Things I've Noticed About Korea..

WARNING: This is bound to be a long list, as I am a naturally observant person.. so beware!

- Chopsticks here are thin, round and metal.. not thick, wooden an square like back home.
- Red lights are just a recommendation. Drivers do not have to stop at them if there is no one coming and they are able to go. Because of this, jaywalking is super illegal.
- About 90% of the clothes Koreans wear have English writing all over them.
- Nothing, not groceries, dinners, gym memberships or clothing has a set price. Everything is haggle-able.
- Tipping is considered rude.
- When Koreans take a shot, they almost never take the whole shot, but only half or just a sip. To take the whole shot is called "cowboying" for obvious reasons.
- Soju is the drink of Korea like vodka is for Russia or Ozzu is for Greece.
- Almost everything is open 24 hours. Bars especially never close, Businessmen will get off of work, get hammered at dinner, and then hit the gym or the billiards club.
- Billiards is like pool (they call pool "pocket ball") except there are only 5 balls, including the cue, and no pockets. The man that owns the place I play pool at explained the rules to me once, but it was so odd/dumb that I honestly didn't bother remembering.
- There is rice with every meal. And kimchi.
- Bread hardly exists and is wicked expensive when you can find it.
- Koreans think they invented Dunken Doughnuts and you can literally find one on every corner. I haven't had the heart to tell them that it's American. All the stores might get shut down if that gets around.
- The Korean word for foreigner is "waygook". Insert shock and uncomfortable feeling here.
- Sponge Bob and Michael Jackson are hands down the two cultural icons of this country. However, The Simpsons trail closely.
- Women here are hardly physically active. It seems to be a cultural exception for women to work out or play sports, although it is seen occasionally. With that in mind, my co-workers have concluded that I am obviously insane.
- Besides students, I have seen a total of 4 Koreans in sweat pants since I got here. Koreans, both men and women equally, constantly dress to impress. No matter the weather, destination or event, they are always dressed in their Sunday best.
- 85% of the entire population of South Korea have cell phones. In Seoul, the percentage is almost 10% more. Nearly every person you see on the subway has a phone out listening to music, watching a video, texting, playing a game, watching TV, talking on it or surfing the web.. and I thought Americans were bad!
- Koreans measure in kilometers and kilograms. Between that conversion and trying to figure out what time it is back home, I do math far more than I would like.
- Little boys can punch little girls and no one seems to find that odd, even in upper elementary and middle school.
- Koreans, both men and women, are very touchy-feely. Women walk arm-in-arm or hand-in-hand quite often, and not just little girls.. women of all ages. The men are the same, except for the hand holding.. super touchy-feely.
- Older men and women or the elderly are considered extremely important in Korean culture. Even though, in my experience so far, they tend to be grouchy and mean, they are to always be respected. They even have their own seats on every subway car that only old people are allowed to sit in. My grandma would love it!
- If you don't like spice, don't eat anything that is red or has red sauce on it. Even though it might look JUST like marinara sauce.. it isn't.
- Korean heating systems come from the floor up and are not air circulated like at home. This makes for some really toasty feet and an excellent way to dry socks.
- Korea has the best fruits and vegetables of any country ever. Sensational.
- There are many places where you must take your shoes off or put slippers on. So, if you suffer from Athlete's Foot, don't come here.
- Korea is one of the most materialistic/vain countries in the world. They are one of the top 3 countries in the world for plastic surgery and brag about/encourage it. So, Real Housewife ladies, head here for a discount!
- Koreans will show a ton of leg, but not any chest or shoulders. I'm starting to think that this is because most Korean women are flat chested.. so clearly, I fit in well here.
- A business permit is not required in any way to set up a stand or sell things. Anyone can set up any where and sell whatever they'd like. I'm thinking of selling Four Lokos in the subway. It would knock Soju on it's ass for sure!
- Puffy jackets like Mary McFly from "Back To The Future" or Puff Daddy from the 90's seem to be ridiculously in style here.. like, TOO much. Investing in those would be a stock that never fell.
- Students with Autism or learning disabilities are intermixed with the regular classroom 90% of the week, and sometimes more. They are obviously not on the same level as their classmates, and only the worst cases receive special attention, while the rest just get lost in the confusion. At first I spoke out with great question and concern about this, but I've learned that it isn't just my school, but the Korean education system in general. Sounds to me like it's time for an educational reform.
- Koreans build up, not out, which leads to very tall buildings, big cities and so many businesses in a small area.. which is SO helpful.
