My Complaints: The List

Parents of Korea: stop being such tight asses!

Sorry, I know that was a vulgar way to start my blog, but I'm in a bit of a grouchy mood. Today 2 parent's called me to complain. Complaint #1: I called one of my students for phone-teaching 10 minutes later than I said I would. I'm sorry, but I have a life besides teaching. Plus, why should I have to phone teach anyway? I'm at school 8 hours day, I don't want to come home and call your kid - give me a break. He's not listening in class, he's not going to listen any better on the phone. Complaint #2: My student Jason's mom called because Andy hit him yesterday and and wanted to know why didn't I do anything? I'm sorry, I didn't see it happen. When Jason told me what happened, I punished Andy. What else do you want me to do? Besides, your damn kid hit Andy first - he was just getting what he deserves.

So yeah, a tad tense today. I've read this article on culture shock and it says that the 3rd month is the hardest because the excitement's worn off. Instead, you start thinking about the culture with hostility, losing some of your sense of humour. I wouldn't say that this is happening that often to me, but there are definately days. Let me indulge, just this once, then I'll get on with it and move on like a good little anthropologist.

Things that Piss me off about Korea:

1. Old lady's. In Korea, called the "ajima's". Man, are they violent people. When you get on the subways, everyone pushes, but these small, yet surprisingly strong, old women are the worst. My friends and I have now developed the "ajima block" (appropriately developed on superbowl weekend). This move involves all of us putting out our elbows, possibly even hooking them, to block those bitches from getting past us. "Ajima block!"

2. Their attitude towards women. After visiting Africa, and now Korea, I've never been so thankful to be born in Canada. Women here, though it's changing, are just slaves to their bratty children and chauvanistic husbands. They go to school to become housewives, only to be cheated on by their husbands (I've heard that 95% of men cheat on their wives. Partly because it's so easy, you can get your haircut and some touchy fun, if you know what I'm saying, at the same time. There's even a hair and massage parlor near my house called "Happy Ending". Clever). Even before you get married, you have the chains pulled tight. My Korean friend Winnie came partying with a few of us last Friday and stayed out with us until 5am. She told me a few days later that her curfew is at midnight and her mom stayed up the whole night crying until she got home. The next day she couldn't leave her room. She's 29!!!

3. How they spoil their kids. Kids here are the be-all end-all. Parent's are super hardcore about education for their kids. Korean school starts at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 1p.m. or so. But that's not nearly the end of the day. Then it's time to ship your kids to an endless array of expensive hagwons (or private schools). I11 year-old kids will be in school often until 9 or 10 at night. Plus, there's the hours of homework. I know I've ranted about this before, but it's just so rediculous. Not to mention the fact that not everyone can afford that many hogwons, so some kids are clearly at a dissadvantage. The parent's also work rediculous hours, so when their time is actually spent with their kids - spoil central!

4. Their language. It's impossible to learn. I mean, "hello" is "annyong hasseyo". There's not even a short form. No "hi" or "yo" or even a "what's up?". Tragic. Plus, there's 3 number systems. Who needs three different number systems?

Okay, enough is enough. I'm going to move past this now - I've got it out of my system. I should know better than this, I have 4 years of anthropology training under my belt. I know that these things are to due the history and belief system of the culture. I know it's all about historical particularism and cultural relativism (shout out to Boas), so I'm going to try not to judge and to understand why they are the way they are. First step: "The Koreans" by Micheal Breen.

I did see something funny today. I went to the bank, and there was a butcher carving meet beside the bank counter. WTF? Would you like some lean cut ham with your withdrawl today sir?

Oh yeah, I forgot one. Just one more, then I'm finished complaining, I swear. Really, I do.

5. Women's fashion: Scrunchies, knee-length baggy sweaters, purple cords - there's nothing right about it. It's just all wrong. Sometimes the bottom's are right, knee-high boots with a short skirt, but then they pair it with blouse with buttons to the top of the neck and frills -I can only describe it as something nobody under the age of 65 would wear at home (no offense to the grandmother's reading out there). I miss shopping at home.

Okay, that's it. Next blog will be things I like about Korea. Promise.