Turning Korean

Anyong Haseyo!

Hello!

I hope you are all well.

I have had a lovely day. A pleasant end to the week indeed.

What have I been up to? Well, I have been attempting to learn Korean, and have a few more words under my belt than I did the week before.

Korean is an incredibly difficult language to learn. At least, that has been my experience. It does not have the additional complication of tones, as is the case with Chinese, but there are several different ways of structuring sentences, depending on who you are speaking to, or are in the company of. There are also sounds and sentence structure rules that English doesn't have.

Mr. Housewife

Why Korean? Well, I want to learn an Asian language, I believe it will be easier than Chinese, and I work with lovely Korean people. I also plan to learn some Italian, but one thing at a time!

I learnt British Sign Language a few years ago too, and fully intend to attend classes in Australian Sign Language - Auslan.

But that will be next year.

I am one of only a few people at my place of work who speaks only one (verbal) language, and I aim to remedy that. Knowing a few words here and there, of this and that, is longer acceptable to me.

Australia is truly a multi-cultural country and I want to be a part of it.

In trying to learn Korean, I have bought a CD-ROM and a book. I have downloaded iPhone apps. I have asked endless questions, clarifying what words, what order, and how to pronounce them, of my Korean colleagues who have been polite, patient and very generous with their time.

Speed Scandal

I plan to immerse myself as much as possible in all things Korean. YouTube is also a great resource. I have watched a few Korean movies on this website, two of my favourites being "Mr. Housewife" and "Speed Scandal". Korean movies definitely have their own flavour, are well made and make unique use of humour.

On Friday night we ate out at a Korean restaurant. The food was spicy and delicious. The customers, other than us, appeared all to be Korean. Everyone was well groomed and polite. People were dressed in suits and formal wear. The service was great too. Everything, from the furniture to the decor, seemed so clean and fresh.

The cultural differences were highlighted for me today when we ate at a local "Fasta Pasta". I had forgotten today was Father's Day in Australia ( a different date from the UK ) and the place was very busy with families celebrating the special day. So, even with today being a "special" day, the "western" people were dressed in tracksuits, sweatpants, trainers...

The service was also poor. We were seated and abandoned...Eventually we managed to order, and had a satisfactory meal. I had just placed the last of the food in my mouth, as a girl came to the table and took my plate away. I felt like we were most definitely being rushed out the door.

Why do so many people seem to not make an effort, with how they present themselves in public, or with the poor service provided? Is it just another sign of the apathy that is eating away at society? Is it a lack of true respect?

Korea, from what I have read and from what my colleagues have told me, has a very strict, almost unspoken, structured and hierarchical society, where respect and "doing your best" is not appreciated, but expected as the norm. It would probably be too structured for my nature, but a balance between my western life and some of these Asian values would be great.

What have you been up to?