Korea Herald 20090225

18

COMMUNITY

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2009

Be a Nate instead of a nothing Expat Living is a section dedicated to the daily living of expatriates. It is printed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. To share stories about your life abroad, send stories or story ideas to Matthew Lamers at [email protected] Submissions may be edited for length or clarity.

This is how long I have been here By Melissa Perry

I’ve been in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, since Dec. 14, 2008. That’s 2 months and 1 week, or 68 days. But such a measurement doesn’t justly explain how long I have been in this country. As I grapple with whether it feels more as though I just arrived or as though I have been here forever, I tend to conceptualize the duration of my time in Korea through my experiences here and how those experiences have shaped my knowledge of this country. For one, I measure my time in Korea through a semi-regular inventory of the many disposable items I brought with me from home. I have been living in Korea for the length of time that it has taken my

Obviously, expats would function better and enjoy their time in Korea more if they lived in a community: all humans do. The hard part is knowing where to find it. Even in densely populated Korean cities, it can be difficult for expats to get connected, and along with the language, culture and schedule barriers preventing networks from forming, there is another impediment to community which is completely surmountable: the initiative block. My friend Evan is new in Korea: we knew each other back in Canada, and here in Korea we once had an interesting conversation. Evan’s church has a couple of English services each Sunday, which attract a couple hundred people. There were a handful of people Evan had met there, either during or after church. These people had enough interest in each other

By Rob Ouwehand

that it would be nice, Evan reflected, if they could meet in other contexts than just the usual chatting semi-circle, with the possibility of an after-service coffee shop meet and greet. In a completely different context, during my second year in Korea, I lived in a suburb of Seoul where there was a foreigner bar — a bar that had been unofficially designated the place where foreigners from the district met on Friday or Saturday nights. At that bar, it was surprising how often the same faces showed up: we knew each other by name, and had good times together over drinks; sometimes we even got each

other’s phone numbers and such. However, the only activity we ever did together was trade shots. While the conversations had over a brew or a cocktail can be interesting, drinking buddy gets to be a pretty one-dimensional relationship after a while. Yet, to our detriment, nobody ever collected those phone numbers, sent out a bulletin, and suggested a hike or a brunch, instead of the same old drinking. Drinking buddies we remained, and nothing more. When somebody left Korea, they weren’t much missed, and when somebody new arrived, we weren’t much excited: The beer buzz probably mattered more to most of us after a week of tiring teaching. Nice as they might have been, I am no longer in touch with any of the people I met at that bar. For Evan’s case, things

course you would finish a stranger’s drink if you would just as easily share a bowl of soup with him. I have been in Korea long enough to know that the people here who wear surgical masks are not germaphobes. Okay, some of them are, but most are simply taking advantage of the warmth of their breath to keep their noses warm. The temperatures here are incomparable to those at home but it does get pretty chilly here. Finally, I’ve been in Korea long enough to know that when I leave my tiny apartment and make my way, dodging scooters and wayward vehicles, to a local mart or bong, people will notice me. They may look (maybe even stare) at me. And they will do their best (or encourage their children) to utter a greeting to me in my native language of English. I have been in Korea long enough to feel honored to respond by offering up my best attempt at “annyong haseyo.” ([email protected])

those first calls, but the possible benefits far outweigh the risks of losing a little face. There is nothing stopping any expat in Korea from being a Nate, instead of waiting for one to come along. Setting a time and place isn’t that hard, and everyone will remember, and thank, the one who finally got the ball rolling. That person could be you! If you know about, or are a member of a community where expats meet, connect, or support each other, drop me a line at [email protected] with the word “community” in the subject line. Tell me when and where you meet, and why you think I should feature your group. To contact Rob, e-mail [email protected] or go to roboseyo.blogspot.com — Ed.

