Cultural Clashes

Interesting Observations

Motorcycles drive on the sidewalks too!

• Some things you wouldn't expect are exorbitant and costly.
  

Korean women and girls go bananas when they see Sadie; taking pictures with their camera phones and touching her. I checked with someone on this and apparently it's because they find her to be soooo cute. I admit it does get a little annoying after a while.

• The apartment buildings all look like public housing. Because they have to quickly build many apartments (80% of Korea is made up of mountains), they just throw up these awful looking structures everywhere. It's quite a shame. Cabrini Green, here we come!

• There are huge golf driving ranges just randomly popped up all over the place, even in the middle of the countryside. They all have 2 or three levels. I have to get a picture soon for you.

Pleasant Surprises

• Paying for your plastic grocery bags. Most people bring their own. It appears there is a considerable effort to recycle here.


• Finding it agreeable to bow instead of wave and remove shoes at the door.


• Bakeries everywhere. The most delicious bakeries are found everywhere, on the streets, in the markets and dept stores.


• No tipping for services, restaurants or taxi cabs.


• Korean people are very healthy for the most part. I haven't seen one overweight person. They love to walk and hike, ride bikes, swim.