Cultural upbringings definitely influence who you are as a person. The older I get, the more undeniably Korean I realize I am.
Kimchi will always be my #1 condiment (with mayo as a close 2nd). Chopsticks will always be my most favorite utensil. And I will ALWAYS buy my ankle-length socks from Hanyang Korean Market in Flushing, Queens. I is who I is.
←Pucca! She’s Korean, like me!
Lately, I’ve been wondering if my Korean parents have left me with 2 social afflictions.
1) Hanging Up Without Saying Goodbye
In Korean, there’s no real way of saying “bye, now!” over the phone. Usually, you just kinda grunt a “mmm…uh-huh!” and kinda hang up. My parents never really said “bye” and lately, I’ve noticed I’ve picked up this odd habit. My friends will call me back and be like, “WTF?! Why did you hang up on me?”
What I fail to realize: not saying “bye” is considered RUDE.
Apologies to my non-Korean friends, but this is my cultural disclaimer. Don’t take it personal. But we Koreans just don’t say ‘bye on the phone. (Or it is just MY family?! LOL)
2) Food = Caring
I think this is true of Asian cultures in general. I remember when I was in China, the phrase “Ni chi le ma?” (“Have you eaten?”) was an old-fashioned way of asking “How you doin?”
My parents always felt like they were doing a good job if you had a distended belly full-o-food.
If you are ever a guest in my home, or visiting for the weekend, I won’t feel like I’ve been a successful hostess unless you leave 5 lbs heavier. It is what it is.
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Are there any other Koreans out there who experience similar afflictions?
I gotta say, though…KOREAN do what it do…right? 
Is it me? Or is it ’cause I’m Korean?
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I’m not used to #1 (not saying good-bye on the phone) but, if talking to older Korean relatives, I get it.
My parents, having lived through the Korean War, take food whenever they get it.
I totally agree with you on #2. Food is love, baby! I remember as a teen, the best way to get even with my parents was to declare that I wouldn’t eat dinner. Oh man, they would get so worried…wondered if I was dying. At our house, if you asked for ‘a little’ bit of food, you got regular portions.
I guess we all turn into our parents as we get older. And my parents are pretty awesome so I am enjoying the…transformation…?
#1 Totally know what you mean. LOL When I first lived in Korea back in 2000 I thought it was the oddest thing – often catching myself talking to a silent phone, having already been hung-up on.
#2 Food IS love. I love hanging around my family’s parents’ houses – the best meals of my year are at those times!
Dude, I hate when people hang up with out saying goodbye. Call me a little bitch, whatever. I’m not blaming you … just work on it.
And, if you want to invite me over to eat pounds of Korean food, I’ll humbly accept any invitations. As a born and bred NY’er, It wasn’t until last year that I found the wonderful world known as “K-Town”. I’ve since then become something of a K-Town Crack Addict. Spicy tofu soups, BBQ stuffs and kimchi have become a staple in my diet. If I’m lazy there’s a great place on 41st Street and Queens Blvd in Long Island City that makes a mean tofu soup, and their whole grilled squid is pretty great too. Anyway, I’m rambling, when are you inviting me over for home-cooked Korean? I know it’ll be weird because we don’t know each other, but I have all my shots and I’m neutered. Wait … scratch that last part.
Hey Christian,
I know the Tofu place you’re talking about – DELISH! But they tend to use a lil’ too much MSG for comfort. Have you tried Cho Dang Gol in the city? 35th Street – they make homemade tofu stew!
I hear ya about the hanging up thing. It’s not intentional – really, but sometimes I find myself doing it.
Congrats on being indoctrinated into the K-Town Cult.
I’ve never been to Cho Dang Goi. But I have feeling I’ll be going shortly, as I’ve been so lazy lately I pretty much eat out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Speaking of dinner, I found your blog while searching for Indian food in Astoria. You have an old article on Seva and I ended up going last night for the second time. I went when it 1st opened but I had forgotten about it and never found my way back. I had the Fennel Curry Chicken (for the 2nd time), now that’s a tasty little dish.
I’d have to say though if it was between some Fennel Curry or Haejangguk … I’m going Korean.
I dunno, sometimes I say “끊어!” but sometimes I’ll just say “mm..그래…안녕!”
I’m from LA and when I left (late 70′s) Koreatown was just in its infancy but I had my fave spots – I also had friends in Japan who were Korea – talk about a tough gig back then. Came to NYC – bad Chinese, and Japanese and Korean food were for “foreign” executives. Discovered Queens and of course Brooklyn Chinatown is huge now. I’m happy and fulfilled because my favorite Asian cuisines are now at the forefront of NYC eats. The culture is blended into all of NYC and that’s great too. PS: I LOVE Pucca too!!!
Hey Deepo,
Thx for leaving a comment! What are some of your favorite eateries?? Dying to know!
haha, i usually say bye to my american friends, not with my mom or korean relatives though. the only bad phone habit i’ve picked up is the korean grunt on the phone. instead of uh huh, uh huh, i grunt uhhh…uhhh. as to the food = love? I love you in korean is ohmma, pae goh bah! ;p