Americans have this inability to not stereotype others. We mean well and think we have risen above such judgmental behavior, only to realize we have gone and done it again.
Like so many Americans, I have stereotyped a group of people. Foreigners in the Republic of Korea. The same group I belong to. Every time I see another white person, I automatically assume that they won't talk to me. An assumption that generally is proven correct. Every time I meet another white person, I assume that they don't like me and are not nice. An assumption that is false and proven wrong several times over.
Okay, so many can be that way. Or they can come across that way. I don't know what they are thinking. I'm not telepathic. It was judgmental of me to assume that another individual didn't like me simply based on the color of our skin.
I have talked to and met some really nice people. I am not exactly friends with them. They were not disrespectful to me though. Sure, I may not have the network of friends to hang out with that I am used to back in the states. However, that does not mean that those around me won't ever be friends. If we end up being nothing more than acquaintances, that is okay.
There are many nice people here, Korean and non Korean.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Eye Examination
Went to town today to get my eyes examined. I was really hoping to finally be able to have contacts. However, after examining my eye the doctor said that I had really dry eyes. They needed more ventilation and breathing room than most normal peoples eyes. He expressed concern that my eyesight would get worse if I was to start wearing contacts. I didn't like the idea of eye sight getting worse, so I agreed not to buy them.
Eye Examination cost was 6,500 won. That is roughly $6 in America. I was only there for like 5 to 10 minutes.
Then I went ahead and bought a pair a new glasses. My old ones have been through a lot. I've fallen asleep on them, dropped them, and took them flying when I was repeatedly bucked off a horse. Thank you Jasper (guilty horse.) New pair was 55,000 won which is roughly $50-$53. I was only there 15 minutes.
Koreans like big glasses. So I honestly bought a small size. You may not believe me when you see them, but it is true. There was a pair smaller than them, but I looked horrible in them. I think I look okay, just not the fashion nor element of beauty Americans favor.
Trivia: The emergency lights can be used for more situations here than emergencies. It is a way to say thank you and I';m sorry as well.
Trivia: I have adjusted to Korean traffic. I see their mode of travel now to be more practical than ours. It is like comparing modern teenagers with Pharisees on the regard of food.
Eye Examination cost was 6,500 won. That is roughly $6 in America. I was only there for like 5 to 10 minutes.
Then I went ahead and bought a pair a new glasses. My old ones have been through a lot. I've fallen asleep on them, dropped them, and took them flying when I was repeatedly bucked off a horse. Thank you Jasper (guilty horse.) New pair was 55,000 won which is roughly $50-$53. I was only there 15 minutes.
Koreans like big glasses. So I honestly bought a small size. You may not believe me when you see them, but it is true. There was a pair smaller than them, but I looked horrible in them. I think I look okay, just not the fashion nor element of beauty Americans favor.
Trivia: The emergency lights can be used for more situations here than emergencies. It is a way to say thank you and I';m sorry as well.
Trivia: I have adjusted to Korean traffic. I see their mode of travel now to be more practical than ours. It is like comparing modern teenagers with Pharisees on the regard of food.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Stereotypes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=90Y4jx38DF4
This is a simple youtube video that I think a lot of people need to watch.
In this world today many people hear that you are of a certain race, religion, or live in a certain country and they automatically assume certain "virtues" about you that isn't always true.
Koreans are not small. Yes, many are skinny compared to Americans. However there are some with more weight than me. Most of the men here are taller than me.
I seriously doubt any of my students have ever even tasted dog, much less eat it.
Most of my students have never even tried martial arts.
Just because they look like Japanese to white people (they don't to each other) doesn't mean they speak that language.
In the same way, many Koreans assume that:
1. All females from America have been having sex since they were teenagers.
2. All males from America who are in the army like to rape innocent looking Korean girls.
3. If you get a job here, that you are not hardy like them and won't be able to stay away from your country. You will break your contract and leave them in the middle of the year.
Yet they still treat us with respect and are eager to help us. Why can't we return the same courtesy?
Not just to Koreans, but also to Mexicans, Latinos, Chinese, Russians, Germans, Native Americans, Italians, Irish... you get the picture.
In Korea, they try to accommodate foreigners. They have worked hard to get English onto many of their signs and in their stores. That way you can at least read where to go. They also have Chinese and Japanese on signs in the larger cities and such.
In America, it is common to hear grumbling about (Insert Culture like say... Mexicans) and how they are taking over simply because of a little Spanish on a sign. Someone was trying to be kind and thoughtful to a human being who is going through culture shock. And we blast their Christian attitude with a very non-Christian attitude of our own.
I'm guilty of it too. I am trying to make people aware that it is okay to have several cultures living together. Learning a few words in another language won't kill you. Instead, it might make you a friend that you will value for many years to come.
This is a simple youtube video that I think a lot of people need to watch.
In this world today many people hear that you are of a certain race, religion, or live in a certain country and they automatically assume certain "virtues" about you that isn't always true.
Koreans are not small. Yes, many are skinny compared to Americans. However there are some with more weight than me. Most of the men here are taller than me.
I seriously doubt any of my students have ever even tasted dog, much less eat it.
Most of my students have never even tried martial arts.
Just because they look like Japanese to white people (they don't to each other) doesn't mean they speak that language.
In the same way, many Koreans assume that:
1. All females from America have been having sex since they were teenagers.
2. All males from America who are in the army like to rape innocent looking Korean girls.
3. If you get a job here, that you are not hardy like them and won't be able to stay away from your country. You will break your contract and leave them in the middle of the year.
