7 Things I Don't Miss From America

I think after spending time anywhere you come to the realization that there are just some things that you really don't miss. After living here in Korea for 2 plus years now, I can honestly say that the following things are not missed! There are , of course, a string of things that I do miss and those will be covered next week.

1. McDonald's, Burger King, Dairy Queen, Krystal, White Castle, Sonic, Wendy's, Hardees, Chick Fillet, Taco Bell on every corner.

We have most of these in Korea, but there are not everywhere and at least require some dedication to visit. Unlike in America, where you can find them on every corner of every intersection of every street in every city. This is where my significant weight loss came from. Here the healthy alternative is the Kimbap Nation or Kimbap Heaven or generic fast food Korean style restaurant. Now these places are literally everywhere and you have no problem finding them once you know what you are looking for. When I first came to Korea, I was hesitant to try these places alone, but now I treat them just like Burger King back home ,but order something decently healthy.

2. Having to drive everywhere

When I was home a month ago, I got up early one Saturday morning and poured me a bowl of the most sugary cereal I could find in the house. My mouth was watering at the sugar just falling off of the flakes. I quickly went to the refrigerator to find that we were out of milk. So, I had to go upstairs, change clothes, find my keys and drive 10 minutes to the nearest store for a damn jug of milk. If the same thing happens here, I throw on my coat and walk the 1 minute to the store next to my apartment.
Another plus about not having to drive is never having to worry about a D.D. We go out with friends and I am not the biggest drinker in the world, but do enjoy a nice adult barley beverage or 4 every now and again. While in Mississippi, the question was always "Who is gonna drive?" Here, If i have had to much to drink, I grab a cab or take a bus. Which is the same thing I would do if I had nothing to drink.

3. Lack of Customer Service

This one really gripes me. I go into a store back home and I'm not even greeted. This is not the biggest deal in the world, but at least acknowledge me if I am going to spend money in your shop. At the very least in Korea when you walk in to a store you get a "안녕히세요?" (Hello) or a "어서 오세요" (Welcome). Fast food restaurants are the absolute worse and I swear they must train their employees in ways to give bad service. (also, what language do they speak at the drive thru window? Can anyone actually understand them?) See my friend Bo's post over at MADCO for his thoughts on this.

4. Lack of Respect

I know that this is changing in Korea and that children are becoming more and more Westernized, but I really do love the respect that they show elders. I have seen older people tell children to stop being loud or playing around on the subway. If this happened in America, I can only think that the older person would be learning some new words. The children would tell the elder that he/she is not their mother or father and keep on acting crazy. One of my favorite stories to tell is about 2 boys on the subway in Seoul. They were being loud and actually starting spitting on the floor. I guess they were about 10-13 years old. There was a guy who looked like he was fresh out of military service who walked over and told them to clean up their spit and to calm down. The children looked like they had been caught acting bad by God and calmly started to clean up their mess.

5. Danger Level

I never worry about getting robbed or having some other crime committed against me in Korea. I am not saying that Korea does not have crime, but I know that walking home at night, I have never been nervous. I have walked some streets in the U.S. and been weary of every other person on the street. I just generally feel safer here than back home. This could be the language barrier, but I have never been approached by someone asking for money. I know that there are plenty of beggars in Korea, but no one has sought me out to ask me to give them money like they have in the States. If I have to take money out of an ATM in the States, I am looking over my shoulder.(reminds me of the Chris Rock joke that he took some heat for)

6. Rent/Tax Rate

This one really only applies to English teachers, but I really do not miss paying rent and the 32% taxes. My first teaching job was in Mississippi at Velma Jackson High School. After taxes I ended up clearing the same amount that I did here as a first year teacher. You throw in the free apartment and I was doing much better than teaching at home. My tax rate here is super low. I am not sure exactly how much it is, but I know that it is way less than the 30% they were taking from my check back home.

7. Medical Cost/Dental Cost

Before I came to Korea, I had the flu and had to go to the Doctor for some meds. I spent about an hour waiting saw the doctor and he prescribed some cough syrup and some antibotics. Total cost of everything was about $200 My health insurance through the State of Mississippi had a $200 deductible, I believe. I go to the doctor here with a cold and then I walk next door to the Pharmacy and the total cost in around $7. Last year I had a tooth extracted here and walked away from that one paying about $7.50. I will not go into comparing the medical expertise here and in the States, but I have always been satisfied with the care that I have been giving. I have gone through a couple dentists due to the pain factor though!


Next Week's Topic: 7 Things I Miss From America