Sitting on both sides of the fence

ging are widely-acceptable within the parameters of Korean masculinity. It was alarming the first time I witnessed a complete stranger hold Tom’s hand but since then I have come to find the gesture quite endearing. I have been in Korea long enough to feel comfortable when someone tries to feed me. I have come to enjoy the surprise that goes along with the uninhibited sharing of a snack. It has led me to appreciate the communal way with which people eat here. My jaw dropped the first time I witnessed a busboy drain his recently-departed customer’s water glass in order to clear the table more efficiently but I recovered quickly when I reconsidered the ways in which people here consume food. Of

I have been in Korea long enough not to be surprised when someone I don’t know touches me. In Korea, bodily contact is not shied away from. Rather, it is exhibited widely and across boundaries which seem impermeable in North America. Women stroll arm-in-arm down the street but, more shockingly, men openly caress and make sustained contact with other men. boyfriend, Tom and I to go through one and a half tubes of toothpaste, two sticks of deodorant and 20 rolls of toilet paper. These sorts of daily necessities provide me with a sensible measure of time because they solidify my quotidian existence in this place. Overall, I live very similarly in South Korea as I did in Canada: I brush my teeth, I deodorize and, well, I have many uses for a roll of toilet paper. These items provide me with a gauge of time progression, but my reactions to my surroundings also help me measure how long I have been in Korea. For instance, I have been in Korea long enough not to be surprised when someone I don’t know touches me. In Korea, bodily contact is not shied away from. Rather, it is exhibited widely and across boundaries which seem impermeable in North America. Women stroll arm-in-arm down the street but, more shockingly, men openly caress and make sustained contact with other men. Handholding and hug-

turned out better. A guy named Nate gathered the phone numbers of all the people he’d met after church, set a time and place, and invited them to meet during the week. The group is now scheduling regular meetings in a couple of locations, and moreover, building and deepening friendships. Though anyone could have done the same, everyone is glad Nate picked up the ball. The great thing is, it doesn’t take much to be a Nate instead of a nothing. Most people are interested in improving their support systems and friendships. All it takes to be a Nate is to gather those phone numbers or e-mail addresses, and set a time and place. Starting a Facebook group is easier still. All involved will be on the way toward a viable community, and a better experience of Korea. Sure, it’s a bit scary to make

PHOTO CHALLENGE WINNER — The bassist of Galaxy Express takes a drink during a perforJosh Leeker mance at Club FF in Hongdae, on Feb. 13.

Keep your eyes open IN FOCUS By Aaron Raisey

The Photo Challenge is sponsored by Hyosung Camera (English: 010-7203-9599) and Babo Shirts (www.baboshirts.com). Winners of the weekly competition receive a 50,000 won store credit at Hyosung Camera and a Babo Shirt. To take part in the competition, simply upload your photo at www.flickr.com/groups/seoulphotoclub — Ed. As expats, when we arrive in a new place we are most often in tourist mode. We happily visit those places that everyone goes to. We see the things that everyone sees. We take the pictures that everyone takes. Sooner or later however, we reach a point where things start to look the same. This is especially true in Korea. We all have many pictures of temples, of markets, of food stalls on the side of the road. In the course of our daily lives we tread the beaten path from home to work and back again. On the weekends we often perpetuate a cycle of late nights and sleeping in. We see the same things on a day-to-day basis and we feel the need to travel further to see and photograph something new and exciting. So, where is the next challenge? It may be closer than you think. I was out walking one weekend a couple of

weeks ago when I spied a small Buddhist shrine behind a couple of buildings. Nothing unusual in that, you might think, but it was a place I had been walking past almost every day for the last 2 years. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t seen it before. It hammered home the point that if we keep our eyes open there are great photographic opportunities all around us. So keep a watchful eye out in the course of your daily commute. Whether you walk, take the bus or whatever, pay attention. You never know what new and interesting things are passing you by unnoticed. Take a different route. Wander off the beaten track a little. Go to the “old” places, but use them as a starting point for perhaps navigating some back alleys and streets nearby. You will probably see some things you haven’t seen before, meet some interesting people and be presented with some unique and interesting photographic opportunities. Visit the usual places at night, things look very different during the evening hours and are often inhabited by a very different kind people. As an alternative, instead of looking for different things close to home, look at the things close to home in a different way. Try a different lens. A wide or ultra-wide lens makes a big difference to how we view the world and presents some unique photographic challenges. The most important things are to keep your eyes open, be prepared to take a detour now and again, and to continue to take photos. ([email protected])

