| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Corky
Joined: 06 Jan 2004
|
 Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 8:38 am Post subject: So there's this Korean student staying at my parents' house |
 |
|
My parents board students who are studying English at a university in my home town. They've been doing it for about 15 years, but they've never had a Korean student.
Right now they have a 45 year old businessman staying with them. Last week I got a worried email from my Dad. The student, Han Woo, wasn't interacting with anyone or saying very much. He was very reserved. He was a also a very quiet eater, contrary to what they'd heard about Korean eating habits. Something was wrong.
They didn't know what to do. He was coming home from school and going right to bed. I told my parents that it would be a good idea to make him some Korean food because Koreans tend to have a hard time eating non-Koren food when they travel. Here's the email I got back from my Dad tonight.
| Quote: |
Hi Son;
Han Woo finally found his groove thanks to you and Jinhee and your suggestions. He now is eating (a lot). There is a lot of slurping and smaking of lips going on. Mom got Kimchi. He mashes it; dunks it; practically worships it. She made some korean soup with a fish base (he said it was Kal Kuk Su) and he loved it. We are into noodles, lots of rice, chopsticks, you name it. He piles his plate higher and higher each meal now. It certainly turned his crank and he started spending time with us talking rather than taking off for his room at the first opportunity. He stills goes to bed early (around 9pm) but that is changing too. He now comes down to chat with us after his homework is done at night. Last night he went to bed at 9:45.
I tried to get him to sleep between the covers but he said he wanted to sleep on the FLOOR. He is more comfortable on the floor. I got him a little mat to sleep on and gave him another duvet. He claims everything is great. Who am I to question?
His English is really improving. He makes sentences and seems to understand much more. He is making good progress.
Gotta go. Got to help Mom make some Bulgogi!!!
Love,
...........................dad |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
IncognitoHFX
Joined: 06 May 2007
Location: Yeongtong, Suwon
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 8:46 am Post subject: |
|
|
Haha, that is priceless, and cute.
Its like pleasing a fickle puppy. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bejarano-korea
Joined: 13 Dec 2006
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:08 am Post subject: |
|
|
Good on your old man corky, he seems like a nice bloke.
My dad would have chinned the Korean by now and threw him out onto the
street! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Big_Bird
Joined: 31 Jan 2003
Location: Sometimes here sometimes there...
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:24 am Post subject: |
|
|
| bejarano-korea wrote: |
Good on your old man corky, he seems like a nice bloke.
My dad would have chinned the Korean by now and threw him out onto the
street! |
The' dun't stand fer any o' that buggery in Wigan! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
crescent
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Location: yes.
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:30 am Post subject: Re: So there's this Korean student staying at my parents' ho |
|
|
| Corky wrote: |
My parents board students who are studying English at a university in my home town. They've been doing it for about 15 years, but they've never had a Korean student.
Right now they have a 45 year old businessman staying with them. Last week I got a worried email from my Dad. The student, Han Woo, wasn't interacting with anyone or saying very much. He was very reserved. He was a also a very quiet eater, contrary to what they'd heard about Korean eating habits. Something was wrong.
They didn't know what to do. He was coming home from school and going right to bed. I told my parents that it would be a good idea to make him some Korean food because Koreans tend to have a hard time eating non-Koren food when they travel. Here's the email I got back from my Dad tonight.
| Quote: |
Hi Son;
Han Woo finally found his groove thanks to you and Jinhee and your suggestions. He now is eating (a lot). There is a lot of slurping and smaking of lips going on. Mom got Kimchi. He mashes it; dunks it; practically worships it. She made some korean soup with a fish base (he said it was Kal Kuk Su) and he loved it. We are into noodles, lots of rice, chopsticks, you name it. He piles his plate higher and higher each meal now. It certainly turned his crank and he started spending time with us talking rather than taking off for his room at the first opportunity. He stills goes to bed early (around 9pm) but that is changing too. He now comes down to chat with us after his homework is done at night. Last night he went to bed at 9:45.
I tried to get him to sleep between the covers but he said he wanted to sleep on the FLOOR. He is more comfortable on the floor. I got him a little mat to sleep on and gave him another duvet. He claims everything is great. Who am I to question?
