Lately, there's been this pattern of taxi drivers and other service people with whom I come in contact saying some variation of "Wow – you're totally a Korean now!" in a half-joking way, but yet given as a compliment when I do something unexpected for a foreigner to do.
What's more, I've come to agree with them, although I still believe I am as American as they come, especially since living the expat life as one; surely, in some ways, I've become much more American, to the extent that I've been Koreanized at all. Life is full of contradictions.
The things on this list are all true for me, and I've been noticing them lately, when American friends come visit me. For me, it's not so much what I do, but what I don't anymore, that sometimes surprises me.
What makes this exercise fun is that they are all true, and all mark big changes in thinking and/or habits since I was a "pure" American.
10. You now see toilet paper as a long napkin.
9. You have an urge to take pictures of your food.
8. You crave squid.
7. You find next-day service for repairs unacceptable. "Why can't you do it today?!"
6. You feel bad about eating while walking.
5. You leave valuable objects such as laptops or cameras on tables and go to the bathroom, assuming no one will take them.
4. You can fall asleep within 30 seconds of entering any moving vehicle.
3. You change/remove all of your clothes as soon as you come home.
2. Going to the Long John Silver's at home and instead eating the crab legs, you suck the meat out of the still-attached side of the crab, to everyone's utter horror. (Michigan, 2001)
1. You find a bug in your pizza, but just remove the offending piece and finish eating the pizza. (Pusan, 1994.)
You guys got any? Just have them be personal and real, and they'll be all the funnier.
