N.B. – Allow me to share with you Joy’s essay on her impression of South Korea, the second article she has written so far. She will be returning to the Philippines on March 22.

What We Can Learn from Koreans

By Judith L. Balean-Arao
March 19, 2009

When I stepped out of Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight PR 466 (Manila-Incheon), I was full of hope and excitement – hope in the sense that I can see all the beautiful places in South Korea that enchant curious explorers; and excitement because I hoped to experience the weather I only knew about when I searched the Net before coming here. Kidding aside, this new phase in our life will truly be a defining moment in our career and especially in our married life.

It was a long walk towards the train inside the airport that brought us to the arrival area. At the immigration section, I was asked why I was given 30-month length of stay in Korea. I just shrugged my shoulder and told him that I do not intend to stay that long since I wish to be back on March 22, 2009. He talked to his colleague and without asking for my return ticket, he just corrected the entry from “30 months” to “30 days.”

It is ironic to think that we had a more difficult time at PAL’s check-in counter. When we were just about to get our boarding pass at the Centennial Terminal in Manila, we were held for more than an hour because we cannot produce Danny’s return ticket as requested by a lady staff of PAL. We explained that based on his one-year contract and as stated in the Hannam University (HNU) handbook, he cannot determine the time of his vacation leave or departure unless he is cleared by the university. Danny also presented to her all the travel documents, but still the lady insisted that we buy his return ticket right then and there because it is PAL’s policy. She told us that this was her first time to encounter a Filipino who will work abroad without a return ticket. Danny explained that a lot of professors from the University of the Philippines (UP) who were invited to teach to other countries like South Korea were not required to have return tickets. He would have been advised by UP to get a round-trip ticket if this were the case. The lady was really insistent and finally called her supervisor. After waiting and more explaining, we got our boarding passes 20 minutes before our flight. To be fair to this female staff, she pre-assigned seats to us so that we would not miss our flight.

There are three things I learned upon getting out of Incheon Airport: If ever one has to tour around Korea, (1) one should learn the basic Hangeul (Korean language); (2) get an interpreter; and (3) be prepared for your outfit due to the unpredictable weather.

When we were brought to our new home at HNU Global House (I want to call it “G Hauz”), I instantly liked Korea and had seriously thought about migrating. The longer I stay here, my love for Korea is reinforced by the following virtues and systems:

1. Respect and courtesy. Majority of the students would greet “Annyongha seyo” (How are you?) and bow or nod. Students of Linton Global College (LGC) of HNU where Danny is a visiting professor always say “Good day.” Only a few HNU students who are westernized would pass you by. But most of them would give you more space to walk on or would stay at the farthest side of the walkway. Koreans as a whole are courteous, based on our experience with the HNU staff, taxi drivers, sales persons, cashiers, and people of all ages we met everywhere. These people would say something in Hangeul, smile and then bow. They would even try to help us out through sign language and calculators (for asking prices). Whenever we are in the department store we frequently visit, we observed this lady who would bow to every shopper who passes her way. Imagine that as your assignment the whole day or shift. I wonder how much she is being paid.
2. Honesty and responsibility. HNU staff make it their responsibility to keep us safe. They provided us, for example, with taxi cards of destinations written in Hangeul. Danny and I always take a cab whenever we go to places and we show this card to the driver. (There are also female taxi drivers in their senior years who look like socialites.) Taxi drivers, decently dressed and non-English speaking, never refuse passengers and bring them fast to the destination without side trips or getting a tip. Tipping is not the way of life in Korea, they say. They do their tasks responsibly, efficiently and as fast as they could.Another indication of honesty is that wallets dropped somewhere will be returned to the owner.In Daejeon Immigration Office, after waiting for about one-and-a-half hours, it only took five minutes to apply for Danny’s alien registration card. We were behind 130 clients when we arrived last March 6. There are only three personnel serving on shifts because it was lunch time already.

   Danny also shared with me his “VIP experience” when he encashed his first paycheck at Nong Hyup (NH) Bank (at the lobby, he also said that agriculture products are also displayed and sold). Irene, the LGC staff who assisted him, quipped that he should be a special person because he was led to the second floor which serves as a VIP section. The lounge was cozy and has drinks and reading materials. But before you can have your first sip of coffee or tea, you will probably be done with your bank transaction. That is how fast Koreans work. Of course, they will let you finish your drink.
    

3. Punctuality. Koreans come on time at work, in a meeting or even in a classroom. HNU-LGC does not have bundy clocks or any system to remind workers of the time. They just simply report for work and do the assigned tasks. And they also work overtime for extra load given to them.
    
