I think what's been on my mind all day long is something a fellow teacher has said to me nearly a dozen times spread out over our last 3 dates:

"You might think our customs are offensive, but you must understand, they are what we have, please understand".

Now, I really don't know why he says this all the time. I think it's pretty funny that he mentions it during 'no-rae-bang' hours, but why would I find karaoke offensive, especially when I participate with some Journey, Guns'n'Roses, and Santana... I mean, c'mon man, I obviously like to get down Korean style too.

And so last night he once again said such a phrase to me. I decided to be more bold and bypass my reassuring comments like, "I never would judge a people" or "I love Korean culture", and move straight to the "what specifically do you think is wrong with your culture? what do you think I don't understand?" He could not answer my questions, but it was obvious he thought many things were wrong. The situation is troublesome to me. I think there is more to this mindset than we can understand. Here is my theory to the "It's just Korean" attitude for cultural difference explanations:

I think that Koreans feel this need to impress Americans or explain their cultural differences. In their eyes, I believe that they see us individually as watch-dogs; our military presence as the same role extends to each 'mi-guk' that visits. When they get blackout drunk, friends feel it necessary to make excuses: "It's just Korean culture". But who would anyone be to judge someone for getting too drunk. Most of us have been there and NO ONE should view that as a cultural difference, but rather a personal choice/problem. Drinking culture is a whole new can of worms though.
Unfortunately, for the past 50 years my country has been a presence in South Korea. The consequences are simple really. South Korea has undergone Modernization quickly and through various states (dictatorship, martial law, democracy). It has flourished from a prepubescent war-torn country, to one of the largest economies and most desirable travel destinations in the world(though still at war with itself).

The fact is that other countries look up to us, whether they like it or not; we have been placed in centerstage and must suffer the cooing from around the globe. We are not the model country, however, and it is tragic that Koreans feel the need to justify their habits to us. It is awful that anyone should feel the need to defend their country's practices for ANY REASON.

What I perceive to be present in those comments is a need to make excuses in the presence of the big brother. If my overall notions are true to any extent, I am deeply saddened by the truth.