Korean Myth #1: Saying "Hi" to Strangers Is For Crazy People

Welcome to a mini-series, "Korean Myth". Here I will address things I heard about Korea before moving here.

Korean Myth #1: Saying "Hi" to Strangers Is For Crazy People
"Peter, don't say 'Hi' to people on the street in Korea. Don't even make eye-contact. Only crazy people do that there." In Chicago, you say "Good morning" or "Hi" or simply nod in acknowledgment to people. What's the harm in being friendly, right? Open doors for people, do simple little courtesies for others. What's the harm? But in Korea, I was told, you ignore people. Do NOT say 'hi' to people, I was told. In Korea, only crazy people do that.

Verdict: True
Yes, generally speaking, you don't say "Hi" to people. And I have in fact seen several mentally unstable people talk to strangers.

BUT
I'd like to point out a few caveats:
1. I don't know if this is a Korea thing or a big city thing. My few trips to downtown Chicago have been similar. Big city = A lot of people. People are busy, moving from one thing to the next.
2. Relationships in Korea are more structured than in America. There are many rules on how you greet others, depending on context (that's for a future post). The default tone of relationships is formal and polite, but those kinds of greetings are simply not possible in a crowded subway with hundreds of people around you.
3. When I first arrived in Korea and I had gotten some of my money exchanged, I was a bit disorganized. I had dollars and won in my pockets, and I was still getting the denominations figured out. I pulled out my wallet and a sizeable chunk of cash fell out but I didn't notice it. A woman kindly told me and I hurriedly picked it up, thanking her. Just because people don't say "hi" to each other doesn't mean they're not nice. =)

My New Home

So, I've been in this country for two weeks, and I need to pick up the pace to get more current on this blog.

Welcome to my home. You see here my bedroom, living room, entertainment center (which is now under my desk)

Next, my kitchen, dining room, laundry room, closet/dryer, and storage area. What can I say, I live in luxury. =D

And here is the all-important bathroom. Notice the showerhead on the wall? That's right, to the uninformed, the entire bathroom is the shower area. I have my routine now, but it's still a very conscious thing to shower.

You can't beat the view.

One very important detail that was left out is that hot water needs to be turned on before you use it. I took two cold showers and assumed that hot water wasn't available until someone told me the function of this:

The right side is the water, the left side is the heating.

It's a simple set-up, but it's clean. And actually I like the simplicity. I'm slowly getting to know my neighborhood, I've been so focused on knowing Seoul the City that it took me one and a half weeks to walk around the block in the direction away from the station.

It's the Little Differences: Airport Bathrooms

Vincent: You know what the funniest thing about Europe is?
Jules: What?
Vincent: It's the little differences. I mean, they got the same sh*t over there that we got here, but it's just...it's just there it's a little different.

- Pulp Fiction

This is the greatest adjustment here. In Korea they have all the same things that we have in America, but it's just...different. Since I'm working here, my more "exotic" adventures will happen on the weekends, but it's the day-to-day stuff that makes living in Korea unique.

Case in point, the airport bathrooms. Yes, they're clean. Yes, it's an airport so it's not representative of the country, but I was washing my hands when I saw this sign. Not just the custodian's name. But his picture...AND his phone number to call him if anything is wrong!

I hope it's his work number and not his cell phone.

The Arrival

I was dropped off at O'Hare to be greeted with signs of the Motherland.

Korean Air, the mythical airline with pretty stewardesses, great food, and a free Hwa-Tu cards. I was as excited about flying KA as I was about any part of my trip.

Having gotten to the airport appropriately early, I had some time to kill. I made good use of my time studying my Korean. I have a long way to go before I'm fluent:

I also checked out the duty free shops. Now, keep in mind that I was still in O'Hare, still in Chicago; I got very nostalgic when I saw these sweatshirts hanging as a final goodbye.

Korean Air was everything I thought it would be, minus the Hwa-Tu cards. Every seat has a screen:

Granted, this is my first international flight so I don't know if other carriers have that as well. I partially watched a whole bunch of movies. Saw bits of Amadeus for the first time in years, I need to finish watching True Grit, and confirmed that I Am Number Four is indeed a kid's movie not intended for adults.

The bibimbop was close to being the tastiest I've ever had:

And the takgim (chicken stew), not pictured, was delicious as well. Overall as pleasant of a flight as one could hope for.