4. Thrift and environment-friendly. When you shop in Korea, see to it that you have your own shopping bag or else you will be charged for the plastic bag or bags. To be fair, department stores provide boxes, packing tapes and ribbons for you to pack your own purchases. Department stores in the Philippines, as you may already know, have baggers assisting the cashier with your purchases.Koreans have the latest models of cars and they are also known for manufacturing them. Korean-made cars are everywhere but Koreans prefer to use public transportation, which probably explains the wide parking areas in train stations. This allows less car emission of deadly gas. Besides cheap train and bus fares, there is a reloadable transportation card (Hankkuni or T-Money cards) that is discounted compared to paying in cash. A bus stops at designated areas only, prompting you to walk towards a destination which could be healthy for you.Washing machines (or at least the one we have right now) have no dryers or spinners since it emits a lot of carbon gas that causes the thinning of the ozone layer.

   Floor heaters (ondol in old Korean time), now digitally-operated hot water pipes, are cheaper than electric heaters.

   I have not seen a security guard on campus, in establishments, banks, train stations and other places we had visited so far. What they have are CCTVs and key cards in entering the building or apartment. When entering an apartment unit, an electronic security code is required. Everything here is digitally secured including cell phones. Instead of a SIM card, it has the owner’s resident number for his or her exclusive use.

5. Urbanization. If the Philippines has sari-sari stores, Korea has mini-stores that accept credit cards like GS 25, Lowson’s, 7-11, Family Mart and Buy the Way. Some of their branches also have ATMs.All establishments have colorful neon lights in their billboards. CCTVs are everywhere.Buses have separate doors for entrance and exit. Bus stops have monitors where estimated arrival time of incoming buses is shown up to the last minute.

   Hankkuni or T-Money cards will be deducted with 950 Korean Won when swiped over a gadget near the driver or a passenger may pay 1,000 Korean Won in cash, regardless of distance. By using the card, the next bus ride is free when taken within an hour. It may be used in boarding the train and in riding some taxis, but it is not honored in the bullet train or KTX. The card is also used for paying parking fees, toll fees, and tours to cultural facilities. The best feature is that one can load up to 90,000 Korean Won to the card.

6. Shopping. Anyone who loves shopping may come to Daejeon. You can walk to any mini-mart or small and big department stores here. You may check the weekly sale. From my observation, there is no similar item on sale the following week.For budget conscious shoppers, you may try Daejeon’s “underground economy.” It is a three-level, below-the ground arcade connected to the Subway Train Station. It is the bigger version of Quiapo’s tiangge (business stalls) which seems to be as big as SM Mega Mall. This is truly haven for under-budget fashionistas and metrosexuals that showcases the latest fashion. There are parks with fountain for shoppers to rest from shopping marathon, food courts/restaurants to feed empty stomachs, and ATMs to refill empty wallets. Prices can be bargained, too.There are malls, mini-marts and wet markets on the ground (along the main street). There is a part that is similar to Baguio City Market where fresh strawberries, broccoli, carrots, cabbage, and other vegetables can be found. Fresh and frozen fish, pork, chicken meat, and seafood are sold at very low prices. There is also Dangwa-like place here selling different kinds and colors of flowers that can be arranged and decorated with bears, balloons and dolls. Ipods, TVs, and cellphones are sold at half price compared to the Philippine price. I’ve noticed that PCs and laptops are more expensive because they are newer models.
    
7. Beliefs. There are a lot of temples and churches in the vicinity. We found a Catholic church at Dae Hwadong with English mass with the help of Danny’s HNU colleagues. When we arrived we were welcomed by Father Joseph Kang, the celebrant, and parishioners who are mostly Filipinos. The celebration of the Holy Mass was concluded by a feast offered by the parish, and a medical check-up, too. Outside the church are mini-tiangge selling Filipino products.We dined with other UP professors and an alumna at a fish grill near Hanbat stadium. They gave us tip that a black statue (we forgot its name) when kissed on the nose will increase the chances of getting pregnant. This can be found in local villages. Two couples can give proof to this, according to UP alumna Jean Lucban. I wish Danny and I can give a positive testimonial to this in the future!

When we arrived in South Korea more than a week ago, the trees appeared to be dying as they were dry, leafless and only had twigs and branches. But now these trees (magnolia and cherry blossom) are starting to bloom. In addition, birds like magpies and pigeons do not mind people walking behind them.

This country is so clean though one can see a few cigarette butts and disposable items on the street. Neatly bagged garbage in corners of the streets seen late in afternoon are gathered very early the next morning.

Perhaps these are the reasons some OFWs in Korea are wont to file for citizenship and withstand the cold weather than being in our homeland. How I wish that our leaders would have political will to make a better home and workplace for every Filipino just like what the Koreans did to their country.

Editor’s note: Feel free to read Joy’s first article on her South Korean experience.