The Been Briefing

random observations from living in korea

1. korean women don't know the meaning of "bumming it." it is the norm to wear heels (with anything, mind you, but usually with the whole get-up)... usually a skirt, a lacy/frilly top, and a fair amount of make-up. i do believe a friend and teacher at church called the style 'victorian throw-up" ... but the possibilities to bash korean female fashion are endless and should therefore, probably be left largely unsaid. lol 
2. very few people wear braces. or have ever heard of Crest White strips. i think i'll be blinded when i return to the states. 
3. korean bathrooms are a cultural experience all their own. the likelihood of toilet paper in the public bathrooms is uncertain; sometimes it's there, but usually it's not. i have learned to keep a pack of tissues (just 500won ~ 50cents at a subway or convenience store) on hand for emergencies. and then there's the squatty potties. i wanted to post a picture of one, but then realized it would probably not be a very appealing shot. i've gotten pretty good at using them, though. and another thing - koreans are afraid to flush the toilet paper, so there are usually trash cans right next to the potty for soiled TP. yes, friends, yes. it's disgusting, i know... but.... WELCOME TO KOREA. (^.^) 
4. the age and hierarchical gap is a big deal. it's all about being on the same level with people, so koreans join as many clubs and groups as possible to increase their spheres of equal footing. you don't hang out with or marry someone who is too far above/below you. and this is reflected in their language, too (how they address each other, etc.) 
5. the concept of a line is foreign here. they don't know how to... or don't care about forming a clear line, where one person finishes and the others in the line wait calmly and patiently for their turns. so yeah, all those lessons your kindergarten teacher taught you about staying in line while walking through your school do you NO GOOD WHATSOEVER in getting your subway tickets or checking in your card at the YMCA. so go ahead, stick those elbows out and PUSH your way through. be as RUDE as you like, and you'll just be one of the crowd. 
6. traffic lights are more like suggestions to most drivers here. 'red' is the new 'green' ... or didn't you know?! 
7. pizza toppings have taken on a whole new meaning. try mustard and corn and potato slices.... all on the same pizza. oh yeah. yummy. and a whole pizza - sometimes pushing $25 or $30. phew! 
8. confucian thinking still undergirds most korean behavior. younger must respect and defer to older. if a halmoni (grandmother) gets on the bus and there is no available seat, i need to get out of mine and give it to her. everyone is bowing to everyone, and i've seen some pretty DEEP bows from little kids. it's HILARIOUS. also, so much more is left unsaid... it is inferred instead. i've gotten pretty good at reading what koreans are implying and learning how to - basically - communicate as they do... without actually learning their language. lol.

and that's all for now, folks.