In my previous blog I wrote that, as guests to South Korea, us Westerners need to reconfigure our settings, meaning the way we have been conditioned in our home-country’s environment – because we see the world differently to Koreans – otherwise this may cause us problems. I mentioned that one area where we see the
The average cost of a Korean wedding is roughly $100,000 per couple! This cost may surprise western folks, where the average cost for a wedding floats around $20,000. This got me thinking, what are the expenses for a Korean wedding? Unlike in the western world where weddings take place in a myriad of
What was the rudest question you were asked by Koreans?There is one expression in Korean that is frequently used by brave Koreans when they, too are asked and are disenchanted by it, which I will disclose toward the end of this blog. Yes I am going to teach you the ultimate expression to genially squirm
If you happened to have just climbed off your airplane, or, like me, have been here for 18 years, you will soon notice, it is not just currency differences we need to change – we also need to change our attitudes for we have been conditioned differently from Koreans; it is not just our language
During my time here in South Korea it has been a pleasure, most of the time, for I have found Koreans, mostly accommodating and kind, especially to foreigners. But one thing really nags me – it’s those times that I am just walking along the pavement, minding my own business, when suddenly, “woooooooooooooshhhhhhhhhhh!” Something just
I’m a native teacher at an English academy. To be more specific, I’m a substitute native teacher. I’m sent to different campuses when a permanent teacher takes days off. Some pro’s are that I see different parts of Seoul, get well-acquainted with the public transportation system, and meet lots of people. The con’s are that depending
How long does it take for an expat to settle in South Korea? Well, that depends. As a Korean American, it has taken me 10 months, more or less. Even so, I might still be transitioning. Yes, it is trite, but time does seem to fly here. I attribute the arbitrary pace partly to the
찜질방: Jimjilbang: A unique aspect of Korean culture and a must-do to experience while living in Korea. If you don’t know what a 찜질방 (jimjilbang) is, let me help you, it is a Korean spa that is separated by gender; men with other men and women with other women. Here is a breakdown of what to expect when
