Cultural Differences

Blake and I have adjusted to most of the cultural differences we experience in South Korea , but teaching in public schools has provided us with some new ones we haven't encountered before. I guess our employers at our old schools were accustomed to dealing with us foreigners and had mostly (note mostly) worked out the kinks when it came to those cultural differences. I am the only white person at my school for 600 kids (which apparently is a small size) and this has given me a whole new perspective on Korean culture. One difference between Canadian schools and Korean schools is that they provide lunch here, but you must bring your own toilet paper. I find that so weird!

One teacher at my school has taken responsibility for making me feel welcome at lunchtime. Based on body language and context I'm pretty sure the principal commissioned him to talk to me when I was sitting alone on the first day. He can't speak English well, but he told me he likes it because he's getting free English lessons out of the deal. He's started to write me messages because his wife has told him his English writing needs improvement too. He's a pretty funny guy and tries hard so I'm humoured so far. :)

Blake is one of the only male teachers at his school and apparently the female teachers are tickled pink to have another guy around. Blake told me today that the conversation with the girls revolved around household duties and some were saying how their husbands don't help much. This past weekend was Thanksgiving where a great deal of food is prepared and women have a lot of responsibility. Blake was asked what sort of things he did around the house and they were shocked to learn he takes primary responsibility for laundry. He was pretty quick to share with me that those teachers thought that he was just a dream. I have such a gem on my hands! :)