Yet they still treat us with respect and are eager to help us. Why can't we return the same courtesy?
Not just to Koreans, but also to Mexicans, Latinos, Chinese, Russians, Germans, Native Americans, Italians, Irish... you get the picture.
In Korea, they try to accommodate foreigners. They have worked hard to get English onto many of their signs and in their stores. That way you can at least read where to go. They also have Chinese and Japanese on signs in the larger cities and such.
In America, it is common to hear grumbling about (Insert Culture like say... Mexicans) and how they are taking over simply because of a little Spanish on a sign. Someone was trying to be kind and thoughtful to a human being who is going through culture shock. And we blast their Christian attitude with a very non-Christian attitude of our own.
I'm guilty of it too. I am trying to make people aware that it is okay to have several cultures living together. Learning a few words in another language won't kill you. Instead, it might make you a friend that you will value for many years to come.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Online Class
Finished week one of my online class. This is a good class to take. Will help strengthen my researching skills as well as my skills in avoiding plagiarism. Historiography is fascinating it its own way. Participating in the online discussions is also amazing. There is a mixture of armed service personnel and teachers taking this class creating an incredible diversity of experience and opinion.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Koreans and Snow
There is a culture for this society and snow. Get rid of it at all costs where possible, ignore it if not.
I went to town today to meet up with someone I was buying some things from. I also had to transfer money to the US so I could pay bills.
It snowed last night. So I walked to Namsan in the inch of snow. Stood at the bus stop wishing it was warmer. Then surprise of surprises, five minutes upon getting there a bus showed up. I didn't have to wait 50 minutes. Yay! I told the driver Jain. He doesn't usually stop there, but it is on the way to Gyeongsan. We pulled into the bus stop of the bus system I normally ride and there was bus 990 just about to pull out. I hopped off and ran to the side of 990 and point at the door. The man who directs the buses and tells the passengers where the bus is headed stopped the bus and I got on. So no wait time there either. Went to Sinmae and got off.
I left at 7:45, was on a bus at 8am, arrived at my destination by 9am. And I told my contact I would be there at 10am. Oh dear. Nothing was opened. E Mart was closed, Baskin Robbins was close, Daiso was closed, my favorite sidewalk stand wasn't even set up yet. The only people about were those with brooms and two inch wide chisels working to clear the sidewalks outside their stores. *sigh*
So I did what any sane person would have done, not. I started walking. I walked to Sawol and back in 40 minutes. Good exercise. However may I remind you it is very frigid outside. However all was well and I was back at the school by 11am. Another surprise. Then lunch was amazing. Did I say I don't like rice anymore? I lied. The curry was so yummy. They also had fruit salad and bread filled with bean paste in the shape of fish. Yummy!
I went to town today to meet up with someone I was buying some things from. I also had to transfer money to the US so I could pay bills.
It snowed last night. So I walked to Namsan in the inch of snow. Stood at the bus stop wishing it was warmer. Then surprise of surprises, five minutes upon getting there a bus showed up. I didn't have to wait 50 minutes. Yay! I told the driver Jain. He doesn't usually stop there, but it is on the way to Gyeongsan. We pulled into the bus stop of the bus system I normally ride and there was bus 990 just about to pull out. I hopped off and ran to the side of 990 and point at the door. The man who directs the buses and tells the passengers where the bus is headed stopped the bus and I got on. So no wait time there either. Went to Sinmae and got off.
I left at 7:45, was on a bus at 8am, arrived at my destination by 9am. And I told my contact I would be there at 10am. Oh dear. Nothing was opened. E Mart was closed, Baskin Robbins was close, Daiso was closed, my favorite sidewalk stand wasn't even set up yet. The only people about were those with brooms and two inch wide chisels working to clear the sidewalks outside their stores. *sigh*
So I did what any sane person would have done, not. I started walking. I walked to Sawol and back in 40 minutes. Good exercise. However may I remind you it is very frigid outside. However all was well and I was back at the school by 11am. Another surprise. Then lunch was amazing. Did I say I don't like rice anymore? I lied. The curry was so yummy. They also had fruit salad and bread filled with bean paste in the shape of fish. Yummy!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Suicide Report
Nothing catches my attention faster than someone in trouble.
I don't know the policy in the Republic of Korea for teachers regarding when students say they are suicidal. However in America it was drilled into us to report it. So when a student came up to me on his way out of class and said, "I am going to kill myself tonight." He had my complete attention.
It is only the second day of classes. I don't know their names and faces yet. I just know which class it was and that it was one of my smallest boys. I find it hard to believe that he would be. It doesn't make sense as there are no tests in the near future. So the main reason isn't there.
I reported it and now am waiting to see what else is required on my part.
Winter Camp - First Day
First day was interesting. Went to the office and turned the heaters on in both the classroom and office. 2.5 hours later it finally got warm enough to where I could take off my coat. Got all the paperwork and materials needed set up in neat piles at the front of the classroom. Was told that I had 16 to 17 students so made 20 copies of everything. Felt prepared and excited.
Then I enjoyed teaching my two classes that afternoon. It went really well. Most of the students already had English names. That helped a great deal. The only problem was that I had 22 students in each class. *sigh* However we made it. I thoroughly enjoyed teaching them. They are a joy.
Then I enjoyed teaching my two classes that afternoon. It went really well. Most of the students already had English names. That helped a great deal. The only problem was that I had 22 students in each class. *sigh* However we made it. I thoroughly enjoyed teaching them. They are a joy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)