When I arrived in Korea and went to orientation we were warned that Koreans tend to do everything very last minute, including telling you about something. I was fully prepared for this and a week into teaching realized this was extremely true. They don't mean to do it intentionally, it's just part of their culture. Just very last minute people. My friends and I have been told we have to teach an extra class 5 minutes before it starts, or told a class is cancelled as we're walking into the room. I just kind of take it with a grain of salt and roll with it. Well this also goes for when they tell you about "teacher outings."
It was about 4:15 on a Monday. ( Mondays in general are hard to get through with 4 classes and recovering from the weekend.) Anyways, I had planned to head home, take a quick nap and meet my friend for dinner. Well school ends at 4:20 so I begin packing up and my Korean friend who sits next to me says "Maybe all the teachers go to Sushi dinner."
Of course, 5 minutes before I am informed of this. Ha, standard. Anyways, it's also rude to decline an invite in their culture and it was the entire teaching staff going so I knew I had to go. I packed up my stuff and off we went.
I went with my two best Korean friends at school who are 26 and 24, closest in age to me. We arrive at the sushi place and there are long tables set up. It's Korean style so we take off our shoes and sit on floor. All the other teachers, about 45 total including the principal arrive and begin eating. I should have known this wasn't just "sushi." We are given a 10 course meal. Plate after plate of all differnt types of food and fish keep on coming. And by sushi, I mean actual raw fish and some with the head and tail still on. HA! when in Korea...
Well I am sitting at the long table with my Korean friends and many of the older male head teachers sit down. Being the only Americn among all these Koreans I am used to them asking many questions about me and being very curious. I always just laugh and smile even when I can't understand their broken English. Well next thing ya know the older male teachers are pouring soju shots (korean vodka) and pouring me many as well. I have to laugh a bit to think how different this is from American culture back home. "Ripping shots" with the boss isn't exactly seen as professional, but here they see it as a way to "bond" and get to know one another. Of course there was no way I was going to offend them so I'm toasting with the head teachers and attempting to eat the raw fish and gulp down the drinks in front of me. I had to capture this on camera so of course I start snapping away. I'm not sure if it's something that happens since birth but as soon as Koreans see a camera it's like a natural instinct that the peace sign flys up. No matter what age they are, every single time they see a camera they automatically do the peace sign. So, of course I join in.
A few hours later the Korean teachers who I thought spoke not a word of English are asking me questions about New York and my family in the best attempted English they know. Soju really brings out the best in people...haha.
I thought the night ended there but the next thing ya know I am asked "Do you have special schedule after?" A.K.A. Koreans way of asking "do you have plans?" I knew what was coming, and went with it anyway. I told them no, and next thing ya know they said, "Great! we go to Norebong."
Oh God, here it was, the moment everyone had warned me about. KOREANS LOVE KAROAKE! Especially after drinking Soju. I was actually pretty excited about this. Me and a bunch of Koreans heading into a private Norebong room to sing and dance the night away? On a Monday nonetheless.
We get there and the principal immediately puts a song on and begins singing. I am handed bells and some props so I just roll with it and start creating noise to attempt to go along with the song the best I can! I really wish a video camera captrued this sight..
Of course, as expected, they wanted me to pick and sing an English pop song. They turn to the English section and one teacher says "Britney spears! Maybe you sing Lucky, by Britney Spears." HA! out of all songs, I never in a million years thought I'd be singing Britney Spears at a Norebong with Koreans ever in my life.
Wellp, they turn on the song and it's my time to shine. And by shine, I mean trying to catch my breath between dying laughing in between singing "she's so lucky! she's a star!" in my best Britney voice I can manage. Unreal to say the least. By that point I think I'm actually gettinig into it.
After I finish, the P.E. teacher tells me he is going to sing me a song. He then begins singing "You're just too good to be true." HAHA! Hilarious. Gotta love it.
My Korean friend comes over to tell me one of the head teachers wants to lift me up. It was one of those moments where I couldn't decide if it was the Soju making me confuse things, or the loud music making me hear things so I asked, "lift me up?" she nodded as if it was the most normal thing ever said, and said "Yes, lift you in air!"
I instantly pictured those people at Bamitzfah's being lifted on a chair over their heads and then with my luck tumbling to the ground.
I roll with alot of weird stuff here but this was one thing I was a little unsure of. I think she could tell by the look on my face because she goes "It's okay, see look!" and jumps on the head teacher's back as he carries her around the room singing.
NO WAY! I could not do this. Haha, I just couldn't. But he persisted so next thing ya know I am lifted in the air and being carried around the room singing away. Yet another image to be captured forever.
The night didn't end there. We went to two other bars and one more Norebong. I tell you, these Koreans can eat and drink more than anyone I have ever met in my entire life and they will neither gain a pound nor be hungover the next day.
Around 12:45 a.m. I am dropped off at my house. The next morning came before I knew it and it was time to head to school. For a moment when I woke up I thought I had dreamt that entire night, but as soon as I got to school I got a lot of nods, smirks, smiles and a "good job," from the teachers. I then realized, nope, it wasn't a dream, it was just a casual night out with Koreans for some "sushi."
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