Things That Make You Go, Hmm!...part 2

Here's another post dedicated to all the new things in Korean culture that I've come across since being here. For being a country that's the size of Florida there's so many fascinating discoveries I'm finding on a daily basis.

I'm sure I've stated this several times but Koreans are genuinely the nicest people I've ever met. Their hospitality is amazing! There has been countless times where I may look lost in a subway station and someone will go out of their to ask if they can help. Some who ask speak little to no English, but they try to the best of their ability to help. Also, many Korean women don't like tanning so they will stand under an umbrella in the sun. Recently I was standing at the bus stop and a lady covered me with her umbrella to block me from the sun. This was very comical, but also a nice gesture.

Speaking of Korean women not liking to tan, this brings me to my second rant. While Americans fake and bake to be perceived as better looking in the summer, Koreans see being pale skin toned as more beautiful. Whitening cream is very popular here and is used to brighten the skin to a more pale color. I will say that I have seen some women who take this to an extreme and sometimes look ghostly.

Even though I've been in Korea for four months, I'm still confused about the garbage disposal system. Unlike in the America where recycling is seen as a hassle and you throw all of your trash into one can, Korea has somewhat of a more complex system. Started in 1995, the Seoul Metropolitan Government began implementing the trash separation system. This means you must separate recycables by type (i.e glass, plastic, or tin), food waste, and general waste. Also, instructions on the bins are usually only in Korean which can make it even more difficult when playing match the trash to correct bin. Until I can figure this out, I will continue to take my trash out at night in hopes that nobody will see me.

Another custom I'm still adapting to is taking my shoes off anytime I enter a home or certain restaurants. Koreans sit and often sleep on their floor, so having a dirty floor is intolerable. This is a big part of Asian culture! Often while at the gym I forget that I can't wear my shoes in the locker room. Not to worry, the ajummas are quick to remind me.

my school slippers

Finally I must rant about the heated floors, also known as ondol heating. Before the cold weather hit I was very skeptical about this. Back home in America, heaters just blow heat out of vents. Well ondol heating uses hot water below the floor to warm them up. I always thought that there was no way heated floors could keep me very warm. Boy was I wrong! About two weeks ago the cold weather decided to grace me with it's presence. I made my first attempt to crank up the heat. Well I'm not the smartest tool in shed when it comes to conversions and my Celsius to Fahrenheit conversions were way off. I woke to my apartment being 95 degrees. Oopsie! Needless to say I've worked out the kinks and now my apartment is nice and cozy.

I love being in place where I'm constantly discovering new things and nothing is ever the same. Things that I would've seen as odd before are now new, amazing little quirks that I love. Oh Korea, you are somethin' special!


love and kisses!


-Jenn xoxo