Honestly, whenever someone who’s not Korean tells me that they’re learning Korean or interested in Korean culture, I’m never excited. I’m wary and suspicious. I’ll smile and say, “Wow. That’s so cool and awesome!” [/fake kc enthusiasm] but really, I’m putting you on my list to watch if you’re going to turn into some gross Korean wannabe.
Because let’s face it, anyone NOW who gets into Korean culture and tries to learn the language, can do it anywhere and for free (although doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get quality lessons). Take a couple classes, watch a few Korean dramas, eat a little bit of our food and you think it’s great.
There’s literally no risk to you or backlash. In fact, you probably will appear cultured or sophisticated because OMG you’re learning an Asian language.
My mom was at the hospital and a nurse asked her a question. This nurse didn’t even wait for 1 fucking second before YELLING the question in a sharp voice because my mom didn’t answer fast enough since it takes her a few seconds to put the words together. And there was no emergency or time crunch for the nurse to need an answer so quickly. My dad has had me writing letters/notes/emails and calling up service/bill phone numbers since I was 8 years old because he KNOWS that my “perfect” English will get more attention and patience than his version of English. Both of my parents know very well that they are treated poorly or ignored completely because their English is accented and missing a few verbs.
And I’m expected to be thrilled that a non-Korean is learning Korean? I’m supposed to be grateful? So fucking what.
My parents make a bigger deal of American holidays than Korean ones because their kids need that social context to fit in. They know it’s a necessity, not some fun hobby to learn about American customs.
So no, I don’t care if you take an interest in Korea and I’m not going to give you props. I am going to view you with some reservation because while you get to pick and choose what you want to learn and how much you want to absorb about Korean culture, my parents don’t. They do it to survive and to decrease the amount of ridicule and strange looks they get.
You can opt out any time and chalk up your experiences as experiments. My parents don’t get that luxury. They got to deal with that disadvantage and sit through the embarrassment/shame when Americans get impatient with them.
I remember one time I was talking to a RA who said to me, “Isn’t it weird how in other countries, people are always so impressed when you speak even just one or two words? But here in the US, we make fun of people’s English all the time?”
Also, if anyone decides to use the “but your parents decided to come to the US and they have to deal with results of their choices” then keep moving along on your path because you just don’t get it.
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