lost the plot

people often liken south korea to the 50s in america. since they're just now coming into a relatively prosperous time for their country, i often see all the ways this is true. the squeaky-clean pop music complete with dancing and matching outfits. the crisp, newness of buildings and shops. the booming amusement park industry. the way the family unit still operates under classic stereotypes. the modest clothing. the wholesome cheesiness of it all. even the air raid practices. it's all straight out of a movie.

but with all this paused-in-time goodness comes inevitable downsides. and the biggest one i see is the racism. it's startling. it's appalling. and it's usually directed at me.

this morning, i walked to work like i always do. i got the usual stares, occasional kids yelling heavily accented "HELLO"s, and some glares. i keep my head down when i walk. it's easier. but along with the usual mix of attention, i got one woman standing at the bus stop, who actually, purposely stepped into my path, forcing me to stumble around her as she said, incredibly loudly "ANNN-YONG HASS-E-YO." (hello, how are you, in korean) it wasn't kind. it wasn't even really a question. it was actually said a lot like my rude students say it, in a mocking, affected manner, mimicing my accent. she waited for me to say it back with one expectant hand on her hip, which on knee-jerk reaction i did, even mustering a small bow before going on my way. after a few steps, the entire bus stop burst into laughs at whatever she said after she let me pass.

and, yes, it's a small interaction. but it was odd and upsetting, and here is why: think of america. if an indian person, or an israeli or somalian was walking down a strange steet in an american town and someone stopped them in their tracks and said to them a highly sarcastic-sounding "HELLO. HOW ARE YOU" in a mocking attempt at their native accent, it would be rude. it would be more than that: it would be inappropriate and offensive. even if there are some jerks who might still stoop to such a level in america, i like the think the entire bus stop wouldn't bust up laughing at the scene after the fact.

i know this isn't how all koreans act. i've been fortunate enough to meet dozens of kind people here. but when you are so far from home, so far from everything familiar, then even the tiniest gestures and interactions can become laden with meaning, association, and even overall well-being. nothing can be taken with a grain of salt.