Korean

Hey this is my first post.  It's a poem we made in english that had to explain some rules about one of the social groups we're in.  We read the poem 'Girl' by Jamaica Kincaid and created our own poem.  I chose to write about being a Korean.  Take into account these aren't the rules that all koreans live by.  Lots of this poem is revealing the stereotypical rules of life as a Korean; many are accurate but by no means are all these rules prevalent to all koreans.  Some parts are simply a combination of the stereotypes of Koreans and are very false, but I felt it was necessary when talking about the rules Koreans live by.

by Michael Hong
Read the chapter before class; study the notes after class; don’t mix study with talking; be sure to get good grades; or be prepared to fail; spend your time reading; you must be at the top of your math class; make sure to excel at everything you do; don’t play games until 4 am; instead with that extra time play and instrument; it must be violin, cello, or the piano; say your prayers before eating; thank the mom after; love your family; love your parents; respect your elders; bow to them when they approach; doesn’t matter if you know them or not, bow;  

this is how you swing a golf club; this is how to hit a chip; this is how you putt the ball; this is how to bet on every hole and in order to do this; you must become a doctor or lawyer to make lots of money; money your parents moved to America for; do not become an artist or musician unless you want to bring dishonor to the family; this is how you try smoking; this is how to stand in a circle and talk; this is how to sing and drink at a karaoke room; you must attend church every Sunday and Friday; you mustn’t speak during the sermon and service; but remember to clap and sing during the opening praise; this is how you never turn your phone off; this is how parents pick up their phones during funerals and weddings; without even turning the volume down; make sure to take lots of pictures; stick up two fingers when taking pictures or put them sideways if you are not a fob; always eat rice at every meal; this is how to make kimchi; be sure to be able to eat spicy food; this is how to pick out good fruit; this is how to throw away sour kimchi; this is how to negotiate at the market; this is how to use wooden chopsticks with two hands; this is how to use metal chopsticks; this is how to use one hand and pick up rice; this is how to relax after a long day; you must have at least two of the three; facebook, xanga, or cyworld; you mustn’t forget about a webcam and oovoo;  what about those who like to watch television?; you must watch Korean dramas; no matter how obvious the plot is or repetitive, you must continue to watch and enjoy it; no matter how cliché; who am I?; follow these rules and guess you're Korean.

Another blog that discusses the diversity of our nation is linked here.  There are various posts dealing with subject matters of the family culture along with nationality differences.