedestrians.
They have a death wish. Every single one of them. They wander out into traffic as if they have the holy protecting hand of God around them. I've seen so many close calls here in Korea!
6. Trash.
For some reason Koreans haven't quite grasped the way to handle trash here. There are no public trashcans and I have to stash trash I do collect when out and about in my bag to take home to throw away. You have to take your trash to the road to have it picked up so there's stray dogs and cats digging away and wind blowing it all over the place once the bags are opened. I've never seen so much litter.
7. Dogs.
Growing up I always heard that Koreans like to eat Dogs. I've since discovered that this is not true. In some places, yes, but it is considered taboo and not common at all. Plus it is very expensive. On the contrary to the belief that Koreans hate dogs, they are everywhere! There are a lot of pet shops and people with their little dogs walking around. There are also a lot of stray dogs as well....kept fat and happy by the stray trash mentioned in #6.
8. Korean "Engrish"
This is in a poster in my bathroom:
"When we are in Love, we love the grass and the light poles." - anonymous for good reason
This is on my mouse pad at work:
"You are the one, makes me smile, I like you, just you are." - anonymous
Korean "English" is cool to them. There are many random English signs throughout Korea that have left me just as confused as the Korean ones...maybe more so.
