One of the things I enjoy and admire most about the Korean friends I've made here is their generous and welcoming spontaneity. They are always eager to include you in plans and are so direct and sincere in their delivery. They make you feel like a part of something special.
Our English academy shares the building with a math academy and yesterday one of the math teachers, Suin (Soo-in) invited me to see a movie with her. She explained that she'd just become a VIP member at the movie theater and had free tickets to see any movie we wanted. I happily accepted and we agreed to meet later that night at school.
Suin pulled up to the school in her little red car, which she endearingly dubbed "my BMW." She also promised that after the movie she'd be happy to "carry me back home." I loved her thoughtfulness! I complimented her on her English, (it is certainly better than my Korean) and in typical Korean fashion, she insisted that it is not very good.
Blogger's Note: That's the thing about Koreans - they never give themselves enough credit for how well they speak English. I think I've gotten the same response from anyone I've complimented on their abilities. I met a man on the subway the other day who struck up a conversation with me. The man was 60 years old and said he learned English in high school. He spoke so well, especially for having learned so long ago! He shook his head and waved his hand away when I told him this. Another time we went out with our Korean friend Christine (who will also inaccurately describe her English as poor). We somehow got to talking about the first rap song ever recorded and she responded, "Wow, so this song was really a sensation!" Poor English my ass : )
After we got our FREE tickets (and Suin pointed out the $0 price printed on the ticket with a friendly grin) it was on to the concession stand where I weakly protested against her buying me popcorn and a drink (I think we all know I will NEVER pass on movie popcorn). But she insisted - of course smiling all the while - and whispered "it's OK, I have the VIP points." Her cheerfulness and upbeat personality are infectious, to say the least.
We sat down with our snacks and waited for Suin's boyfriend, Sean, to join us. Sean is an American (mee-gook) from Boston and has been in Korea for about 5 years. He teaches English at a university in Busan. They are celebrating their 3rd anniversary together this weekend with a trip to the hot springs baths.
While we waited, Suin and I chatted about work, our families, hobbies and interests. We got around to our ages eventually and Suin told me she is "Baskin Robbins age" with a laugh. I had to laugh too and then gave her a friendly hug. We also made plans to go to SpaLand together, which is a public bath/spa/sauna at the World's Largest Department Store, Shinsegae. She pulled out a coupon to SpaLand and pressed it into my hand.
Then she also offered to help us book a hotel room for our 1st wedding anniversary next week. Bob and I want to spend a night at a hotel near the beach, just to get away and make the day special. But a lot of the hotels with an ocean view are very expensive. Suin told me she can get a discount with her credit card and would be happy to help us get a better deal on a room. (Our other friend/co-worker Kate also offered to help us with this venture. I'm telling you, Koreans are some of the most friendly and helpful people in the world.)
At the end of the night, I shouldn't have been surprised when Suin refused to drop me off at the entrance to our neighborhood. "I want to take you to your front door," she said.
I'm reading a book all about the Korean people and culture right now. The author says "if you were stuck on Mount Everest in a prolonged storm, there would be no more reliable and courageous a companion than a Korean."
I couldn't agree more.
***Bob & Lindsey***
