"I have consumed meat on a stick thinking it was chicken and to my surprise, it was really spicy deep fried squid which I have been purposefully avoiding squid and octopus. Apparently, they use squid powder In many foods here. I think it's as popular as ketchup in the states."
"I personally love street food in Korea the most! My favorite is a rice cake that has the consistency of dumpling covered in a spicy sauce. It is called tteok bok ki! I also enjoyed trying jjajangmyeon a cold black bean noodle dish(during the hot weather it was recommended)! I also love the experience cooking meat at the table on grills set there Bulgogi, dak galbi, and sam yup sal. Are my top meat choices. A local Korean was shocked that we don't have a sort of sharing of food culture the way they do here. We would choose one huge dish and then proceed to share the meal everyone at the table would partake."
"If you order singular meals, the food quantities are very small. They provide you with small portions. A liter of soda seems smaller that say a U.S. made soda. When you dine out you can't get a to-go container for your leftovers."
P.A.R.C. Mag: How is physical contact viewed there?
Ashley: "Among Koreans in public, I'd say it's rare. But lovers tend to flirt with one another and hold hands. It's cutesy flirting, nothing over the top like making out or PDA. PDA is actually frowned upon, especially among elders. Naturally, I am a hugger, so I have to remember not to hug strangers when saying goodbye because it can become awkward.
P.A.R.C. Mag: In terms of custom, what is considered respectful? Disrespectful?
Ashley: "Well, when giving or receiving anything you must use two hands. It is considered disrespectful to give or take things with one hand. It is a little challenging because I am getting used to it. Sometimes I forget when I am standing at the cash register and I extend one hand while my other hand is holding my wallet.
"Bowing is another custom it is used for acknowledgment. You must bow when you say hello and goodbye. There are different extents to bowing, you can bow from the waist or move your shoulders forward. It takes a while to get used to, I've never done bowing before. I've done a lot of bowing here, but I am learning. It's definitely a learning experience."
P.A.R.C. Mag: What is something that you feel that you need to get used to while staying in Korea?
Ashley: "I would say the doors and the bathrooms. (laughs) Believe it or not, the doors are nothing like the U.S. Yes they are automatic but there is a very small metal button or switch that you need to push just to get them open. I remember trying to enter a shop that was encased in glass and I was outside for about a minute trying to figure out how to get this door open. Luckily there was a person that saw me struggling and took me around the other side so that I could get in. It also happened to me at a bakery when I first arrived. The small metal button is kind of obscure."
"The bathrooms are unlike the U.S. Some of them look like small urinals in the middle of the floor while others have electronic toilets that are high tech with gadgets remotes and buttons. They take some getting use to."
Well, there you have it, our interview with Ashley Robbins. She was able to give us the skinny on what she has experienced and observed while being in S. Korea.
Reference:
http://www.learnkoreanlanguage.com/Korean-Culture.html