"Rocket Man"

I was sent a link to this site in which an ESL teacher and comic artist named Luke Martin posts his creations. Experience Korean culture from the eyes of just about every expat at his site: Roketship

Here are some of my favorites along with some of my thoughts on the subjects..

When going to E-Mart, the salespeople tend to yell at you to buy their goods. Plus I hate E-Mart because it is always so crowded.

Korean's always form lines in front of doors - or push in front of you so they can be the first one in or out said door. I've found myself waiting in front of subway or elevator doors in order to exit, only to find someone push there way in front of me so that they can get off first. 

(and they're not even in a hurry!)

On the subways salespeople will try to vend their items (usually crap). They are disruptive and loud, and I've never seen anyone buy anything from them. It is also illegal to do, and you are told to call the police if it happens - which it always does - and no one does.

Koreans rarely drink while eating (and I drink a lot of water when I eat). So you always have to say "Mool toe joosayo!" (More water please!). This cartoon is funny because I have a feeling when I go back home, I'm going to be speaking in broken English and making hand gestures out of habit.

Customer service people want to help me all the time, but it gets annoying quickly. Partially because half the time they can't speak English, but want to try. And also because they simply will not leave you alone. Particularly if you go shopping in the fashion districts where they will bargain with you, and compliment you to buy their goods.

 

Whenever I pass another foreigner it feels like there is a rule that you have to make eye-contact or smile because you a rarity -- and usually white. If I was back home I wouldn't be saying hi to every white person I saw, so why should I here? I think we're just all in the same place in life, and all experiencing the same things that you become used to making new friends on the basis of your ability to speak the same language. But it is still awkward even when we all feel the same way.

Couples wear the same clothes here. It's supposed to be cute. I refuse to do it, and my girlfriend gets kind of disappointed in me. My excuse is simple: "I can't wear the same things as you because the sizes are too small!" (plus I don't want to be THAT guy.)

This is basically how I learned to read Korean (mentally making symbols into pictographs). It says "Kimbap" which is basically cheap Korean sushi filled with veggies, crab, or even SPAM.

 My cell phone is the most advanced one I have ever owned (that's not saying much), but I don't know half of what it can do with most of the things to access are online and in Korean. Most Koreans own more advanced cell phones than I do, (where they watch TV, use as an mp3 player, or can text in Hangul (Korean) faster than I can speak!)