My thoughts when getting ready to leave the house every morning always involve three rather interesting questions: “Will I get stared at? Touched?” and “Why?” – Life in Asia at its finest… But let’s back up a bit…
So you’ve been considering going to Asia to study, work, or for a short trip, and, in between all the usual worries about moving abroad, you are especially wondering how you will be “received” by the locals. Or, more specifically to such a homogenous culture and part of the world, Koreans. I know exactly how you feel because that is exactly what I was wondering before moving to South Korea. I spent what seemed an eternity scouring numerous blogs, websites and Youtube videos to find out how people felt about living here. What I have learnt from research and personal experience is that every country in Asia is different in terms of how they will receive black people, but one thing for sure is that you will get stared at. It is true that all foreigners get stared at but you will get stared at more due to having melanin in your skin. But hey, don’t stress about it- it may just make you feel like a celebrity.
Let me share just one of many examples. One afternoon, I was out with a friend -who is white- and she mentioned to me that she felt she got stared at more when she was with me. This was interesting since I thought she would not have noticed but I repeat you will get stared at more than your white colleagues.
The stares I experience are mainly from the really young children and old people who probably have not been exposed to black people through the media as much as the younger generation has. However, I will stress that I do not feel that the stares are malicious or hostile in any way, but rather they are normally a result of genuine curiosity. They probably want to know where you are from and why you are in their country/city/town. You may just get a couple of people coming up to you to ask these exact questions. However, even though the stares are not malicious, it can get invasive or annoying after you have lived here for a long period of time It will likely happen every time you leave your house, so you will need to figure out how you will cope or manage the situation. I personally smile and slightly bow my head as a hello gesture. Normally, they reciprocate and either talk to me or I just keep it moving and simply walk away. It really depends on how I am feeling that day or what mood I am in because at the end of the day, I am just another human being.
A special note though, If you have braids, twists, an afro, or just any type of hair that is “different” from hair in Asia, it will be touched without your permission -and mainly from the older generation. You may also just get people asking to take a picture with you or if they are close enough they may try to rub your skin. I coin this all down to curiosity and lack of exposure but it can be invasive and make you feel like a bit of an animal.
Example two: I have been in a taxi where as I was handing over the fare money, the taxi driver rubbed my skin and smiled. It was a strange experience, but not shocking. Other examples: If I am standing at a bus stop and there are old ladies there, seven times out of ten they are going to touch my hair and ask me questions in Korean that I don’t understand so I just smile and nod. If I am in a shop and there is a toddler there, nine times out of ten that toddler stops and stares along with their parent for about 5 minutes until I have left and am out of sight.
Basically, in Asia, you are rare and so you are a bit of a celebrity. If you choose to come to Asia soak it up and enjoy yourself because this does not happen where you are now. You will have to get used to being an attraction and being stared at. My advice is to buy a pair of shades and start learning to smile at everything and everyone… but then again, that’s what we should all be doing wherever we are…
Sarah is a blogger, content creator and travel enthusiast who is currently an English teacher in South Korea. To find out more about her experiences click below.