The List

I have a little over 3 months left in Korea. One of my coworkers and I were talking the other day about how nice our neighborhood is and especially how friendly the people in our neighborhood are. We started rattling off a list of people that went out of their way to treat us nice here in Dongtan. My list included:

1. The owner of the "Blue Bar", our local bar. Not only do his eyes light up(probably with dollar signs) when we show up, but he really goes out of his way to take care of us. I can remember more than a couple times strange drunk businessmen coming over to harass us and them being shown the door very quickly.

2. The 4You24 couple. I have been visiting this store in Dongtan since we arrived in January of 2008. Not only do they always go out of their to speak to me, but always are curious about what's going on in my life.

3. The Yoga couple: I have never taken Yoga lessons and I don't really have a desire to so. A few of our other teachers go to yoga at their studio. I met them in the elevator about a year ago and they will cross the street to come say hello to me. They are probably some of the nicest people that I have met in Korea.

4. Mr Jun: Mr. Jun runs the Jun Mart near my house. He knows everything. He knows who I teach private lessons to. He knows what my wife likes for me to buy at his store. He always reminds me to buy things for my wife. He is a great guy. He has been harassing me to go drinking with him for about 6 months now. I am going to have to take him up on his offer soon.

5. Mr Pharmacy: This man runs the pharmacy that is located on the first floor of our school building. Not only does he always speak to me, but will go out of his way to help you. He actually took another teacher to the doctor and translated for him.

6. Mr Real Estate: This guy is funny. He sells real estate in our building and all I ever see him doing is playing badminton in his huge office or sleeping. When he sees me waiting on the elevator, he walks over and always attempts to say something in English. He is studying for the TOEIC test and is really just a beginner. With our help he can now distinguish between breakfast, lunch and dinner. Those elevator lessons are paying off for him. He is another one that really wants to go drinking with me. I speak to him in Korean 90% of the time, so I know that dinner would be really interesting.

7. Mr Family Mart: They recently sold their business to another family. He and his wife both worked at the store. They both didn't speak any English, but were wonderful people. He couldn't understand why I don't have any children and every time I saw him, he would remind me to start having children. I would always tell him that I don't have enough money for a child. His answer in Korean was always the same,"Your right, Your right,"

8. Addonnis Owners: Yes, your children go to our school, but you never look down on us when we have to much to drink at your bar. You always give us more service than we deserve. You go out of your way to make sure that we have a good time.

9. Mr Delivery Man: He regularly delivers food to our school. He sees me almost everyday. Everyday he almost wrecks his motorbike to go out of his way to say hello to me. I remember when he first found out which school that I worked out. He was quite surprised and now always looks for me to say hello.

10. Kimbap Heaven Workers: My Korean is not that good. You never laugh when I order incorrectly or when I can't figure out what I want(Ok, you laugh, but you always laugh with me, not at me.

11. The Singing Dentist: He is probably one of the nicest people I have ever met. He goes out of his way to make sure that I'm not in pain. His singing during dental procedures is quite soothing. He is always happy to see us and hopefully it isn't because I am spending enough money to buy him a new car.

12. Mr. Dakgalbi: He was one of the first restaurant owners to actively recruit English speakers to come to his restaurant in Dongtan. He speaks no English, but always says hello and treats us very well.