My talk with Vitaly, who I have failed to see while I have been here, inspired this post today. He told me something that fits Korean culture and society perfectly. Apparently, there is no direct equivalent of the word 'rational' in the Korean language. If I hadn't lived here for a year, I would have laughed it off as merely a harsh joke. Instead I laughed hysterically for how true it seems. What makes it so easy to believe is the way that Koreans operate and think. A friend of mine who has lived here for near close to a decade once said, they grow up on Confucian values. Their logical reasoning is much different than how we think. And if you lived here then you would understand why.
Let me line up a few examples for you.
-- Women, even at the age of 35, have curfews. I don't think I've had a curfew since my junior year of high school. But you will be out partying with a woman, who likes to drink and get down (as she might have done with one of her employees), and she will have to leave at midnight to make it home in time for her curfew. At least you know this party whore has traditional family values.
Believe me they are all about their families here. It's great to see. But it's, also, to the point of nepotism. The family who owns Samsung also runs the other major companies because they are related. I'm not saying this because they are all named Kim or Park (but they are). They are nepotistic. They appoint their family members in the top posts. And they control the government to an extent much akin to how major conglomerates and industries help their 'man' make it to the hill in D.C. So, we aren't too different in that sense. But politics in Korea is whack. I won't get into it. They could probably get their fraudulent brother out of daily on pardon. Sadly, I don't think they would let me marry into the biz.
-- The superficiality and double standards. I really don't need to make light of the superficial nature of many Koreans. It's not applicable directly to Confucian rationale. But it does demonstrate their priorities. The superficiality can be a bit shallow. But, hey, I'm white and I'm tall so it works out for me. As for the double standards it can be really strange at times. They think Western women look like whores because they have low cut shirts and dresses exposing their cleavage. But it's ok to show off your legs all the way up to a 1/4 of your ass at the same time rock high heels. It's hot. But I think Dave Chapelle would agree that's a whore's uniform just the same as dropping your tits out the front of your shirt like melons on display.
-- The strange way of doing and thinking about things. The little nuances and backwards way of thinking that make them geniuses and morons at the same time. Koreans have thought up some amazing inventions. At the same time they do some of the most backwards, irrational things I have ever seen. Most of the time it's the little things you witness during daily life. When you walk into a store, they have plastic bags to wrap you umbrella in so you don't drip water all over the floors. BRILLANT. On the other hand, I have never seen a line in Korea except to get into a bar. They just push to the front. They don't even know what side of the walkway to walk on. They just walk without any order at all. Then stop without provocation (my biggest pet peeve). I will mow you down, Ajuma. Watch yourself.
I could probably write a college thesis on the history and analysis of how and why they walk willynilly style and how it relates to their thought pattern.
These are but a few things that make up why the idea that Koreans don't have a literal translation for the word 'rational' is so awfully fitting and so very different from the way we think.
But I don't want to bash Korea. Because unlike my friend Tony Stevens, who said any expat who lives here for their life is a loser, I love Korea and Koreans.
I won't miss the drunk man punching me in the stomach or yelling at me in Korean because I am speaking on the subway.
I will miss the short skirts and fit birds.
I won't miss Cass, O.B., and Hite. Blegh. (I heard they use formaldehyde)
I will miss being a rock star at my job and on the street.
I won't miss the old men awkwardly staring at my face from a foot away without a hi or hello.
I will miss the kindness so many Koreans have shown me since the day I arrived. It's been amazing. But now what am I going to do? Take a deep breath (a very deep breath of Seattle breath) and enjoy my home.
So, I bid you a fond farewell Korea. One day, I will return to your peninsula. If only for a short time.
Best wishes,
Justin Teacher
P.S. Dad, I know it doesn't answer your continual nagging. So, let me alleviate this question for about 30 others. I'm going to study and go back to school. Any job I can attain back home right now is not worth it if I plan to improve my life. Time for me to incur some more educational debt.Woo...
P.S.S. I've got a hot case of the fever. HOT HOT HOT ouch. I could really use some parity.
yay welcome back
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