Let me state a common fact! .....
We have all been kids at one stage! Not the most awe inspiring fact but relevant none the less.
And for many of 'us' (myself included) the 'kid phase' is taking longer than expected to escape from our systems. I'm sure 'we' are all professionals in our own right and possibly buying and renting property, trying to place our own little stamp on this world of ours. I'm sure some of 'us' even have crossed a metaphorical venn diagram whereby 'our' own children share the commonality of the 'kid phase' with us.
I'm not, in any way begrudging this beautiful little lapse in maturation. In fact, I think it is a necessity in the survival of particular situations. It even helps 'us' understand certain goings on such as the phenomenon of the 'trend'.
We have all witnsessed a 'trend' as a child. We have all begged and pleaded to be involved in anything that seemed like it was a 'trend'. It transcends all boundaries of race, nation and time. The 'trend' is even cyclical to a certain extent.
There is no time greater to notice these trends than at Christmas time, but its not these giant well marketed toys that I'm talking about here. It is the small but definite trend of the 'gadget', electronic or otherwise that emerges, not from advertisement but from availability.
Teaching in a classroom in Korea, these trends are evident to the most ignorant eye. Although it must be said that many of these privately educated children have psps, dslites, portable electronic godknowswhats and super applicated cellphones, it is not these devices that caught my attention and aided my nostalgia.
Korean children seem to be taken over by tiny little packets of ...... origami paper. 7 and 8 year olds will sit there and whip up a perfectly created paper crane, colorful flowers and ribbons made from these square sheets of paper. The paper is specially designated for origami folding. When one of my students attempted to teach me how to make one of these cranes, it emerged that in fact...my hands were too big (well thats my excuse and I'm sticking to it). It's a talent that I endeavour to perfect. For what reason, I'm not really sure, its not exactly CV material but it seems so innocent and actually fulfilling to a certain extent. Another innocent but definitely cyclical trend that is disturbing the classroom is the top trump. Although its not sports cars and football players gracing the cards, pokemon do warrant being 'trumped' and i never knew there were so many.
Whether its little pieces of coloured paper, a variety of stationary accessories, pokemon toptrumps, slingshots, stickers, tamagochies, pink feather topped pens or balls of green slime, available and affordable trends will always emerge in our classrooms. In a world where technology has in fact gone a little bonkers, its refreshing and almost reassuring to see little squares of paper make such an impact.
Friday 18 December 2009
Monday 7 December 2009
Beware...the power of the ajumma
Its not often that a day would pass in the life of a citizen of this fair country, whether Korean or foreign, that one would evade the wrath of the 'ajumma'. A being so powerful, that it will leave dispair and wonderment in its wake.
To the mere persecuted common creatures of society such as myself, the 'ajumma' and the power that follows her is an entity that warrants awe and envy and in this instance; an attempt at an explanation and description of their existence. I find that to delve into an exploraion of this social phenomenon may spark off a certain debate as to the commonly overtly discussed sociological issues in modern Korean society. I'll try to do so without too much disdane to society or boring opinions :)
1) What is an 'ajumma'?
The word 'ajumma' is often used to address a woman of marritable age and she would more than often work in or run a business. There is a stereotypical aestheitc image of an 'ajumma' which is a woman of short, stocky build who wears trousers in outrageous plum colours and has tightly permed hair. I'm not too sure where this stereotype emerged from and I can't find any reference to its origin but I assure you, stereotypes are there for a reason....... and the fact is that such a stereotype fits in with the commonplace judgement of people by their appearance.....
....... it even may be a case of the chicken and the egg here.
The term ajumma is shortened from the original 'ajumma pama' which identifies these individuals with their 'pama' or permed hair. It is, in all of its elements; a label. A label which omits negative conotations to most people. The fact sadly is, that 'ajummas' are busy hard working women, women that care not for themselves but for their families.
2) When can I call someone 'ajumma'?
