Monday, November 19, 2012

Bally Bally? No thanks!

   빨리 빨리  "Bally bally!"  (short "a" as in "ah") means "Hurry! Hurry!" in Korea(n), and I've read, and heard, here and there, Korean culture described as a "bally bally culture" suggesting that so many people are so often in a hurry here.

     That's not too hard for me to believe, but I know, also, that many Koreans are NOT always in a hurry.  So, as I implied, only "so many" people here are "so often" in a hurry.

     I've come to believe, though, many people here are in a hurry, not because they want to get somewhere early, but because they have waited until the last minute to get the journey started.  Also, many have crammed a "lot to do" in one day -- wake up, go hiking, meet friend for breakfast, go to work, go to lunch, go... go... go...."

    Whatever!

     I'm not a 빨리 빨리 person.  I like to wake up early and take my time getting started into my day.  I like to slowly smell my coffee, eat my breakfast and surf the internet for a couple hours before I head for the gym.  At the gym, I like to take my time and enjoy each and every exercise.  After my workout, I like to take my time and enjoy my shave and shower time.  Usually, I get back home in time to relax and slowly enjoy lunch before I enjoy a leisurely walk to work.  Usually, I plan my doctor appointment days so that I can enjoy some time sipping coffee, shopping around, or just walking around before and after my appointment time.  I plan around my bank days, my shopping days, and the days when I travel a bit.  I like to arrive at the airport early.  

     You get the idea!

     I enjoy my life in Korea, but to the 빨리 빨리 aspect of it all, I'll always happily say, "No thanks!"

No comments:

Post a Comment