Oh, Korea...

I feel like every day something in Korean culture just makes me laugh. Today, it’s Korean matchmaking. Since I take 4 busses every day I have about 10 different bus drivers, 2 of which speak or understand English.

Today from Shijong to Yeongam I had the bus driver that can actually have pretty decent conversations with me. He was asking me questions like what grades I teach, how often I work, what city I live in ect. It’s always nice to see how much Korean people want to practice their English so I work hard to be patient, speak slowly, and find easy ways to explain my answers.

On my way off the bus he shook my hand and I told him I would see him next time, ect. Then I went the convenient store to grab a snack and when I came out I heard “Korean, Korean, Korean, Korean, Ah-mahn-dah (because that’s how Korean people say my name haha) Korean, Korean, Korean, Korean, Ah-mahn-dah… ect” between my bus driver and the other bus driver that speaks basic English but understands pretty well. Clearly they were talking about me and a minute later I heard “Ah-mahn-dah, AH-MAHN-DAHHH” so I looked over, smiled, and said “hello” to the group of middle aged men who then giggled, yes giggled, and went back to talking to each other.

Another minute passes and then the 2 bus drivers that speak English come over to talk to me. The one that speaks basic English points to the bus driver who drove me today and goes “Him certy-pour (thirty-four), shingle (single), you-him be couple!” I couldn’t help but start laughing because Korean people tell me on a daily basis I should have a boyfriend. I then had to politely decline saying I’m 23 and too young to date a 34 year-old, trying not to say he’s too old to date a 23 year old. He persisted for a few minutes and then finally gave up and told me which bus was about to leave for Mokpo so I could go sit down out of the cold.

I’m going to try to start recording more culture clash things like this because I find them really entertaining even though it’s getting to the point where I almost don’t even notice when they happen!

xox