#148. In Korea some barber poles are a little bit more special than the others. Yes, I am referring to the twirly red and blue pole that is notorious for letting the people know that it is a place that cuts hair or provides the male passerby with a proper shave. Or is it? In Korea, legend has it that a double barber pole indicates that the shop also has a massage parlor that provides "extra service." Wink wink. Nudge nudge.
#149. Reading Korean is MUCH easier than it looks. There are only 24 letters (two fewer than the English alphabet) and is easy to pick up. If you are itching to be able to read like yours truly, check out www.learnlangs.com to get a speedy Korean education. It is thanks to that little website that I now understand (for the most part) when my students are writing curse words on their desks, how to order food in restaurants and how to write words like "Indiana" to wow the family back at home.
#150. Red ink is extremely unlucky. You are not supposed to use it to write a living person's name, since red is associated with death. Red ink is used to record a deceased person's name in the fmaily register and on banners to ward off evil spirits. Got it. Red is evil.
#151. Korean women retain their maiden surname after they get married. It is custom for the wife to not take her new husbands name since family surnames are reserved for only the people with blood ties. Husbands and wives with different surnames. Children with varying surnames from their parents. Confusing as hell.
#152. Koreans (men and women) love their phone charms. A phone charm (and yes I have my own as well) is an yet another excuse to search or make something that is bedazzled. Hello Kitty. Sparkles. Hello Kitty with sparkles. The sky is the limit.
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