His English is really improving. He makes sentences and seems to understand much more. He is making good progress.
Gotta go. Got to help Mom make some Bulgogi!!!
Love,
...........................dad |
|
1. How is the boarder able to understand university lectures, yet can barely speak english in the house?
2. How was your mother able to make Kal Guk Su without even knowing what it was called.
3. How is your father trying to get him to sleep 'between the covers'?
Sounds like your parents are The Cleavers. You sure your name is Corky and not Beaver? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
kimchi_pizza
Joined: 24 Jul 2006
Location: "Get back on the bus! Here it comes!"
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 12:58 pm Post subject: Re: So there's this Korean student staying at my parents' ho |
|
|
Sounds like someone didn't get his nappy-poo. An average (North?)American family goes outta their way to help a Korean and you knock'em. Culture shock is just as difficult for a 40-something Korean as it is for anyone else if not more so 'cause he's set in his ways. Heaven forbid you ever have trouble adjusting, but then again you sound like you still do.
Good story Corky and good on your family as well! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dogshed
Joined: 28 Apr 2006
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 1:05 pm Post subject: Re: So there's this Korean student staying at my parents' ho |
|
|
| crescent wrote: |
1. How is the boarder able to understand university lectures, yet can barely speak english in the house?
2. How was your mother able to make Kal Guk Su without even knowing what it was called.
|
1. He did say they take in boarders that are there to study English. I'm assuming he's taking English classes and not regular classes.
2. I can make this one Greek dish that I learned from a cookbook years ago. I don't remember the name. It is possible to cook things without knowing the name of the dish. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Young FRANKenstein
Joined: 02 Oct 2006
Location: Castle Frankenstein (that's FRONKensteen)
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 2:42 pm Post subject: Re: So there's this Korean student staying at my parents' ho |
|
|
| crescent wrote: |
1. How is the boarder able to understand university lectures, yet can barely speak english in the house?
2. How was your mother able to make Kal Guk Su without even knowing what it was called. |
1. Listening Speaking, no same same.
2. It was probably chicken noodle soup. He was the long flat noodels and said "OOH! Kalguksoo!" |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mrsquirrel
Joined: 13 Dec 2006
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 3:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| bejarano-korea wrote: |
Good on your old man corky, he seems like a nice bloke.
My dad would have chinned the Korean by now and threw him out onto the
street! |
Fantastic, didn't know there were any other Northerners out here.
--
On the noisy eating thing.
Did cultural differences with my class. Slipped in a couple of extras for fun - Spitting on the street and eating noisily.
Is it ok to spit on the street in Korea - Class replies - no no it's dirty it's not ok. What about blowing your nose out on the street? No no that's dirty.
Ok then what about eating noisily, smacking your lips, chomping and slurping soup (with demonstrations) - Kids - No no, can't do that, not polite to do that here K-teacher - no we don't do that.
I love it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
spliff
Joined: 19 Jan 2004
Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 3:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| 1. How is the boarder able to understand university lectures, yet can barely speak english in the house? |
The guy is studying esl English....lectures?  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bassexpander
Joined: 13 Sep 2007
Location: Someplace you'd rather be.
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 3:32 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Lay off the parents.
Thanks to them, we may have avoided another Virginia Tech... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
RedRob
Joined: 07 Jul 2003
Location: Narnia
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 4:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Congarts Mr Bass, you win the certificate for the stupidist post of the week. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
KumaraKitty
Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Location: Bucheon
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 4:05 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| If his mother searched out a recipe without knowing any Korean, she most likely would find something called "Korean noodle soup" or "Marinated Korean beef" since "Kalguksu" or "Bulgogi" would mean nothing to someone who doesn't know Korean. It's not that hard to figure out that not every dish from a foreign country keeps it's native name once you move to a Western country. Most people wouldn't have a clue what "Kalbi" or "Bulgogi" is, but you mention "Korean BBQ" and they've heard of it! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Dome Vans
Guest
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 4:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| Fantastic, didn't know there were any other Northerners out here. |
geron wi' ye! There's loads. Well 5 i think, by counting so far. I miss blinged up chavs, any chance of getting some shipped over??? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tzechuk
Joined: 20 Dec 2004
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 4:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| This is so cute. Your parents are really good people. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
