Honestly, now.

Thus far, for the most part, I’ve really enjoyed my first month here.  It’s been great.  Fantastic, in fact.  Most everyone I’ve met has been kind and helpful.  I really like my students.  My job, while not easy, is at least rewarding and amusing.  I have a good place to live.  Overall, I enjoy my life here.

However, I still find myself rebeling against the culture in little ways.

I enjoy being feminine, however I also like the aspects of my personality that (at least in Korea) would fall under the other gender’s label.  I enjoy laughing at loud (instead of giggling behind my hand).  While I try and be polite, manners go out the door if I’m pushed too hard.  (No, you can not pay me to come to your house at ten tonight.)  And there’s other things that grate on me a bit.    I like wearing colors other than black, gray, tan, blue, and white.  I even enjoy being tall (thanks for instilling that in me, Mom).

So today I’m wearing a BRIGHT red skirt, black top, and heels.  If you can’t join ‘em, beat ‘em.  Okay, not quite.  But you get the idea.  On my heighth, I was browsing outside the stationary store when a man came and stood next to me.  Right next to me.  Okay, well there’s not really a concept of personal space in Korea.  I ignored him.  Until he stamped his foot.  I was crouched down looking at some paper.  I looked up.  Now every once in a while you come across a person who doesn’t like you for whatever personal reason.  (This man was one of these people) I  expect it.   However, I don’t really appreciate someone demanding my attention in order to let me know.  So I stood up.  And up.

Now granted I had boots on, but I was a full head taller than the guy.  I smile a little, make room as if I thought he wanted to look at the stationary, and returned to browsing.  He walked away.

I’m well aware that I have two choices in such situations.  One, I can get angry and perpetuate every single stereotype that abounds about Americans.  I know of people that do this.  Fine, their choice.  However, I have no desire to learn the ins and outs of the Korean legal system so I like to play nice.  Even when the other guy isn’t.  So I pick option number two.  I’ll stand my ground and be polite about it.

Besides, I really enjoy the confused looks on peoples’ faces.

Okay, I’m through venting.  At least for today.