- My biggest gripe with Korea so far is the no drying machine bit. Hang drying clothes is simply ridiculous. Just about the only places with dryers are laundry mats or dry cleaners. Luckily, both are located withing 3 blocks of my house. Otherwise, I'd be a big, wrinkled mess!
- There are no Red Bulls or Monsters or Rockstars anywhere. Instead, there is coffee in a can or, the old fashioned way, in a cup. So, please send me 5 Hour Energies. My body is about to start experiencing withdrawals.
- Being in a relationship is part of a key social status that places you far above those who are lowly, single people. My first week, a student in every class asked if I had a boyfriend or was married. When I said "no", even the little kids seemed sad/disappointed in me. It was like they were in cahoots with my mom or something. Get off my back, kids. Single life is the shit!
- The videos we use in class feature an athletic white boy, a black boy, an Asian boy, an Asian girl, a blonde white girl and a super fat white girl. What are you trying to say, Korean education materials? Americans are either buff dudes, blonde or hella fat? I think the cast of "Jersey Shore", aka our county's mouth piece, would disagree with you.
- I have yet to find an English printed book, and trust me, I've looked. Clearly getting a Kindle was a superb idea. Thanks, family!
- You will find more people here wearing glasses than at a librarian convention. Genetically, Koreans have horrible eye sight. Oddly, optometry is free.
- The money looks like Monopoly money and comes in 1's, 5's, 10's, 50's and 100's. Tough to get use to.. still looks fake to me.
- The public transportation is sensational. The subway is about 82 cents a ride and the bus is about 75 cents a ride. To ride either, you must have what's called a "T-Pass", which is a plastic card that you swipe to enter the subway terminals and when stepping on the bus. If every city's public transportation was like this, the world would be a far less stressful place.
- South Koreans don't enjoy talking about North Korea. Everyone I've tried talking to about it either seems incredibly uncomfortable or dismisses it or both. I cannot tell if this is due to fear or hatred, but again, I'm assuming it's both.
- Tattoos are not common in Korean culture. So, I keep my mouth closed about mine. There are tattoo parlors around, but doctors are the only people certified to do them. It is considered a type of plastic surgery, which is why I was surprised less people got them since plastic surgery is apparently so cool here.
- It is the job of the students to clean all the classrooms each morning, clap erasers and take care of the garbage. This was very hard to adjust to at first. I felt like I was in 1910 America.
- On a similar note, corporal punishment was still legal here until about 6 months ago.. sounds like I just missed out.
- Koreans have a very "if it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down" policy. This was extremely difficult to get use to.. or abide by.
- In most public places, there are western or traditional toilets in women's restrooms. This was a bit shocking/confusing at first, because traditional toilets are simply porcelain on the ground that you squat over. It feels like camping, but indoors and with actual plumbing.
- Paper towels are rare and air dryers are everywhere.. sucks.
- Recycling here puts Washington to shame. They sort everything in to plastics, papers, metals/aluminum and waste (food products, etc). It isn't something done to be cool or "Go Green". It is just how they live. No exceptions.
- I am fully convinced that many old men in and around Seoul are retired ninjas. There is just no other explanation.
- Korea has one of the world's lowest rate of crime or assaults. Koreans cannot own guns, nor do they carry weapons. Most people don't lock their doors even. Walking around late at night is not a problem here, plus so many people walk the streets all night that it never feels dodgy or unsafe. Muggings are practically non-existent. The biggest risk is probably running in to an obnoxious drunk in public.. but he'll probably just buy you a drink.
- Drinking in any public place is not in any way illegal. Take that, Jarret!
- People on motorcycles or scooters think they own the road worse than Issaquah bikers. I'm somewhat terrified my mom will get a call saying I was run over by a delivery bike for a local chicken and beer (aka Hof) place. For obvious reasons, I'm super cautious of motorbikers.
- All levels of schools are organized in to 6 periods a day, even elementary schools. Recess does not exist here. Kids also come to school on Saturdays. Most students attend "academy" classes on Sundays, which are specialty/extra curricular classes. Clearly, there is a reason Asian countries excel academically over America.
- Even though the Korean flag looks just like the Pepsi logo, there is a ton of Coke and hardly any Pepsi. And, apparently Diet Coke does not exist, but Coke Zero is almost as common as rice.
- Converse shoes are more common here than on emo kids or rock bands back in the states.
- Every single woman wears heals or Converse. Either way, I'm still taller than just about all of them
- Finally, my tiny feet are considered normal. Here, my 6 1/2 is actually some what big!

... I'll ad more as they come to me, but I think this is probably more than enough for now :)