Korean Customs

Although I grew up in a home with parents who were born and raised in America, most of my brothers and sisters and I are Korean. We spent the majority of our lives in America and could not possibly remember or understand the customs from Korea. My parents wore shoes in our home like the majority of Americans (their biological daughter Susan wears them in the house also). We adoptees naturally took off our shoes to enter our home (which is Korean custom ); how on earth would I have known to do that since I came over at one month of age? That is amazing to me.

A custom that I have not enjoyed and will not miss is the way that one disposes of toilet paper. You cannot flush it in the toilet - you must throw it into the waste paper can and not all are covered cans. Additionally, many public places have their toilets as an opening in the floor for men and women and do not stock toilet paper. One learns very quickly to carry it with you, together with hand sanitizer. yuk!

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are at 7:30 am, 12:00 pm, and 5:00 pm sharp. Rice, Kim (dried seaweed) and Kim Chee are served at all three meals! Although I feel as though I cannot get enough of the Kim and Kim Chee, I am unable to eat it in the morning. It is funny to me that I have always craved Kim Chee (my mouth waters when someone mentions it); and I devour it with my meals. I am wondering if I will feel the same when I return to the United States.

Koreans have specific sandals that one must wear to go into the bathroom - no bare feet! That includes using the toilet and the shower/tub.

Soup is served with evry meal. They especially love one that is made from the leftover bean curd and has a rather rank odor. Fish is another very common soup that is served, as-well-as seaweed soup and a couple of others that I cannot remember how they are made.

The water is unsafe for anyone to drink. All people have water filters that typically provide both cold and scalding hot water. It is nice to have it so handy.

Koreans do not drink many liquids. There is no coffee, tea or water served with meals. After they eat, they may drink but you must ask for water if you want it with a meal. Also, most places do not sell soda or coffee. You either wait until you are finished eating or bring it with you.

Korea is very safe. There is a very low crime rate because punishment is swift and suitable. Murder is almost unheard of in this country (guns are prohibited except for hunting... then they have to leave them with the police).

People are not required to get a vendor's license to sell things. People randomly set up shop all over the place, selling anything from clothing to fruits and vegetables.

Yes, dog is eaten here and very expensive; men believe that it makes them more verile and women believe it makes them smarter. There are specific breeds of dogs raised for the purpose of being eaten (Chandler and I were invited for dog at a house mothers' barbeque...we declined!) Others raise dogs and cats as pets.

Molly says that Koreans have very high blood pressure as a general rule. They live by so many rules and customs plus the majority of their food is way high in sodium. When they make instant coffee or tea (pre-measured packets) they only use 1/2 of the recommended water because they like it SWEET!