Many Native English Speakers living in Korea say they are very uncomfortable with Koreans staring at them. They say wherever they go, whatever they do in Korea they can’t get away from people’s staring. Whenever I heard this complaint, I felt sorry for them. But when they stay long enough to get accustomed to people’s staring, I see some are changing to enjoy being a star.
My friend Brenda told me she went to a restaurant with some of her Korean students. When she tried to eat Kimchi, she was questioned, “Oh, do you like Kimchi?” When she picked up potato dish, “You like potatoes? It’s good for your health” “Oh, you can use chopsticks?” She said it was very funny.
When I was in Korea, the most common question that I was asked by some of my students or parents who knew I had native English speaker friends was “What do they eat?” My answer was always this “The same as you do!”
Some years ago, I traveled to Azores Island, far off Western Europe to visit my friend. I took a plane to get there, and it took about 2.5 hours. Local people didn’t seem to be familiar with an Asian woman’s face. I felt almost everyone on the streets was looking at me. Of all those, especially I can’t forget about an old grandmother. From far distance, she kept watching and walking towards me. When she passed me, I looked back to see if she was still watching me. Yes, she stopped and watching me. I hoped I was the first Asian woman for her to see in her entire life. I waved at her and took off my sunglasses to help her see me more clearly.
Maangchi, I discovered this side of your site and I’m reading through your stories one by one. You are a bright spirit!
The “star” thing – yup I remember it well. I got it when my family lived in Taiwan for 2 years. Strangers would follow me on the street to stare at me. I was an independent child and would hop on buses and go to the zoo or wander downtown Taipei by myself. Poeple would give me snacks and were so kind to me. Then in Korea, even though I am half Korean, I look very exotic, so I was constantly stared at and whispered about. After awhile I didn’t mind. People would stop me on the street to ask to have coffee so they could practice English, or just have coffee with a pretty girl! I made lots of friends like that. Even in the states I got that in some places. I visited my ex-husband’s hometown in Ohio and it was just white people and black people. Everyone stared at me there too!
Your story brought up a lot of memories for me!
OMG, how did you find my 100 stories blog! : )