Monday, April 23, 2007

Question

So, when is it that Koreans stop wearing jackets and sweaters? By the time it reaches 21 degrees outside? no. that's not right. Cause today we were wearing capris/shorts, t-shirts, and sandals and we saw a whole lotta jackets and sweaters. Then again, when it was 16 degrees last week, the teachers in our school still had the gas heaters blaring heat - we were melting in our corner.
I wonder what will make them wear lighter clothes. If this weather doesn't, then they must be waiting for 'hotter' weather - which scares me! I'm not great with HOT weather - like the few 40 degree days we had in Vernon last summer. At least we had our choice of lakes to cool off in. I have a feeling we're going to be melting...
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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'd have to say that many Asians have a strange perception and reaction to temperature. In Japan, they turned off the heat in the classrooms March 1, even if there was still a skiff of snow on the ground. At least the teacher's got to keep their heater in the teacher's room a bit longer - until April 1. After that, it was a bunch of adults gripping hot tea cups during breaks so that their fingers were able to grasp a piece of chalk to write on the board in class! I think it had something to do with their underlying cultural identity that "the Japanese race is the strongest and most disciplined race of all, able to withstand adversity and hardship with grace and ease." Unfortunately, no one outside of Japan really observes this, so they are "proving" themselves to no one but themselves. Admittedly, in the schools and other public/government offices, the lack of money one of the reasons keeping the indoor heat around 10 to 15 degrees C, but pride is a factor.

Unfortunately, and to the great dismay of the older generation, the younger population is losing this sense of pride which seems to be how Japanese people identify themselves. The old and young are struggling to maintain versus find their identity. Sad to watch sometimes...

Sorry for the commentary on Japanese people on a blog about life in Korea!

10:51 a.m.
Anonymous said...

Boy what I wouldn't do to have 21 degree temp. We have 10 but still dipping in the minuses at night and a wind chill in the day. Oh to live in Thunder Bay. Anne-marie

7:23 p.m.

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