The Cure to Culture Shock: A Sense of Humor!

I have been reading a book my father bought me for Christmas about South Korea called--Culture Shock: Korea. The book is designed to provide readers a heads-up in regards to the culture shock they will face while living in Korea. Today was the first day that I experienced more than just normal frustrations and experienced Culture Shock.

I was sitting in the restaurant that I always have lunch in and was having a bit of trouble with the chopsticks. Normally I am pretty good with chopsticks, but in Korea I have found foods that have proven difficult to eat with these new utensils. While I was eating the woman that served me my food stood over me nearly my entire meal. This would prove slightly nerve-racking at any time. I did not want to be rude, so I did my best to ignore her. Then I began to experience difficulty with my chopsticks and the lady standing over me began to laugh and jeer at me, all in good nature albeit. It really began to get under my skin! She stood over me my entire meal laughing at my struggle. As if her alone laughing at me wasn't enough, she brought the attention of three other women to my situation all of whom began to join in on the supposedly laughable moment. At this point my anger, and I do mean anger, was intensifying. Had it been America, I surely would have gotten loud with the women. No matter the country and even in retrospect, it was inappropriate. I am out of my element in Korea, and I've always abided by the saying, "you don't poop in your own backyard." Since I eat there everyday and don't want to be rude, I bit my tongue and finished. Once I was out of the store, still fuming from the incident and the embarassment, I stopped, took a deep breath and laughed at my own follies. I had to realize that from their perspective a foreigner fumbling with chopsticks would probably be amusing. I laughed to myself and went back to work knowing I had conquered my first bout of culture shock. I learned a valuable lesson--whenever I feel overwhelmed that I should not get angry or frustrated, but laugh and realize that the moment will pass and that, metaphorically speaking, I will eventually get better with chopsticks.

KICKS ASS: They love coffee over here. It is cheap, and it is everywhere; you can get it anytime.

SUCKS ASS: They serve it about 4ozs. at a time and with as much cream and sugar as there is coffee.

(DID NOT PROOFREAD)