The other day I went out for a beer with my Korean friend Heather. In Korea when you go to a place to sit down and have a beer you also order food to go along with it. So, I was with Heather and her boyfriend and we ordered the BBQ salad platter, which was 7 "sausages" (mix between a brat and a hot dog) and a small side salad. It was rather tasty but I wasn't too hungry. We each tried a bottle of beer from different areas on the world (I chose a Heinekin) and then enjoyed some conversation. I learned the word for "cool" in Korean (Dae-bok) and was told to practice my pronunciation. :-) While we were sitting enjoying our sausages the man that was grilling brought us a nice plate of chicken wings and grilled shrimp... a service (free) for the foreigner. He continued to bring us a couple more shrimp and a roasted chestnut as well, all for free.
People wonder why I like Korea... some have asked if I hate America. No, I don't hate America... but let me tell you, America sure doesn't treat me as well as Korea! In Korea people consistently tell me I'm beautiful. They look at me with awe... or sometimes wonder. I'm pretty because my skin is pale. My blue eyes are extremely rare... If I try to speak Korean, even thought I'm HORRIBLE! I'm always given the thumbs up and told "good!" How could I not love Korea? Today I went to the bank to fix my information so I can wire some money home, and I was taken to the VIP section. :-) Yes indeed... in Korea, for some strange reason, I'm a VIP.
So, this posting is multipurpose... one- just so everyone knows, I love Korea. I really do. I'd love to have you come visit so you can love Korea too!
But secondly... as a foreigner in Korea I am treated with high honor and respect. Even though my Korean sucks, I'm consistently encouraged and people are always trying to be helpful to me. Korea knows how to treat foreigners.
How do you treat foreigners? When you run into someone who doesn't speak English perfectly, are you patient with them? Do you try to understand them? Do you try to help them learn? Are you kind? America is so different than Korea. Korea cares about others. (Not to make the huge generalization that America doesn't, but there is a HUGE lack!) One thing that really does bother me in America is that it is so ME focused... the general anthem is "I need to worry about me"... "gotta look out for Numbero Uno"... what's your attitude? Are you caring about others? Do you go out of your way to help? Or are you too busy with the tasks of everyday life to care?
When I'm lost in Seoul, numerous times I've asked for directions and instead of just telling me where or how, complete strangers go out of their way to SHOW me exactly where I need to go... they walk the extra mile to make sure that I get there safely. I can't think of a situation where I have done that.
Thank you Korea for loving me :-) I promise to return the favor :-)
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