Korean Job Discussion Forums

[AsiaESLbound]

My co-teacher told me today I'm invited next Thursday to an exhibition she's going to present some of her art work and wants me to bring a potted plant for her instead since flowers die. To be honest I wouldn't know where to buy such a simple thing as a small houseplant here and then it's just weird to be asked for a plant or flowers. I asked her why people would bring flowers to artists exhibiting and why artists would ask for them, but she didn't have an answer for me. What do you think and would you do it? I just think it's downright weird and don't feel right about it. I really don't have any interest in water color art and don't even want to go. I would be up for a modern art exhibition with worldly open minded people and diversity happening like you find in America and Europe, but that will have to wait for now.

[kiknkorea]

You can get plants at E-mart or Homeplus, no worries.

I don't really see how it's weird, if someone I know has a display and invites me, I'll make every effort to go as a courtesy. Plus, you could be surprised and there be something you like. But even if it's junk, I'd check it out anyway, but that's your call.

[madoka]

1. Artists tend to be weird.

2. I would suspect that she either blurted out something that she was merely thinking (wanting you to bring a plant) or she is a bit self-absorbed and didn't realize the imposition.

Either way, now that she's said it, your path is clear. A house plant is cheap and bringing it to her showing would be the nice and polite thing to do.

[cragesmure]

Bring her a nice painting of some flowers. That'll show her. They won't die.

[Oreovictim]

I hope that she doesn't expect you to buy one of those huge-a$$ ones that people set out when they open a business. I'd imagine that they're pretty expensive. (And would be a b!tch to carry, too.)
'

[AsiaESLbound]

Madoka, I'll pick #2. I just thought it was wierd to be asked for a plant. She didn't seem to understand when I asked where you'd find them for sale. (serious ?) with how obvious it is there aren't any around locally in plain eye sight where we are. I've never seen small plants and fresh flowers for sale here except in the underground of Seoul Gangnam Express Bus terminal.


We don't have Emart and Homeplus for 2 hours trip each way out here in Chungnam province unless you are in the Cheonan area. I know a small food mart locally is selling the big potted palm trees. I would imagine there is a small shop to buy stuff like that easy enough for Korean teachers to know about and find, but impossible for me to know so she takes it for granted not realizing shopping in Korea is where I stumble on bad luck. Heck, I wouldn't had ever known where to get stationary items if my co-teacher hadn't showed me.

[ED209]

All my pot plants die. Go to the 1000won store, get her plastic ones. They'll last forever.

[miiooan]

Most florists have potted plants. Cacti (cactuses?) are cheap. Actual flowers start around 10,000 and go up from there.

I personally think it's pretty cool to be told what is expected. Some cultural interactions in Korea are very "by the book." Example:
Housewarming party? Bring TP
Art gallery? Bring flowers

So it'll cost you 10,000w to be thought of as a civilized bloke. Up to you if you feel like shelling out.

[Adam Carolla]

[bassist33]

I'm going to have to say you haven't even tried looking. Perhaps you've never noticed such a shop, but there are certainly plant shops around. Plant shops are plentiful all over Korea. I will admit, I didn't notice many at first either until it was pointed out to me, but now it seems like there is one on about every block. Open your eyes or maybe just ask her where a shop is.

[AsiaESLbound]

I did ask her where such a shop is, but no answer. She's a nice person, but just doesn't seem to be knowledgeable at helping me find anything I want to know about. I really have no one to ask when I have a question about anything so I just do what I can on my own. I can ask as I did on several things, but never get an answer or help. Luckily, I've handled my money matters like billing errors on my own up to this point by getting a young banker who speaks some English to help me sort it out.

So it is a Korean custom for attendees to an art exhibit to bring flowers to the artists? I guess she let me know by requesting I bring a plant in place of flowers. When I asked, no response. She probably assumed I would already know this custom as if it was a global culture thing Americans do. There are so many things thought of as being American or global and modern, but are only customs unique to Korean culture.

Back home, you can buy plants in grocery stores and plant nurseries. I would guess you must to go to a certain market and that's where all of one certain kind of item is as I've seen with other things. You'd simply need to ask in Korean and be able to understand the answer well enough to navigate on those directions if you can't find something on your own. Or you just know something by having stumbled on it's location in the past during your walks.

[mimi belle]

[thegadfly]

I thought it was pretty common to bring flowers to any kind of artistic thing -- listening to someone sing or play an instrument in a recital/performance, act in a play, even giving speeches in a contest...even if you are just visiting someone for the first time, you bring something...I have brought flowers to lots of odd occasions, but I just kinda thought that is what you do here, like you bring a dish to pass at a potluck back home (a tradition that most Koreans I have discussed it with find weird).

I was quite surprised to see how far man won goes for mixed flowers. I was used to US flower prices, and I think I told the lady to make a 30,000 won bouquet...could barely carry the thing, and was actually embarassed to give it to her at the recital (but couldn't bring myself to leave it in the cab and buy a smaller one). I learned my lesson after that, and just asked for what they could make for man won -- surprisingly large, tasteful arrangements....

10,000 won for a plant, you'll seem like a nice bloke, and it shouldn't be much skin off your nose....

[interestedinhanguk]

I agree with the other. Just go for it, and you'll come off looking like a good person. It's major brownie points and potentially could save you from numerous headaches that she could cause (not saying she's vindictive, but getting on her good side can only help).

[AsiaESLbound]

It's cool. I'll do it. Now I just need to find a shop selling something. I walked around my city center yesterday, but didn't see any plants and flowers.