I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you that times are hard right now because of our financial situation. The U.S. financial problems come after many years of (tax cuts that favor the wealthy/wasteful government spending), leaving our country to face a staggering national debt. Of course, our financial problems have been compounded due to the (misguided foreign policy of the past administration/the threat of Islamofascism), which has placed our troops abroad, putting their lives at risk (in an endless war being waged over false pretensions/to protect our way of life). Now, our economy faces serious danger due to (a lack of financial oversight/the interference of Big Government). (Because of/Despite) our obvious need, President Obama has prepared a (sweeping/wasteful) (stimulus/ “stimulus”) bill that seeks to solve our economic woes by (getting Americans working again/carelessly throwing money at the problem). This spending plan recalls former President Franklin Roosevelt’s (visionary/unnecessary) New Deal programs of the 1930s, which (gave hope to and took care of Americans in their time of need/delayed our recovery from the Great Depression until World War II). Despite (petty partisan/brave) opposition from Republicans who (squandered any credibility they had on fiscal matters while they controlled Congress and the presidency/don’t think our economy can be saved with more pork spending and government bureaucracy), this bill passed along heavily partisan lines. Many of you may be wondering what this bill means for you. For starters, the bill (calls for new money devoted to jobless benefits, renewable energy projects and other beneficial programs/raises our national debt to $12 trillion). (Also/Unfortunately), it will grant average Americans ($300 billion/an insufficient amount) in tax breaks, about $10 billion of which will go to businesses who invest in (green, renewable sources of energy/junk science). The spending will (provide work to Americans in modernizing and improving our nation’s infrastructure/put our nation’s future at risk of hyperinflation as we keep printing money of no inherent value). President Obama’s response to the skyrocketing federal budget deficit is to raise taxes on (those making $250,000 in income per year/the most productive of Americans), thus (cutting our deficit in half in four years/penalizing success and returning to liberal tax-and-spend governing). He also plans to (wind down our unnecessary involvement/complete an irresponsible withdrawal) in Iraq that will (save money on our defense budget getting American troops out of harm’s way/constitute a surrender to America’s enemies in the War

By Rob York

on Terror). How did it ever come to this? Some introspection is required: (Democrats/Republicans) did lose their way over the years, abandoning their (progressive/responsible) roots and acquiescing to irresponsible (tax cuts and military adventurism/spending and government intervention). The best thing for the party, and for our country, is them to return to their (populist/conservative) roots. We know that the news that you’re hearing out of Washington can be scary, and you may be wondering what you can do in these times that (short-sighted deregulation/runaway government spending) have led to. One thing that certainly needs to change is our nation’s overreliance on (the free market to provide for all our needs/borrowing for the purpose of living beyond our means). In all honesty, American consumers as a whole are partly to blame for this, as they have year after year gone into debt by spending and borrowing more than they could ever pay back and expecting that such a lifestyle supported by (greed/recklessness) could go on. Besides making a point to live within your means and pay as you go, you can make a difference at the voting booth and by contacting your elected representatives. Let the irresponsible (Republicans/Democrats) know that their overreliance on Big (Business/Government) no longer holds water and that we can only solve our current troubles by (helping one another and spreading the wealth/putting our faith in the market rather than in government bureaucrats). The (Republicans’/Democrats’) (laissez-faire/spendthrift) approach has already been tried under the administrations of (George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan/FDR and Lyndon Johnson) and it didn’t work then, either. Furthermore, let your Congressmen and Senators know that you side with (President Obama/the Republican opposition) and you do not believe in the failed (fiscally irresponsible/liberal) approach being promoted by (his/their) opponents in (talk radio and the far-right blogosphere/the liberal media). The (Republicans/Democrats) are ideologically bankrupt, and if we follow them we will be also. (President Obama/Conservative Republicans) (has/have) put (his/their) faith in (our shared sense of hope/the values we all share) and (is/are) sure that this is our way out of the wilderness. All you have to do is trust (him/them). (He has/They have) faith in the common good of Americans. ([email protected])