Vlogger Megan Bowen who lives in Korea and is married to a Korean national shared the awkward situations that occur in Korea.
As a foreigner living in Korea, she’s personally experienced these awkward situations and says she doesn’t know how to deal with them herself!
1. They’re very matter-of-fact
Even if I see clearly one of them is more attractive, my American self is like, ‘You look equal.’
—Megan
Megan said this thing happens about four times a year, where people will ask her who is more attractive and she finds it very awkward.
2. Getting asked, “How do you speak Korean so well?”
People who are in Korea should be able to speak Korean…?
—Megan
Megan said that she’s asked every day how she speaks Korean so well. Another vlogger, Rachel Kim, addressed this in one of her videos sharing that Korean people actually mean it as a compliment!
3. Impromptu speeches
She notes Koreans love impromptu speeches and she was once asked to make a speech for government officials, which she kept very simple.
4. Have a song prepared for karaoke
Another thing you need to know is that you need to have a song prepared for karaoke because at all of these events they will always, almost always, have some sort of karaoke and everyone has to sing a song.
—Megan
5. Violations of personal space
This has happened to her about once a year, but older Korean women will touch you if they think you have a nice body.
And, I’m like… ‘You touched my butt. Okay. Thanks.’
—Megan
6. Older people tend to stare a lot
As an American, Megan is used to people looking away when you catch them staring, but in Korea, even if you see people staring at you, they won’t look away.
Sometimes they’ll walk closer to get a closer look to stare at you.
—Megan
7. People will ask you to get stuff for them
Megan notes that Korean people often ask each other to get stuff for them, but on the flip side, they will also get anything you ask of them. She speculates that perhaps this is due to a more communal mindset.
In Korea, it’s really different. People will ask you to get stuff for them a lot and I just feel like, bro, you have arms and legs.
—Megan
Have you ever visited Korea? Have you experienced any of the things Megan shared in her video?
