My boyfriend Kevin and I also sought out for the 12 months and, through that time, we fought until we got tired of it. We fought in regards to the stupid things all couples battle about, however the primary thing that arrived between us had been a thing that other partners probably don’t suffer from. We constantly argued about whether I happened to be too Americanized.

Kevin and I also both stumbled on the U.S from Korea five years ago. We had different points of view on everything although we had this in common. He’d ask me why i possibly couldn’t end up like other Korean girls. If We were a “real” Korean woman, I would personally tune in to him when he told me personally to make a move, rely on him for many things, and think their method rather than my means. Once I didn’t agree with him, we might have another battle. For me, he had been too Korean and too narrow minded. He declined to just accept any culture except his or her own, and then he always thought their means ended up being the way that is only.

I consume Korean meals, I speak Korean, I have respect for my moms and dads as Koreans have, I celebrate Korean holiday breaks and old-fashioned times. We also joined up with the Korean Club at school, in order for I’m able to keep my customs with my friends.

But I have come to love certain customs from other cultures since I came to this country. For instance, we start to see the method my Hispanic buddies welcome people who have love. They kiss and hug if they state “hello,” and I love this. (In Korea, individuals are significantly more formal; they just shake fingers and bow to one another away from respect.) Therefore I began kissing my buddies from the cheek too.

Kevin didn’t similar to this, and I was told by him therefore. He also asked me personally to cease it. I did son’t desire to, it anyway but not as much so I did. In the future, I was told by him not to ever kiss and hug other individuals. I inquired him why, in which he told me which he didn’t enjoy it and that other Koreans didn’t act the way in which i did so. He couldn’t accept it.

Korean men prefer to tell their spouses and girlfriends what direction to go. Kevin would constantly let me know how exactly to dress and exactly how to behave right in front of other people. I was wanted by him to remain close to him on a regular basis. I might grumble that I became not their small model and therefore he couldn’t simply order me personally around.

You therefore Americanized? once I would opposed to their wishes, Kevin would state, “Why are” we didn’t learn how to answer that. He stated i need to be ashamed of my nation and my culture to behave the means we did. I happened to be shocked, and it hurt me personally defectively. I happened to be maybe not ashamed of my nation or tradition. I’m happy with being truly a Korean. I simply would you like to accept other countries, too.

We can’t reject that We often behave like A united states, wanting to become more separate and outgoing than many other girls that are korean. But we still act like a Korean, too. I would like to opt for the movement, and therefore doesn’t imply that We don’t like my personal tradition. I will be attempting to balance two countries. Through my boyfriend, i obtained the possibility to take into account whom i truly have always been. We recognized that I am a Korean and A us, too.

Sue had been 17 when she had written this tale.

Trade Activities

CS Korea regularly supports U.S. exporters visiting or displaying in the numerous trade occasions in Korea. Most notable programs are concentrated in Seoul.