Bundled Up.

Judy with more observations. It's cold in Korea. At least it's cold in the winter. And Koreans care about whether they are chilled or too warm... it's a common theme in Kdramas. Koreans are also careful about their appearance.

Therefore I do not understand why Koreans keep their heavy outerwear on when eating meals. If I were to wear my down jacket while weilding chopsticks and slurping noodles I would probably splash my meal down the front of my clothing. (In fact I would potentially do that without my heavy coat on.) Yet I cannot tell you how often Koreans leave their outerwear on while eating. Now, this makes perfect sense if you're slope side at a ski resort, or in one of the pop-up red tents on the side of the road, but in a regular indoor restaurant? Kdramas feature heavy coats, hoodies layered underneath, ski caps, and scarves swathed around their neck.... Yet they're happily eating away, reaching for food across the table, & enjoying soju. Don't they drag their coat sleeves across the tteokboki? Don't they get the greasy fried chicken on the collar? Do they ever make a mess?

from Angoo.Korea@Instagram. I hope they'll be happy I used their photos in our blog but it perfectly exemplifies my point. See any dribbles on their clothes? Nope...

Hmmm…maybe they keep their jackets on inside because it’s COLD INSIDE AS WELL. Not many countries overheat their homes like we do. In fact, I wear my jacket inside in the winter in my house because it’s freezing! This is not in the literal sense. I’m not chipping ice out of the water pitcher. It’s due to the way the heating and air conditioning is set up. It’s gas forced air, and the vents are set high in the cathedral ceiling. This means I’m comfortable in the summer and uncomfortable in the winter.

Another difference to think about is the seating in Korean restaurants. There are stools galore but not many straight backed chairs. Where is the patron supposed to put a jacket? On the floor?

Don’t forget you’re still in your infancy handling those metal instruments of complete frustration Koreans call chopsticks. (They are so difficult to use, aren’t they? Give me a nice pair of bamboo ones and bring on the food!) I’m sure your sloppiness is due partly to your dexterity in trying to get the food to your mouth. When you get your certificate of neat eating you can keep your jacket on! ~ Pat