Week 1 – May 17 to May 22 (Arrival)

I'm Currently writing this in a Starbucks in Gangnam, Seoul it’s amazing the coffee shop has branched this far even into this country. I don’t blame Korea I found myself venturing into the same coffee shop that I was so familiar with.

I havent been on much of anything online, I tried to stay away from it so I could focus more on spending time exploring Seoul. 

So this is my first journal that I wrote upon coming to South Korea. So far its as I expected; there are huge cultural differences. There are many random timbits of information I have accumulated during the 3-4 days ive been here in Gangnam, Seoul some that I can remember off the top of my head are the following:

“Koreans are relatively thin and the people here heavily materialize”. This which I have observed is heavily influenced by the media and television. I watched a few Korean dramas and the girls always have this same look, their eyes, preferably double fold, the guys and girls are relatively smaller in shape vs. the characters in Hollywood. However I wouldn’t mind if I found myself to be with one of those girls despite what they say about them getting work done. The only differences I see in girls are their face’s they always try to  accentuate their thin body shape and hair styles. Generally speaking the people here are aren't shorter in height but thinner and seem to dress better.   

“Korean mentality juxtaposes the Canadian's”. The way they work is different because of their upbringing. Family values most of all is different. In Korean culture families mean a lot. Korean parents spend a lot of their time and money on their children’s future even after university while the Western parents usually let them go at 18. There are pros and cons from both sides. What’s good about Canadian parents is that they build their children up to be independent. Many of my colleges had jobs since they were 12 years old and as a result they can function independently. Korean parents emphasize on education, which is also good. However they may spoil their children and give hefty allowances, which they did not earn themselves. Brought up by Korean parents living in Canada I had the best of both worlds; I was taught to be independent working and thinking about education at the same time.

The older men always in suits have the same gloomy, stressed face probably from smoking and over drinking and being over burdened from the pressures of work and the living conditions in which i have also noticed in urban city areas such as New York, Tokyo. There is a much wider gap between the middle class and lower class and those in that lower class are slightly above servant status, which means they will literally bow to you as a waiter or a clerk at the swimming pool.  I don’t think the feudal system in Korea has completely worn off yet. Royalty, Middle class and servant status still remains through the social ranks of Korea.

"There is a higher tolerance for alcohol, drinking and smoking". Canada’s drinking age is relatively tolerant (19) but in Korea like Mexico they sell beer and wine even in corner stores, which is easily accessible to almost anyone. At daytime there isnt much you can do but the nightlife is great. Since people work late stores are open late as well. You see literally thousands of teenagers my age storming the streets drinking, eating meat (Koreans love meat) drinking, going to kareoke, and drinking.

"Money can buy a lot more things". I said this before but the gap between the high middle and lower class is a lot wider. I was shocked when I found out that some part time workers make as low as 3 dollars per hour! I guess that’s what happens when you have such a dense population but if you contrast that to Canadian part time jobs pay at lowest 8 dollars per hour! As a lifeguard you get paid 15 dollars per hour starting, and construction workers get paid up to 50+ dollars an hour. If you have money there are many people willing to bow to you. I found it awkward when I went to the swimming pool and several men were bowing as I was entering and "waiting" when im at the gym to bring me water.

"Something they could improve here in Korea would be public service." There are several repercussions for having lower tax (and no tax for purchasing items). The health care and public service is lacking. The swimming pool that I went to was filled with old retired wealthy men and women hardly any children or peoples my age. It was because it is fourteen times the amount to use the facilities than Canada. A month’s fee to use the swimming pool + gym was 30 dollars and the Korean one was 430 dollars (Health aka Gym is separate payment from swimming. The facilities aren’t operated by the government but private investors along with the many people wanting to use it they have no problem charging that much. There is also less land. There were even limitations on which hour you are to use the facilities. Generally speaking most people don't have the time, the resource or the inclination to exercise. 

Other thoughts: I feel guilty if I don’t purchase something. When you enter a shop they follow you around and asking you constantly to buy their wares. They get too personal but which gets annoying when you walk away, they give you this "sad face" which is hard to forget. DONT MAKE EYE CONTACT.  

The weather is alright its a bit humid but its not too hot yet. I heard Los Angeles reached an all high a week ago i hope Seoul doesn't.

Besides that, i'm learning korean at a hak one before i attend yon sei and tutoring. For the first time i will be teaching English to younger children im looking forward to it. 

AND Theres also this girl ;)

I'll keep you updated.