Becoming accustomed to customs

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. While this statement is valid, sometimes when you're in Rome, you should just enjoy the scenery and make careful observations to absorb the differences in cultures while also respecting both traditions, regardless of how absurd it may seem to you. But I guess the former statement takes a lot less effort to say.

Things I've become accustomed to and/or absolutely love now:

- Children cleaning the schools. Screw child labor laws, it teaches them responsibility, discipline, and respect for authority.
- Using 2 hands when giving and receiving things to others.
- Bowing when greeting/saying goodbye others.
- Letting my students hug me and not feeling like I'm being watched for sexual molestation.
- Texting. A lot. I never really text back home.
- Being told I look Korean/being mistaken for a Korean.
- Crappy but fun Korean pop music
- The inescapable English craze that is taking over the nation (think Konglish)
- Never paying tip. Tip is not expected here and workers will even chase you down to give you your tip back if you leave any. And the best part is that they still treat you respectfully and nicely regardless.
- Tax included in EVERYTHING. It's a great feeling walking into a place and knowing EXACTLY how much money I will need to pay just by looking at the price tag.
- Lunch food. It comes in prison trays but is all homecooked and includes (among the main dish) rice/noodle, soup, meat, veggies, fruit, and kimchi.
- Being considered "big eyed." I pretty much grew up thinking I was a super chinky asian girl.
- The close-knit community at the schools. Where all the students are treated like family and teachers act like close relatives.
- Korea's transportation system. It goes everywhere and is ALWAYS on schedule.
- Cheap cab fare
- Openly drinking anytime, anywhere. In a cab, on a bus, in the morning, whenever,wherever.

Things I am accustomed to but not necessarily thrilled about:

- Squatters. #1 or #2, totally fine to use, but if there's a western toilet, I'm on it.
- Eating octopus.
- Last minute...no, SECOND changes.
- Laundry. Not only do washers suck here, but there are no dryers, so everything has to be hung. My clothes stretch out and look awkward after some time. And in the winter, it can take days to fully dry.
- Showers. Where's the tub? It's a tad annoying to have to roll up my pants every time I use the bathroom soon after I shower.
- Driving. It amazes me how many lights cars run through and how police don't do anything. And at many big intersections, it's free for all, first come first serve.
- Everything written in Korean (i.e. my computer at work). But this is expected.
- Open classes. Every semester, each teacher has to hold an "open class" to show other teachers your teaching methods which are in reality a reflection of your ability to be prepared 325842895 years in advance and bribe your students with pizza if they behave well and participate during it.
- Soju. It's terrible, but it's the Ju of Korea.
- Koreans rarely drink water while eating. I am dying of thirst by the end of my meal.
- Teachers yelling and humiliating their students in front of the entire class.
- Reputation and appearance dominates quality.
- There are no garbage bins anywhere on the streets.

Things I will NEVER become accustomed to:

- Wearing heels at all hours, including hiking mountains. That's just a sprained ankle waiting to happen.
- Eating dog soup. I'll never try.
- Being girly and non-athletic. I'm sorry, I'm not a typical Korean girl. Mostly because I'm not Korean.
- Corporal punishment in schools. While I have become more prone to disciplining students, I could never flat out hit them like the teachers do here.
- Smacking my lips/mouth while I eat or chew gum.
- Men constantly cheating on their wives, often with hookers. And the wives doing nothing about it.
- Men hitting women and it being okay because it's the culture. Very hush hush.
- Women not allowed to smoke in public. I don't smoke, but I hate waiting 5 minutes for an open stall because a lady has to smoke, and then trying to pee while inhaling the lingering smoke.
- Wearing 18 layers of makeup and waking up at 5am every morning to apply them.


So...maybe...when in Rome, just observe and be.