Observations

Observe the image:
Humm, I see a woman dancing on a platform, loud speaker, another on a megaphone and another on stilts. This was the magical display outside my apartment this afternoon. I think it was some "grand opening" of a store in my building. These sort of displays are all to usual.

Let me share a few more strange but true things about Korea:

1. Grocery shopping is a sport.

2. Women wear high heals everywhere and all the time.

3. Men dress incredibly well and care just as much about appearance as women do (one of my favorite things about Korea).

4. People dress very well.

4. Public Displays of Affection are rampant; when on the subway it sometimes seems like the couples are competing to see who can be the most obvious about their love.

5. Friends are very affectionate no matter the gender; males walk around with their arms around one another shoulders as do females.

6. Rock, scissor, paper can be used to decide ANYTHING, ANYWHERE, ANYTIME.

7. Lingerie is sold in matching male and female sets.

8. If you are a foreign woman and happen to be attractive it is assumed that you are Russian and a prostitute.

9. Korean moms are crazy and usually think their children are God.

10. Soju ( a vodka like drink) is drank like water.

11. Most Korean foods are "Number 1 health food!"

12. There is no tipping in restaurants and to call the waiter you just yell waiter in korean then you say what you want and give me in korean- no need for politeness.

13. Staring at strangers is perfectly acceptable.

14. There are no dryers so clothing is continually crispy and wrinkled.

15. Their version of toothpaste sucks as does the mascara.

16. Heat comes through the floor.

17. The bathroom does not separate the shower, toilet and sink so after showering your whole bathroom is wet. I find this really annoying.

18. Shoes are never to be worn in the house, even your own, and separate shoes are worn in the bathroom.

19. Traffic is always bad no matter the day or time.

20. When shopping you are followed very closely. Not the "we think your stealing" following but the "silly foreigner let me help you to the fat section" kind of following.

21. Koreans do not understand the concept of a yard because homes are apartment buildings and do not have yard space.

22. Cheese and whipping cream is crazy expensive. I am talking 20$ for a medium block of cheddar.

23. Fruit is often given as a gift.

24. Men smoke like chimneys and women smoke in secret.

25. Rain is kryptonite and must be avoided at all costs.

26. Alcohol samples are given at the grocery store.

27. Physical fitness is non existent.

28. Koreans want to know your height, age, weight, nationality and marital status within moments of meeting. My students are always inquiring about these things.

29. Kimchee is eaten with everything. Loving Kimchee is a requirement of all Koreans.

30. Instant coffee is drank as much as kimchee is eaten and loved almost equally.

These are in no particular order. This is not a hate on Korea list. This is an observation of differences list.