Cameras and Mirrors and Korea, oh my!
Okay, I admit it. I love my camera.
In fact, I love my camera as much as Koreans love mirrors.
And let me tell you, Koreans love their mirrors.
Rural reflection en route to Godalsil temple/ ruins
Mirrors in Korea are everywhere. In the hallways. In stairwells. Along entire walls in coffee shops. In my student’s hands during classes. On teacher’s desks.
I have seen more men preening in Korea than anywhere else in my life. I consider this to be an impressive statement, being that I lived for a time in Italy, home of beautiful Italian men, who are not like our timid, humble Midwest American men.
Intelzone Elevator Reflections - my apartment in Yeoju
The elevator in my apartment is completely mirrors, all four walls, including the doors.
It is not uncommon to find myself awkwardly sharing the elevator with one Korean man, of any age, but for now, picture one who is relatively similar to my age, perhaps mid- to- upper- twenties: and me, standing awkwardly upright and swaying my weight from heels to toes, heels to toes while said man stands with his back to me, face glued to the mirror, hands patting at his hair, picking at his teeth, gazing, preening, with nary a glance elsewhere.
Awkward.
This scenario is the opposite of America, where it is blatantly uncool to preen, especially in the presence of others.
Men preen, women preen, Amanda stands awkwardly unsure of what to do with her hands, but often decides to settle on making solid eye contact with the floor, or, when the floor feels too lame, with the steely, slightly squirming reflection of the eyes exactly even to my own.
To be fair, physical appearance is a matter of some significance in Korea. An attractive physical appearance plays a role in getting a good job, as has been explained to me several times.
Mirrored mustard scarf.
Rural road to Godalsil II
As a result, the women are incredibly stylish. They do their makeup in little hand mirrors on the subway. On the streets. In busses. In cafes. While on a date with their man, who happens to also be dressed very stylishly, and carries his own purse, or his woman’s purse, or both, with one over each shoulder.
Plastic surgery is not uncommon in younger girls, end of middle school prior to starting high school, who like to go to the doctor and get a double eyelid. Double what? Double eyelid. Yes. You heard correctly.
Did you know that you, in the event that you are a non-Asian reader of this blog, which is a large percent of my blogosphere audience, and consequently I am referring to you, yes, you have a double eyelid, and that Korean women find that to be an incredibly beautiful feature of your face?
You may also have a small face, which I have been told is extremely attractive, and you may have a big nose, of which my own has been endlessly discussed after first introductions.
Enough.
In the spirit of cameras and mirrors, I offer you the following collection of mirrors, cameras, and opposite-Amanda photos.
Enjoy.
Onlyholic reflections: small and incredibly cheap coffee shop