The Questions You Will Hear Everyday

As my close friends can attest, I geek out over podcasts/radio programming. I love them! They are one of those things that keeps me grounded in further learning and current events. I can pop in my earbuds and be whisked away to Chicago for the latest on "Wait Wait! Don't Tell Me," run through the grey areas of cognition and science with "Radiolab," or cozy up to new acquaintances on "This American Life."

In late June, This American Life presented a great episode entitled, "Americans in China." It tells tales of being the novelty, redundancy, and outsider as Americans abroad. I loved it and felt I could relate to it in a lot of ways. My favorite piece in Act Two came from writer, Michael Meyers, who is currently living in rural China. I met Michael in 2009 while researching in China, and I highly suggest checking out his book. He is a great and honest storyteller.

In Act Two, Mr. Meyers explains his small town surroundings and daily life including the people he meets, the relationships he builds, and the same questions he hears on a regular basis. It's these questions that remind you that you stick out like a sore thumb. Sometimes funny, sometimes awkward...I get them all the time (and I know I'm not alone...).

• Where are you from?


• Do you know Korean?


• How old are you?


• Do you have a boyfriend?


• How tall are you?

I've gotten used to these questions. And I often surprise myself by understanding them in Korean. But then again, I've learned these specific Korean phrases through repetition. Over and over. Again and again. And I don't see it ending anytime soon...

Give TAL a listen (only 17 minutes)!
-Bets

My 15 Seconds

As mentioned in the previous post, Educational Rift, I was in a provencial commercial that promoted English memorization in the public school system. Read more about the awkwardness at the link above. But now, months after the taping, I finally tracked down a copy to share with you, my faithful readers. You worked hard for this. Enjoy!



Awkward Peanut Butter Turtle,
-Bets

The Perks of Being a Foreigner

I've learned a lot about Korean culture and traditions over the past year. I try to respect and follow them as best I can. But, ultimately, I am a foreigner and I generally stick out like a sore thumb in my small town. Being a foreign has it's drawbacks at times: gawking, pointing, awkward silence, and racist remarks. I've also had many instances of being the novelty act. I've:

• Sang awkward karaoke on the street at a grocery store opening. And no, I wasn't busking...it just happened (curse that pushy clown!).


• Been on TV as a model teacher for English textbook memorization. We all know how that went... (PS - video coming soon!)


• Taken promotional photos for the provincial newspaper.


• Performed at my school's holiday talent show.


• Taken countless pictures with random Koreans who just want a picture with me and my friends. What do they do with photos of strangers?! I assume they have a shoe box full of foreigner photos in the back of a closet. Or maybe it's just one big-lifelong-pub-crawl-scavenger-hunt-thing...

However, being a foreigner also has it's perks (compliments, random smiles, and free stuff). That's right: free stuff.

Yesterday, I went to a local grocer for some bananas, almonds, and tofu. This is the same grocery store that had me perform karaoke on the street 10 months ago. Luckily, the store is under new management since it's initial beginning. Anyway...I've managed to walk into the store countless times and get what I need without any fuss.

However, upon walking in, the man on the mic, who usually speaks rapid fire Korean, changed his sales pitch to English. "Welcome to Nong Min Mart! Tomato, sale! Watermelon sale!" I smiled and said the watermelon was too big and heavy. I opted for bananas..."Sale on ba-na-na!"

I made my way around the fruits and spotted some delicious looking pineapple and thought I could buy half of a pineapple for me and my co-teacher to enjoy. With no price on the fruit, I went up to woman working and asked how much it was. She looked puzzled over my wishes for half of a fruit. The man with the mic smiled and said, "500 won!" (the equivalent of $0.43). I looked at him with disbelief, but graciously accepted the fruit. (Score!)

After finishing my shopping, I went to the cash counter where a group of laborers were standing around on a small break for water and plum juice. As I finished paying, the man with the mic came to me and offered a plum. "Service!" (free). I thanked him again and then his friend offered me a large glass of plum juice. I tried to decline but it was inevitably forced into my hand with a "건배!" (Korean cheers) and we drank together - though he did his in one shot. I asked, "One shot?" He looked at me with a face that said 'obviously.'

We shared another two glasses of plum juice toasting and shooting as the store clerks and laborers looked on with confusion and smiles. And I walked out with  cheap fruit, a smile on my face, and a stomach full of plum juice.

Eat Your Fruits and Veg,
-Bets