Reasons why Patrick and I would move to Seoul anywhere in Korea. Don’t panic. For obvious reasons, we will stay put in our God-chosen house in the mid-atlantic.
1. Where else can you have a city of almost 15 million people and a spotless subway? I mean there wasn’t even trash in the tracks. The kicker? There aren’t public trash cans either. People just have enough respect for their surroundings that they *gasp* take their trash with them.
2. The bow. I never realized how much a simple gesture can be so loud. It screams RESPECT, HUMILITY, and POLITENESS. In Korea, there’s always time for a bow…upon greeting someone, upon departing somewhere, upon thanking someone, even upon leaving the elevator.
3. Shoes off policy. Okay, so this one is exclusively a Melissa reason. I am dissappointed that no one wears flip flops b/c it’s more polite to have socks to keep your feet clean. Even the security guys that came to drill out our safe took their shoes off upon entering our hotel room.
4. Tax included. No explanation needed.
5. No tipping. Great service is a given. Imagine that…motivated by something other than money.
6. Gift giving. Who needs tips when everyone gives gifts? The great thing is that it’s not so much the gift that’s given but the process of offering a gift. Mia was even bestowed a gift by the tea shop owners that served us FREE tea.
7. Pride in one’s job…no matter what. Even the gentleman directing traffic outside of the department store did so donning a suit and white gloves.
8. Safety. What a great feeling to be able to explore the city and not be worried about ending up in a bad neighborhood…none existed.
9. Common culture. Yup, everyone’s on the same page. Maybe that’s why all the neighborhoods are safe.
10. Food. Patrick’s digestive system is still protesting our return to the States.
11. Efficiency. Leave it to an Asian country to be efficient. I’m not even sure where to start with this one.
12. Everything’s smaller. The three sizes at Starbucks…short, tall, and grande. Venti is available by request (not listed on the menu though). Maybe that’s why their all so thin…nope didn’t see one fat Korean.
13. Sleeping in. Starbucks doesn’t open until 7AM on weekdays and 8AM on weekends. This may be an exclusively Patrick reason…I was a morning person BK*. (*Before Kids).
14. Elegance. The culture seems to be defined by it.
If you’ve been to Korea, we’d love to know what you love. Feel free to leave a comment.
I love the friendly people, the mountains, the flowers in springtime, the cute kids, the fun little stationery shops, the markets full of interesting things, the colors, the smells, the way you can get absolutely anywhere without a car.
Mostly the people.
wow….what a great list! I enjoyed reading this post. (and also a previous post in which you listed everything you did NOT do recently!)
Nancy
(I am on the holt bb, awaiting a referal)