Candice in Korea
 
Throughout my time here I've tried to respect the Korean culture, and dressing accordingly is important! Today I decided to wear a sleeveless top with a light cardigan. Of course I would have to keep the cardigan on because revealing my shoulders would be quite inappropriate, especially at school. 
The walk to school built up quite a sweat, and as soon as I entered the staff room, seeing as no one was there, I took off my jersey. Then, in walked one of the ladies and handed me a cup of hot coffee, smiled and said "ooh" while gesturing to my shoulders that were now exposed. Next was the principle, she looked at me with a smile, giggled and then said "tteugeoun" meaning hot. I just laughed and said "oh yes, very hot" and fanned my face with my hand. They then brought the fan and placed it right next to my desk to keep me cool. I put my cardigan back on and all was right in the world again. Haha

The dress code for Korean women is puzzling. You can show as much leg as you want, if your cheeks are hanging out that's no problem, but don't dare show your shoulders or reveal a little chest. Now I've been sticking to these guidelines, but summer has settled in and I just can't anymore. It is so humid that the minute I step outside, my straightened hair looks like it was attacked by the back of a hairdryer. I can't bare to wear anymore layers than necessary! I've decided to play the 'foreigner' card and hope to be excuse for dressing indecently.

The best I can do now is is simply smile and bow deeply when ajummas and adjossis give me death stares for showing a bit of shoulder.
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