We’ve been in Seoul and Busan for about 3.5 days, and in that short time, I’ve already been amusing myself with all the quirks of the culture here. These are some of the things that I’ve chuckled at or been “wowed” by:

(Updated on 7/12):

1. Korean mall food courts: I love these, and I don’t even like to shop. They’re sparkling and pristine just like the ones in Japan, except here in the food court areas, they really thought of everything. There are sterilizer storage machines that look like mini fridges that store plastic or metal cups. Next to these are water dispensers for hot and cold. When you are done, you throw them into the round shoot, perfectly shaped for the cups, so that they can be cleaned by some other hidden machine. This area also has sinks with soap and hand towels for you to use, so you don’t even have to go to the bathroom to wash your hands. I loved this system so much — so efficient!
2. Korean mall bathrooms: Like other bathrooms outside of the U.S., these walls go all the way up to the ceiling. But what was most notable about these was that right by the sinks, there are mouthwash dispensers with mini cups for your use. It’s like they are saying, “We know our food is stinky and has a lot of garlic and fermented fish, but never fear; here’s some mouthwash so your breath doesn’t smell after enjoying all our tasty food!”
3. Korean bathrooms in general: Many of the toilets in fancier buildings will have a little towel you can pull off and use to spray with a disinfectant for the toilet seat. They are obsessed with cleanliness.
4. Lesser Korean bathrooms: Soap bar, not liquid soap. This will gross out so many Westerners.
5. Subway stations: A little jingle plays when the train is about to arrive. In the Busan stations, it’s a classical jingle with what sounds like a kids’ choir. I found it so cute, but I have a feeling that jaded New Yorkers would never go for this and would roll their eyes to no end.
6. Endless ads for plastic surgery: Eyelid surgery before and after. The advertisements are everywhere — in the subway stations, on billboards, on the street; so much pressure to look a certain way.
7. Bathrooms in general: I’ve popped into stores to use their restrooms without buying anything, and no one seems to care; in fact, when I asked in Korean where the bathroom is when I clearly just arrived and had zero intention of buying anything, I was greeted by huge smiles and hand motioning on where the bathrooms are. They’re so kind… or simply just understanding of the fact that when you gotta go, you just gotta go.
8. Chocolate in Korea: Not so good. In fact, it’s pretty disappointing. Chris is not happy.
9. Korean knock-offs: So many Korean knock-offs exist here of everything from Oreos to Digestives (the British biscuit) to even cocoa puffs. Even stores have such similar names and vibes of the ones in the U.S. (Face Shop has such similar font to Body Shop). The fake leather bags felt really, really fake. No wonder they only cost 10,000 won (that’s less than $9 USD).
10. Korean socks: The sock culture here is the epitome of “cute.” Cute, silly socks with caricatures of pigs, monkeys, mustaches, Totoro, little chicks, a design that you are wearing a shoe on your sock — you name it, you can find it. I’ve already bought three pairs. I have no shame; I embrace it.
11. Fish cakes everywhere: We’ve already passed several bakeries where all they are selling is about 50-80 different types of fish cake of all different shapes, sizes, and fillings. Some have minced corn, scallion, and carrot; others are mashed and wrapped around whole shrimp, hot dog, or bacon, and others are flattened and square-shaped, filled with minced kimchi or gochuchang (Korean red hot pepper paste). The obsession with fish cake is delicious to me, but boring to Chris.
12. “Cushion” compacts: It seems like almost every woman is carrying one of these in her purse and pullling it out for occasional touch ups. I’ve noticed this on the street, in restaurants, on the subway, and on train stations. Korea is one of the cosmetic and skincare capitals of the world, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.
13. Women’s nails: This must be a trend now, but so many women have each finger and toe a different nail color. I don’t think I could handle this myself. A “party” nail could work for me, but everything else has to match more or less.