It's about time I mentioned a certain character type that I unfortunately have to deal with often in
The hilarious thing is that they are easy to spot since 95% of them sport short permed hair and visors. The unfunny fact is that many of them have horrendous public transportation manners. You may be the most polite boy ever and would certainly hand over your sitting rights for an elderly lady, but ajumas do not consider this. They scuttle at high velocity, with a low centre of gravity, and an immutable tenacity. Plus, given Confucian priority of respect to age, they exercise all of their privileges while shoving you with both hands out of their way. All the while without so much as a hint of regret. Even if you're not vying for the same seat as them, they have been known (ask
It is so weird - not that
Age is so important to Confucianism. So much that you can only call people your own age 'friends'. Otherwise they are your 'older brother' or 'younger brother' with accompanying roles and responsibilities. For instance, my 'older brother' feels obligated to pay for the meals we share. Secretly this tarnishes quantity bonding because it would quickly make an older brother poor. So you're bound to your own age until your thirties when this more social norm becomes more lax.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Ajuma!
Friday, August 1, 2008
My Mom Always Said I Looked Like a Model
I did not take Korea long to discover my true beauty - superficial though it may be. Please see my candid face at http://www.gqkorea.co.kr/
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