Seoul - Take 2

Someone told me the other day that the younger generation of Koreans do not like the big-bro attitude of Uncle Sam (join the band!). The joke on the street is that the Korean President calls up the White House from his Blue House the moment he is elected, even before addressing his nation!

Well, so much for US presence in this country. The influence can be sensed if you visit the Northern parts of Seoul, particularly the areas aroung Itaewon across the Hangnam river, where there is a US army base, and where the prime red light district of Seoul is located. You can spot bands of soldiers (of course in casuals and off duty) drunk and partying in the streets into the wee hours of the morning. Also, you can sense the influence in every aspect of Seoul's life - roads, malls, bridges, amusement parks, gas stations, offices, cars .. you name it! Everything's like it is in the US. One is forced to wonder where are the shy, demure girls and self-respecting men proud of their culture gone?!

There's an OK-Mart for every K-Mart. There's McD's, KFCs and Pizza Huts all over the place. Why, there's even Bennigan's and Outback Steakhouse around the corner from my hotel! Now, that's something!! :) Yet, it is surprising how adamantly these people have refused to learn the English language. I haven't come across one Korean who has not been educated in the US but speaks fluent English. I wonder how they do commerce with the rest of the world without knowing their language! Maybe the way the Japanese do (I haven't understood them either). It's a mighty exercise, albeit funny, hailing a cab and showing the driver a printout of Korean script instructing him to take me to my hotel or to my office or to the nearby bus station! From Anyon-Haseyo to Komap-Sumnida (Hello and Thank you, apparently), it is interesting at times and highly irritating at times to hear the droning of a tongue you're not accustomed to. In the taxi for example, the FM incessantly keeps chattering off in the background, and I'm unable to communicate to the cabbie that he should switch it off! Pity!