Things I Want (But Really Don't) 11/22/19

From what I can tell, Korean society is still very hierarchical. Therefore, there are certain people you just do not say no to, especially doctors and ajummas. An ajumma is a lady of a certain age, maybe past age 50 or so, who takes on the role of matriarch. In the six months we've been here, both doctors and ajummas have told me that I need a lot of things that I actually don't. Not being the most assertive person, I've ended up with them anyway. Here is a list:

1. Prescriptions. Korean doctors love to give you medicine. I have seen the doctor several times for upper respiratory infections. Even when it turns out you don't have an infection, they still load you up with several different decongestants and allergy medicines. I've never left the doctor with fewer than four new prescriptions. Fortunately, they're quite cheap here, but unfortunately, they never ask what you're already taking or if you're allergic to anything. So I usually can only take about half of what they give me, if that. Also, if you do get a chance to say you can't take a particular medicine they will happily substitute another rather than not give you anything. One doctor gave me two different opioid medications because he didn't have the anti-inflammatory medicine I requested. In spite of very strict illegal drug laws, it would be quite easy to become a legal drug addict here! (I have no intention of becoming a drug addict.)

2. A new haircut. I have had three haircuts here, all of them failures. When I ask for "just a trim" I get something completely different. I'm honestly stumped on this one, I think I'll just grow my hair out.

3. Alterations. I needed a dress altered and had three things I wanted done to it. The alterations ladies agreed to two of them, but refused to do the third. It would have been way too expensive in their opinion. I was not allowed to disagree. This is an interesting business model!

4. Personal directions to a pharmacy. I have two neighbors who are Korean-American ladies married to Americans working here. They definitely qualify as ajummas, in attitude if not in age. I asked one of them if she could tell me where I could find a pharmacy (to get a prescription I actually wanted). She started to tell me but then decided what I really needed was her to take me there. I was told to get my keys and she hopped in my car to direct me there herself. Also, we had to stop at the ATM so that I could pay cash. I was even told exactly how much to take out. Maybe if I really insisted that I couldn't do it right then I could have gotten out of this hostage situation, but I'm really not all that assertive. It was an adventure! I didn't end up with any medicines in the end, though.

5. Fancy bandages. I cut my finger one afternoon while I was home alone prepping dinner. I tried to get a band-aid on but it was in an awkward place and was bleeding a lot. I went next door and asked my other Korean neighbor if she could help me. The band-aid I brought with me was deemed inadequate and I had (to her horror) neglected to bring any disinfectant with me. I left her house thoroughly disinfected and with a very well-bandaged finger!

Funny Appendix: In the end it turned out this neighbor didn't remember that we had moved in next door. So from her perspective a strange white woman suddenly showed up at her door with a hand covered in blood asking for help. I can't imagine how weirded out she must have been! However, she was still quite kind and we sorted things out before I left. Since then she's been quite friendly.