When you first come to Korea, the first thing you will realize is that Koreans don't speak English. They study for many years but they never really learn anything( Public School at it's best). So instead, the learn to speak Korean English. "Well, isn't Korean English called Konglish?" HAHAHA no...Konglish is like the word "Computer". In Korea, it's is simply said with a Korean accent.
No , Korean English is like the incorrect and over use of the words such as"It's Okay." or "Is it okay?" It takes a few months of being in the country to learn to understand and interact with it naturally.
So of course, when I saw a pair of very lost tourist interacting with Koreans on the Subway, the southern-help-everyone-girl in me kicked in. And thus began my journey on last Saturday.
Coming back from Christimas Play rehersal in Noksapyeong , I enter the subway with a pair of french men on my right. They have the subway map you get at the tourist center and 3 huge suitcases and a korean trying to help them using Korean English.
Since being in Korea, I download a subway app to my phone. Honestly, I don't really need it anymore but for situations like this it comes in handy. So, I approach them and offer to use my phone to help them. As I try to explain how to make their TWO connections, it occurs to me that it's about 30 minutes away and I can just take them to their destination. The only thing I had to do was go take pictures in Naedaemun before dark.
So, I dutifully begin my escort. After all "What would Jesus Do?" As we make the first connection, they older french man ( 40's) keeps saying "thank you" . I'm american, french accents are very hard to understand. So when the other younger french man(20's) begins to talk to me at the same time..I started getting lost.
Anyway, let me go back. The younger french men is dressed in a black tank, saggy pants, a gold chain , and bright red undies. Yes.... it was funny every time he lost control of the luggage. Again, I ignore this for two reasons. 1. Though his appearance is a bit off putting it's nothing I haven't seen before and 2. WWJD
Let's continue, so being the American woman I am I offer to take one luggage. I grab it and they are like "woah..no it's too heavy" but I take it anyway and begin walking down the stairs the older man hurries to catch the other end. It was quite hilarious because the bag was fine. I think I was a bit to American for him.
Well we make our first connection, and on the younger man felt the need to thank me by giving me a travel size container of perfume( Christian Dior according to the label). I thank him and say it's not necessary but he insist that I take it. I accept the gift even though it's a bit weird for me. ( again, WWJD). Anyway, we get to talking about Koreans and why they didn't take a taxi. Apparently, they really couldn't communicate with the Koreans and were very frustrated. A friend of theirs told them to get on the subway. They had the hand written directions just not the subway riding know how.
So, it's time for the next connection to line 1. This line is the worse line to take any day of the week because it is always packed like a can of sardines. I do my best to explain to them that no matter which train we take it will always be like this. So, they decided to get on the one that was coming. We were the last ones on, so guess who the doors caught. No... not me, hahaha the younger man got smashed by the door but it's ok old women get smashed by them daily. It's quite normal.
So finally we get off and I suggest taking the elevator. Now, all korean subways especially the more traveled lines have a smell. I've been here so long , I don't notice it anymore. But the French men notice it, and so they apologize for the smell because it is unsuitable for a lady. Then proceed to spray perfume in the elevator. Of course, other people are on the elevator it's Korea nothing goes anywhere with out the maximum number of people on or in it. So the other koreans, are looking dumbstruck by this. All I can do at this point try not to laugh.
On the korean subway, you use something called a T-money card. You are suppose to it swipe to get on and off the subway. So, I had to swiped mine when I got on the subway thus my trip was already paid for. Not knowing this, the older French man tries to stop me from swiping it on our way out and offers to pay for my trip. I politely explain the system to them and then so them the machines that they should use the next time they want to get on.
So we exit the subway at their destination, I escort them to the place to purchase trains to leave Seoul because their friend doesn't stay in Seoul. They call him so he can translate for them.
At this point I really must get back on the subway because I'm too far from my destination. As I try to leave, the older man shakes my hands thanks me and kiss my cheek. I'm American. I mentally freaked out. The old guy was in my person bubble and I don't know him. However, being in korea long enough and realizing that this may be a cultural difference. Also, the motto of this trip is WWJD. I remain calm but try to leave again. At this point he tries to feed me at a cafe. I politely decline because I really must head toward Naedaemun. So he takes me to the subway gates and thanks me the whole time. Then proceeds to shake me hand and kiss my check again. The American in me wants to karate chop him but something(I'm assuming it was Jesus) tells me not to but to get on the subway.
I get on the subway and I message my friend who is from Europe and she tells me that the kiss on check means thank you. It's just french culture and I shouldn't freak out.
I continue my trip to Naedaemun. I have some street food and head to myeongdeong. In myeongdeong, I pass another pair of lost tourist. Do I stop? Well...no. WWJD motto was worn out that day. It was myeongdeong it's crowded and tourist helpers everywhere, I figured they'd find one. They wear bright red vests. So I kept walking and hope they weren't colorblind.
Maybe , I'll be of more help next weekend. Who knows?
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