Habitual hangups

Being an ex-patriot means many things, but one think I have found is that I learn a lot about my own culture just by being surrounded by a different one. There are some things I miss about America. However, in the short four months I have been here, my habits have changed. Being thrust into a different culture kind of forces you to assimilate at least a little bit. Here are some things that have changed about me as an American expatriating to Korea:

1. Talking- both speed and volume: As an American, I realize now how loud of a culture we have. Seriously, we talk so loud. It's not yelling, it's just natural volume. I have changed that a bit. I don't usually talk so loud (until after a couple, if you know what I mean), and find it annoying when other Westerners do. I find myself wanting to shush them, but I save that job for the ajummas. They're really good at that.
Hazards of being an Elementary ESL teacher- I talk to people like they're four years old. I find myself using lots of gestures and speaking very slow. Sometimes this comes out, even with conversations with other foreigners. Then I have to apologize, and we all shrug and say, "What the hell is this job doing to me?"

2. Unlearning English: I am very slowly, but surely, unlearning English. I find myself having to work hard to remember the simplest of words that I regularly use. I'm having difficulty spelling correctly. This never happens. I am, and have always been, a stickler for proper grammar and spelling.
It's not like I'm learning more Korean, either. I am taking Korean classes, but I'm not replacing one language with another. I'm just unlearning English. It's very frustrating.

3. Bowing: I've brought this up before in my mini-etiquette class. However, now I find myself bowing at everyone, including foreigners I'm meeting for the first time. I'm past going for a handshake. I go straight for the bow. Another one of those, "What the hell is this job doing to me?" moments.

4. Eye contact: In Korea, I learned that Westerners are very creepy in that we like to make eye contact while conversing. It's a way we let each other know that we're paying attention. Not so in Korea. Making too much eye contact is considered weird and creepy. Also, if you happen to have pale blue eyes like me, they seem to get even more uncomfortable. So....watch out for that.

5. On the topic of conversation: Koreans tend to mutter affirmations while you are talking to them. Sometimes it's just a little "Mmm" sound that lets you know they are listening and taking in the information. Some Koreans will make this sound every two seconds. Don't be alarmed, they are listening, and that's their signal. When I first came to Korea, one of my teachers did this as I spoke all the time, and it made me extremely annoyed, since I thought she was just (this is one of those moments where I sit and think really hard for the word I'm trying to think of....) dismissing (that's the one!) me and moving on. Very quickly I learned that this is just something they do. However, I have started picking it up, and this annoys me.

6. Eating utensils: I thought I might have a problem with this one, but I really don't. I can eat anything with only chopsticks and a spoon to aide me. I have gotten seriously good at using chopsticks. Armed with chopsticks and a spoon I can eat soups, pastas, chicken wings(that one is a bit tricky), fruit, rice, squid, peanuts, anchovies, kimchi, etc. Put it in front of me, and I will eat it.

7. Spicy food: If you knew me back in America, you would know that I don't generally like spicy food. I would rather taste my food than punish myself just to find the thrill of capsaicin. However, in Korea, they generally make food spicy. Thanks to foreigners in the past, Koreans have the idea that all foreigners have very fragile palates, therefore don't like spicy food. Well, I've never been one to accept when someone says, "You can't," or "It's too much for you," so I try everything I can. You know what? I like it. I like spicy food, and have gotten a lot better at eating it, simply because of the fact Korea told me I can't. Fine, Korea, you won the battle, but I win the war. Bring it on.

In closing, being in Korea changes you. You tend to look at things differently, excuse things that you wouldn't have in your home country, but it's all alright. It's all part of the experience of being an expat and moving to a culture vastly different from your own. I'm sure I'll have more habits change after a while, but for now, these are the ones I can recall at the moment. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to study for a Korean test tonight. Wish me luck.