Watching workers as they unload watermelons on the side of the road and then toss them over people’s heads on the sidewalk.
Being greeted with a bow every time I walk into E-mart, and bowing awkwardly back as I mumble ‘ahn-young’.
The trucks that set up shop on the side of the road to sell you an array of items you likely don’t need.
When my students give me the strangest of compliments (or maybe they are insults but I interpret them as compliments) like “Teacher has eyes like cat!” and “Teacher’s shoes look like Egyptian pharaoh!”
Watching a driver drive his car down the sidewalk. (What’s up Daejeon?)
The girls who hike mountains in stilettos – I am not kidding!
The lack of garbage cans in the city which result in me either stuffing my trash in my purse or discreetly dropping it on a street corner where a large pile has already begun to form.
Watching a girl put foundation on her boyfriend, and him acting like it’s the most natural thing.
The random encounters in Itaewon with university art students who want to photograph me scrunching my face, children who want to interview me in English in exchange for a lollipop, and conversations at the Irish pub with the drunk intelligence officer who is clad in a pair of Angry Bird pajama bottoms…
Parents slowing the car down so that their children can yell “Hellooooooo!” and take a good look at the foreigner.
The kind strangers that come to my rescue anytime I stare at the subway map for more than 45 seconds.
Paying for over-ripe produce because I’m not willing to shell out $10 for 6 apples (again).
Making random friends with Korean twenty-somethings on the subway and weighing in on which of the boys has the cutest hair and who wears the nerd glasses best.
Stumbling upon a gathering of older men playing baduk at the park.
When teenagers stop the boy and me on the street to tell us we make one good-looking couple.
–Oh sweet Korea. We’ve been going strong for four months now and yet you still surprise me everyday.–
I loved everything about this list. Especially, the girl putting foundation on her boyfriend. He’s gotta look good too. 🙂 Miss you Audrey.
worth to visit blog, i luv the rawness and color of your photographs. keep it up!
The boy!
Funny!
And are all fruits really expensive in Korea or just apples?
I find that all fruits are waaaay overpriced! The other day I saw a watermelon for just under $20. And don’t get me started on any kind of berry – those are like gold!
The one about foundation on the boyfriend made me chuckle! But really, I admire his courage!
I love your sense of humor!! So good to meet you, Audrey!
Thanks Abby, glad you enjoyed the post. 😀
I always loved the couples that wear matching clothes–it’s always completely obvious that the girl picked the clothes too.
And I can’t forget the guys with purses….not a few, all of them. I always wondered what all they carry around with them that they need one. If I had a purse it would have a single key and a bit of money in it.
And you’re right about the “compliments”–“Teacher, your nose is really big.”
“Yeah, thanks buddy. It’s really nice of you to notice…and point out to everyone. I did grow it myself, though.”
The matching outfits are everywhere! Haha, and it’s always the guy that ends up with the short end of the stick. I mean, pastel coloured sneakers probably weren’t his first choice… 😉
LoL couples with same clothes are quite common also in China.
However I must say Korean girls are much skillful when it comes to climb with high heels
Nice blog ; )
Oh, they love their heels and wedges! I was quite impressed with their ability to hike mountains so gracefully. Now that takes some serious skills!
The garbage can thing drives me WILD! I get so mad when I’ve been walking around carrying my garbage all day and then I just see huge heaps of trash in plants or on the ground. I’m from Seattle and I’m a total tree-hugger back home, it’s sooo hard for me to just throw my trash in a pile on the street!
Oh I am cracking up!!! These are funny observations. My fav though is “The trucks that set up shop on the side of the road to sell you an array of items you likely don’t need.” – because I feel like every country in the world has this. Seriously they are selling so many things people don’t need yet I see people buy things from them all the time.
I love the photo of all the cups on top of the trash can. I think that says a lot about the people of a country. I know for a fact in many they would just throw them on the street like nothing.
Haha, seriously, who needs so many straw baskets?! However, I don’t mind when the truck selling snacks sets up shop in front of my apartment. They are always welcome! 😀
The list is so funny! The compliments you get make me chuckle too 😆
Gotta love cultural differences!
Oh, I could come up with an extensive list of ‘compliments’ alone. Now there’s an idea for another post… 😉
Fun list Audrey! OMG, I can’t believe you even FOUND a trash can. Those things really are elusive and I guess Koreans just hold all their trash. I don’t get it. You actually paid $10 for those apples? Damn,.. were those the ones in the store or on the street? The street ones are cheaper during season. Also… I didn’t know we were supposed to greet the Kmart welcomers back.
They are elusive trash cans! Sometimes I end up walking into stores and asking if I can throw out my garbage in their bin, haha. 😀 And I’ll have to be on the lookout for fruits being sold on the street. I only ever see ajummas selling lettuce and sesame leaves…not what I’m craving.
These are great! I need to spend more time in Asia – I feel like nowhere we go is that culturally different
Korea certainly has plenty of quirks and cultural differences if that’s what you’re after. 😉
I hear alot of good reports about Korea. Might have to put it on my travel wishlist. It is meant to be amazing!
Definitely worth checking out! 😉