The word conjurs up confusion and bewilderment in the face of foreigners in Korea. When do you call somebody 'ajumma'? and 'When do we encounter a situation where we deem it ok to address someone as 'ajumma'? We find ourselves working on our concept of age and the traditional binary of old and young. If an ajumma is simply a woman of marriage age and 'older' than you, then wouldn't it be ok to use it many circumstances? Its the pre-determined linguistic baggage associated with the word that causes us to pause and more than often not use the word.
It is also used to call women when in a restaurant, but it is better to be sure of their 'ajumma' status beforehand as you may cause offence...... of course.
3) Why such negative connotations?
It is probably fact that the permed hair and stocky nature of the 'ajumma' have not resulted in her being the bum of many jokes in Korea. Nor is it the fact that they run and work in businesses. It is more than likely their persistent elbows. Their elbows of stainless steel. They will not think twice before knocking you out to take what was presumed to be your seat on the subway. They may stare at you with eyes of a similar steel to persuade you to give up your already coveted seat. And believe me, they are a 'they', an entity of their own. By themselves they may be frightening and powerful but as a group........ ....... ........
4) Can I keep one?
Altough the stereotype of the ajumma is on a large basis outdated, their existence is futile in the functioning of Seoul. I would like to have my own ajumma, as for all of their previously mentioned bullish features, they are a wonder. They will help you and always remember you. The ajumma is an ultimate cog in society and should be admired and respected as such. But, keep those elbows to yourself.
To the mere persecuted common creatures of society such as myself, the 'ajumma' and the power that follows her is an entity that warrants awe and envy and in this instance; an attempt at an explanation and description of their existence. I find that to delve into an exploraion of this social phenomenon may spark off a certain debate as to the commonly overtly discussed sociological issues in modern Korean society. I'll try to do so without too much disdane to society or boring opinions :)
1) What is an 'ajumma'?
The word 'ajumma' is often used to address a woman of marritable age and she would more than often work in or run a business. There is a stereotypical aestheitc image of an 'ajumma' which is a woman of short, stocky build who wears trousers in outrageous plum colours and has tightly permed hair. I'm not too sure where this stereotype emerged from and I can't find any reference to its origin but I assure you, stereotypes are there for a reason....... and the fact is that such a stereotype fits in with the commonplace judgement of people by their appearance.....
....... it even may be a case of the chicken and the egg here.
The term ajumma is shortened from the original 'ajumma pama' which identifies these individuals with their 'pama' or permed hair. It is, in all of its elements; a label. A label which omits negative conotations to most people. The fact sadly is, that 'ajummas' are busy hard working women, women that care not for themselves but for their families.
2) When can I call someone 'ajumma'?
The word conjurs up confusion and bewilderment in the face of foreigners in Korea. When do you call somebody 'ajumma'? and 'When do we encounter a situation where we deem it ok to address someone as 'ajumma'? We find ourselves working on our concept of age and the traditional binary of old and young. If an ajumma is simply a woman of marriage age and 'older' than you, then wouldn't it be ok to use it many circumstances? Its the pre-determined linguistic baggage associated with the word that causes us to pause and more than often not use the word.
It is also used to call women when in a restaurant, but it is better to be sure of their 'ajumma' status beforehand as you may cause offence...... of course.
3) Why such negative connotations?
It is probably fact that the permed hair and stocky nature of the 'ajumma' have not resulted in her being the bum of many jokes in Korea. Nor is it the fact that they run and work in businesses. It is more than likely their persistent elbows. Their elbows of stainless steel. They will not think twice before knocking you out to take what was presumed to be your seat on the subway. They may stare at you with eyes of a similar steel to persuade you to give up your already coveted seat. And believe me, they are a 'they', an entity of their own. By themselves they may be frightening and powerful but as a group........ ....... ........
4) Can I keep one?
Altough the stereotype of the ajumma is on a large basis outdated, their existence is futile in the functioning of Seoul. I would like to have my own ajumma, as for all of their previously mentioned bullish features, they are a wonder. They will help you and always remember you. The ajumma is an ultimate cog in society and should be admired and respected as such. But, keep those elbows to yourself.
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