a bit of culture and korean baseball

I would like to start this post by talking a bit about Korean culture. First of all, Americans are complete slobs compared to Koreans and I think we can learn a thing or two from them. In Korea looking good is extremely important. This means no sweat pants/pajama pants/ugg boots/ill-fitting clothes/wrinkled I-picked-this-off-my-floor-and-wore-it clothes/etc. However, I have seen a few Koreans in crocs. Man capris are very popular here as are pants that fit. A lot of American men seem to have a problem with this, but Korean men, and even most European men, dress 1000x better than American men. Koreans, both men and women, love shopping (although women more) and everywhere you travel there will be an opportunity to buy some material item. Korean women strive to look very feminine and wear a lot of skirts, dresses, and heels, but they also value an androgynous figure. They want to look as waif-like as possible. Along with their honesty comes a certain bluntness; they are not afraid to tell you if you look fat, are not wearing enough makeup, or a certain color looks bad on you. This happens not only between girls, but also between sexes. They will not do this to strangers, but they also do not worry about offending their friends.

Katka, an exchange student from the Czech Republic who lives on my floor, told me a funny story about a Korean couple who had been dating 3 months. They (meaning her and her friends) had invited the couple to go to a water park with them. The Korean girl refused to go. From what I understand, the conversation went something like this:
Katka: why don't you want to go?
Korean Girl: because then I will have to wear a bikini!
Katka: why can't you wear a one piece?
KG: because they are unfashionable! I would have to wear a bikini
Katka: it will be fine, don't worry. your boyfriend will be there with you
KG: but then he will see me in a bikini!!

So yes, despite Korea being one of the least obese countries in the world, Korean girls are extremely critical of their bodies. Korean men are the same way, but to a lesser extent. I have had a few stick-thin Korean men tell me they are on a diet. To me, I can't help but think what do you mean you're on a diet?? you're 5'8" and 120 lbs!

But anyway, baseball.

Baseball is a very popular sport in Korea, but soccer is starting to eclipse it in popularity. The Steves and I went to a baseball game near the Omokgyo station last Saturday. The field was much smaller than professional fields in the US, but the rules of the game were the same except for a few small differences. The entertainment, however, was much more similar to a college game than professional. There were cheerleaders for each team including 4 girls and 1 guy. The guy had a whistle and lead the crowd in the chants. It was very exciting. The stadium served hot dogs, instant ramen noodles, candy, and beer.