Just in case I had any doubts about where I am, my boss quickly reminded me within moments of walking into school today.
"Hi! How was your vacation?"
"It was fantastic! How are you doing?"
"Good!" (noticing my suntan) "You got sun bon."
"Yah, a little bit. It was very sunny in Canada."
"Your face looks bad."
"Jesus, Karen!"
"No, I mean you look better before."
"Karen!!"
"Is it rude?"
(No! Not at all! I always like to greet people I meet with- "Hey! How ya doin'? Sheesh, you are quite a bit uglier than the last time I saw you! Did you fall down an ugly-hole or something?")
"Uhhhh, yah. Lil' bit!"
The path less traveled
21 hours ago
6 comments:
I'm sure you look gorgeous..absolutely gorgeous...
I should be in Masan in roughly 10 days...!!!!!!
-Chris
I think when Koreans make a remark on physical change, it's probably more to show some interest in the person they're commenting on, rather than to give negative opinions, withoiut realising they might be misunderstood.
Hi, Christine from Canada, first time I comment on your blog; perhaps Karen meant "bad" in today's meaning of "really good"?
Thanks for commenting guys. I didn't take my bosses' comment to heart. I know that many Korean women will go out of their way to avoid the sun- staying inside and using their "whitening" cosmetics. My other Korean friends who are better travelled commented my tan makes me look "healthy," which is the general consensus of Western sun seekers and tanning-bed enthusiasts. Unless you look like a "leather face," that is!
Christine, I remember you! Your son is over here! You've commented before! Welcome back!
Oh, unless your face looks like this: http://igot2shoes.blogspot.com/2006/06/oh-oh-damage-done.html of course. Then "Your face looks bad," is understandable.
I have to teach my teachers that to the Western ear, negative comments about ones appearance are really never welcome.
Like Thumper sagely advised in Bambi "If you can't say something nice, then keep your fuckin gob closed."
Oh, and John- I'm SURE they love you-- who couldn't but love you?
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