But I wasn't here for the flight, I wanted to get to Korea. The wheels touched down, and my life here began...

Saying Good-Bye to Chicago Food

Anyone who's known me for more than 5 minutes knows that I love food. I've often wondered why. Honestly, I think there are at least 3 reasons.
1. I'm a live-to-eat kind of person. Good food just tastes so darn good!
2. I like experiencing things, and what is more experiential than consuming something?
3. Food is safe. No one gets mad at you for enjoying food. =) It's sometimes my go-to topic of conversation because food is universal.
4. Food = Comfort

So this is my final post on pre-Korea. These are actual pictures of the food I ate in the last week I was in Chicago. I only gained 2 pounds, but I think my waistline expanded about 2 inches.

Walker Brothers Apple Pancake. The only place where I look forward to the buttermilk pancakes. Thanks, Adelaide!


Pequods in Des Plaines. Great pan pizza that I tried for the first time. That's roasted basil, bringing a nice color to the pie.

Popeyes. Don't underestimate good fried chicken.


Oysters Rockfeller at Buckinghams in Elgin. First time, but hopefully not my last. Perfectly creamy and delicious.

Probably the best burger I've ever eaten, at Prime Burgerhouse in Elgin. Kobe beef, shredded bacon (the real bacon, not cheap bacon strips), perfect amount of cheddar cheese, and even the fries were great. Plus without a doubt the richest most creamy and nuanced milkshake I've ever had, with Pistachios, Honey, and I don't know what else. Thanks, Tom!


Again, courtesy of my brother. The Tomahawk Steak at Buckinghams. Perfectly charred, perfectly medium rare on the inside. The ridiculous and awesome bone made me feel like a Flinstone.

Lou Malnati's. I just cried a little. Thanks, Dave!

Buffalo Joe's and Gino's East in one awesome combination. The wings have really shrunk in size over the years, but the sauce is as amazing as ever. Thanks Roy and Tom!

Paradise Pup. *sob* I miss you already. Oddly enough, I've only gone here three times but every time I go it delivers. My hands down favorite hole-in-the-wall burger joint. Thank you, Young Sook Emo! (I didn't go with her, but she offered to pay for my lunch). Great time, Patrick!


Last and certainly not least, Smoque. What can I say? The fact that this place gets 5 pictures says it all. I went twice in three weeks, and I would have gone more if I could.

They don't give you a lot of mac n'cheese, but boy it sure is good.

The best beans, ever. If other places in Chicago smoke their beans and add brisket to it, I'd like to know.

St. Louis-cut dry rub ribs. 12 hours smoked. Tender, smokey, amazing.

The money shot. The brisket in all of its tender goodness, the barbeque sauce mixing in with the fat and other juices, the meat wrapping itself around my fork. Good-bye, my friend...

Honorable mention goes to Pita Inn. I didn't think to take a picture when I went there over a week before I left.

Next up: Korea, here I come!

Saying Good-Bye to Family and Friends

I'm already a bit behind on posting, especially as my arrival here in Korea is so time-sensitive. Expect updates on my arrival next week. For now, I'd like to give a shoutout to those I've said goodbye to for the next year.

I had the wonderful opportunity to spend several meals with the family my last week in the States. Gotta show them the love here. And in one of my last days, I went shooting for the first time (don't mess with the Kim brothers!) and had some incredible food. I also had a last meal or coffee with as many friends as I could meet up with. I wish I had another week to say good-bye. =)

I'm a one-on-one hanger out of people. Large groups tend to drain my energy as few things do. So my times with my loved ones was especially bittersweet as I enjoyed great conversation and connecting as well as preparing for a temporary separation. I already miss you guys! It can too easily be a one-way communication street, but please give me unsolicited updates on your lives. I'll do my best to pray for you.

By the way, the last shot was a 9mm at 40 feet. Boom, done!

Next up: Saying Good-Bye to Food

What?!

I'm leaving for Korea this Friday. For my friends whom I haven't kept in the loop, this has been in process since November but has come together quickly in the last week.

What: Teaching English in Seoul
For how long: One year
When do I leave: this Friday

Why?!?: The reasons are many. But one thing is certain: This is going to be an interesting journey. Hence, this blog. I'll be updating my trip here and link to this from facebook for those interested in knowing what I've been up to. If my previous blog is any indication, I'm going to have a hard time posting regularly but you never know.

The adventure continues...