Take those shoes Off!

I was somewhat prepared for the shoes-off policy in Korean homes from watching such movies as the Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, and Beverly Hills Ninja. While I was not shocked by the fact that this was custom in homes but it is also normal to take your shoes off at restaurants, schools, and even some stores. I can understand the importance of not tracking in the dirt, not to mention the snow and sleet which falls in most of Korea during the winter.

I have yet to experience a Korean winter, although from most peoples accounts, I hear it is pretty mild--especially here in the far south where I am. So, when we arrived, we were told to remove our shoes before entering out apartments. Then, we were scolded by our boss for not removing our shoes when we entered the school. They have a system of cubby cabinets for students/teachers to support the custom. Most students (and I) wear the cheap sandals that slip on. However, some of the teachers wear nice shoes that I can't distinguish from "outside shoes."

At first, I thought that the shoes policy was for cleanliness. However, many a student run outside keeping their "inside" sandals on when leaving the building and running right back into the building. So, the inside sandals are probably better described as school sandals. So why take off the shoes? I'll give you the answer I was given on each of my first days of school: "It is our custom." Can't argue with that.

Judgement: "Eh, its just different."

On the issue of chopsticks

I must first begin with saying that I have my good days and I have my bad days. Today was a good day.

For me, any day where I don't drop food out of my chopsticks is a good day. I often have had more bad days than good days. However, the more I eat in Korea, the more I think the good days are going to wining out. I'm going to have a victory over this strange eastern utensil.

In the States, eating with chopsticks was a novelty. I'd do it with Chinese food or Vietnamese food, or the occasional sushi treat. I always had those wooden chopsticks and I was never very good at it.

In Korea, chopsticks are standard, and they are slick stainless steel. I was amazed at how difficult eating with smooth chopsticks could be. Wooden chopsticks provide grip which keeps food from slipping away. For the first couple of days, I have struggled with my grip, my hands hurt from the increased demand on the muscles, and I dropped a lot of food. A lot of food.

Although I spend meal times daily working on chopsticking food, I still drop a lot of food. My fellow teacher did actually compliment me on my chopsticks skills yesterday! I thought they were just placating me until I watched one of the Korean teachers. She's probably in her forties. She leaned over and said, "I think you use chopsticks well." I smiled, and watched her eat. She was much much better then me, but not perfect either. Oh well I guess this is going to be an uphill battle. 

While my chopstick skills are improving, there have been a couple things that have made life here easier.

1. It is okay to "stab" some things with your chopsticks
2. Not only is it okay to eat rice with a spoon, up until about twenty years ago, it was considered rude not to eat rice with a spoon
3. If you drop something, pretend you meant to do it. This is much easier if the food lands on your plate. Pretend you are experimenting. I have seen many Korean put random side dishes in their soup.
4. If you are having a "bad day" say this phrase with a big smile, a tilt of the head, and shrug of the shoulders, "Waygook saram ahyeahyo". It means "I'm a foreigner."

Inflight Thoughts

Okay so I couldn't find a wi-fi hotspot in the Chicago airport so this was written during travel and is a few days late.... I wanted to share a few things that have made me laugh already. First, I was *treated* to an in-air snack on my Cinci- Chicago flight. It consisted of a little cup of juice and biscuit called a "Biscoff." It tasted like something between a vanilla wafer and an animal cracker. Nothing special, right? Well, I turned the wrapper over and not only were there instructions on how to order these biscuits for yourself, but also an offer for sky miles! Delta must really think their snack biscuits are something special.

The other thing: when I was doing some research about Asiana Airlines, I came across some pictures of their stewardesses on their website. They look like normal stewardesses who model on the side--once you get past their funky scarf-neck things. Anyway, I forgot all about it. Then, about five minutes ago, I saw a stewardess in person--and they are for real. And those scarves are every bit as stiff and they look in the picture. On the other hand Asiana Airlines offers free beer and wine the whole 14 hour flight, so I'm going to try and drink back the price of my ticket. Oh wait I didn't pay for my ticket. Oh well... Cheers!!!

Off to start a new life in a new land.

I am off to the land of the Morning Calm, to a place where everyone will be shorter then me, have dark hair, and speak a funny language that I can't even pretend to understand. I have been emailing, notarizing, copying, mailing, calling, and interviewing for months now, and have finally received my plane ticket for the 20th. Now all that is left to do is everything. I hope you enjoy reading my posts and laughing at me make a fool of myself on my journy to the other side of the world. Cheers.