Ugly Koreans, Ugly Americans

By the way, that is the title of the book we received in the welcome packet at the army base. It describes cultural differences between Koreans and Americans alongside cartoon pictures. For example it explains that in Korea people of the same sex hold hands while walking as a sign of good friendship. Obviously American men mostly would find this extremely uncomfortable. It's true, when we take walks down the boardwalk at night, all of the girls are arm in arm. It's really charming to see the friendships. You always see two women walking together laughing and talking. I wish I knew what they were talking about and I'm envious of the friendships, but it really warms your heart. The men you don't see so much arm in arm but you do see a closeness in a different way than we are used to. It's very endearing and almost as if you skipped back in time.

The Korean Paparazzi persists. Here's where I'm not sure how to handle the situation. Every day that we venture out of the hotel we are stopped by what I call the paparazzi for my starlet, Sadie. There is something about American babies here that the Koreans, men, women, and children find so fascinating. They think she is so cute and pretty, but I don't understand the need to document it in their photo taking. No matter where we go there is someone who takes her picture. Now obviously in the states if a male stranger came up to your daughter and started snapping shots of her, you would call the police, but you know here there is no harm intended. I talked to my new American friend Kris about this. She has three young beautiful daughters all with long blond hair so you can imagine how many photos of her children have been taken. We wonder what they do with these pictures. Do they show them to friends and family, put them up on the Internet for people to see, put them in frames, what??? I just don't know if I should put my hand up and tell them no or just kind of ignore it like I have been? Anyhow, if anyone has any input, please let me know. After all it is my child and something I'm not accustomed to. It does make me feel a little uncomfortable. Any comments are appreciated.