Banking in Korea for Foreigners

Why would a bank have an area labeled as "Two Chairs", I wonder?

This is what I noticed as I sat and wait inside a Woori Bank branch in Chungnam on a Monday morning. Not only is it a bit odd as a signboard but the spelling doesn't look like English at all with the double dots above the CAPITALIZED letter "I." Maybe it's a bit of a German word? ^^ It's just weird. 

I asked my husband about it when I got home and he said that maybe they just thought it was "cute" to have those two dots on top. Eh? Seriously? In a bank? @.@  

posted from Bloggeroid

 On a more serious note, I finally had to open my own bank account today. First stop, Shinhan Bank, followed by Woori Bank. I prepared my Foreigner's card and told the ajussis that I want to open a new account. (Dojang manduro juseyo, that's the best Korean I can muster.) It turns out, I got it mixed up again with the personal stamp called "dojang." It should have been, "TONGjang" I had to repeat it a couple of times before they understood my faulty Korean but I managed to get a queue number anyway. The queue slip reads "Sangdam jangu" - consultation window :D

Here is how it went..

Shinhan Bank

1. Got the queue slip with a staff's help. Sat and waited.

2. When my turn came up, I went the teller and told her what I want to do as I hand her my Alien Card. 

3. She immediately called their in-house phone interpreter, spoke for a few minutes with her, then handed me the phone. 

4. The call center agent verified that I want to open an account. Here's how the conversation went after the initial greetings and whatnots..

Agent: You wanted to make an account?

Me: Yes. 

Agent: Why would you like to open an account?

Me: Just for savings. I just want deposit some cash. I just need a savings account.

Agent: Yes, it is for savings. What it is your purpose? Will you be sending money abroad? 

Me: Not really. Not yet anyway. I just need a regular savings account.

Agent: What it is your purpose? Where will you be getting you money, is it from company salary? 

Me: (starting to feel annoyed at this point) Not really. I just want to put my money in a bank. 

She almost exhausted my reasoning skills. I only want to open an account, a regular savings account. Why does it have to be that complicated? And it doesn't end there.

Agent: Okay. I would like to speak to the branch manager please. 

Me: (Silent, thinking why would she want to speak to the manager now. Did I do something bad that the Manager is needed?) What's that again?

Agent: Can I talk to the branch manager...teller please.

Me: Ah, ok. (Felt relieved.)

5. The teller spoke with the agent on the phone, and started giving me the paperworks.

6. I had to fill up and sign at least 4 pages. 

7. At the end, I only got the bankbook and I have to wait for three months to get the card. Seriously? (My husband got his right away last time if I remember it right.) 

This Shinhan Bank branch doesn't really make me feel good whenever I finish a transaction with them. 

Woori Bank 

1. Got the queue slip with a staff's help. He gave me the necessary forms to fill up. 

2. I filled them up, sat and waited quite long but it's okay since I already got most of the paperwork done. 

3. My turn came up, said my line in Korean, handed her my alien card along with the forms and the teller immediately started encoding into their system.

4. She verified with me that it isn't a credit card that I am applying for. She also asked me if I'd want phone banking and internet banking. She gave an additional paper when I told her that I want the internet banking.

5. I also asked for Gyotong Card and she showed me the T money logo on a debit card. She explained a bit about it but I really didn't understand. I almost felt that I will not get that card.

6. At the end, I got that same card, along with the PIN card (secret card) and a bank book. 

Mission accomplished!  I just need to deposit some cash on these new account to try out the cards and passbook next time. Note that I didn't need to have any amount for initial deposit to open an account, unlike in my home country. 

Notes: It's better now that I am familiar with the typical terms in a form now. I just need to remember a couple of things:

1.TONGjang NOT dojang for an account

2. debit card is called Check Card

3. Sumyong is the name. Signature is usually a small area BESIDE it, not on top I think, since Koreans typically have short names and traditionally use small roundish Dojang. I signed it on top though, since my name is quite long.

I just feel a bit strange having to sign a lot of these forms without any idea what they are all about. "Never sign anything that you don't understand." really bugs me. If only there's a clue. Ah! That reminds me, one the papers from both banks had something to do with tax, I think. Go figure what exactly it is for. 

That's it for tonight. It's already past twelve. 

Pseudonymous Bosch's Book 1

The author's name stuck more to my mind than the book title this time. That is seldom the case, I'd say.
I am a 32-year old mom who is simply checking out a book my son is currently reading but I did finish and enjoyed it nonetheless.

I've just finished reading the first book from the series today after almost three days of struggling to find time to simply chill out and read it. I'd rate it at 7 out of 10, with 10 around something for books like Tolkien's "The Hobbit." Not that it is comparable to that though. It's an all together a different level as for the story's plot itself.

Before I go off tangent,  the story is just enough for an 11-year old but it's the storytelling that I find quite refreshing. The titles of the books, as well as the author's name, are quite intriguing for me that I had to find out what these books are like. The first pages already made me smile. It reminded me of the word-play attack from the Tollbooth book which I had tried to read before but never finished. The humor reminded me of Louis Sachar's and David Sedaris' books. It's just something fun to read coz it made me smile on the word-play humor.

The book chapters, even the appendix, were developed in a somewhat funny way. The main story itself is almost as lame as Louis Sachar's (don't get me wrong here though I did like those books) but it's entertaining enough for an adult like me. Unfortunately, it isn't much for my hubby :D

Samgyetang (part 2)

This entry is for a checklist on what to do and not to do on my next samgyetang.

My second try to make one here has enough filling, with the prepacked filling like dates, ginseng, and some dried stems, as well as the glutinous rice. I was able to solve the problem of keeping the stuffing inside by sewing it up a bit with the ginseng roots and tying up the chicken legs. Almost none spilled out!

It wasn't that perfect still though. I should have put more water, soaked the rice longer, and made sure that the rice is cooked. Also add the green onion or leeks as garnish and get myself a new container of black pepper. There are still two samgyetang days coming in a few weeks and two chicken waiting in the freezer. I'll get this right, with the ginseng flavor and all, soon.

Here are some links to some website articles related Samgyetang from the newspaper the Chosun Ilbo and the recipe from Maangchi's.

Samgyetang Day (part 1)

Eating  hot chicken soup on a hot summer day! That's the Korean way. I still find it hard to comprehend. There is a special day for eating such and it's not only once in the summer but three times. I can't remember if anybody has ever mentioned this to me in the almost eleven years of being married to a Korean (who now claims to be an alien Korean) until a Korean ajumma mentioned it recently.

I learned that there's Chobok, Jungbok and Malbok. All three are called Sam(3)bok. Chobok turned out to be last Friday (July 19), Jungbok will be on the 28 and Malbok on the 7th of August this year following the Lunar calendar.

It's supposed to be eaten on a hot day but last Friday started out as a rainy day. The day they didn't really start very well with me. Somebody pop in our language class three days before that and mentioned about an activity involving samgyetang, Friday, and the time. Since I'm free on that day and curious to know more about the food, I signed up. I'm not sure who else signed up but I'm so going.

Rainy Friday morning came, we all woke up very late and I had to rush to go downtown. There were a group waiting at the lobby but I just said hi and went up to where I thought I was supposed to be. When some staff saw me climbing up the stairs, they were all as bewildered as me as to where I was going. They tried to find out why I was there, and the keyword that I was able to blurt out was Samgyetang! The staff had to call the person in-charge for the activity to inform them that there is one person coming still. I was, then, sent down to the lobby to join the group.

That's what happens when one signs up without exactly knowing what it's about! :D I haven't exactly figured out where we were headed even when we were herded to the cars to take us. Someone mentioned that maybe we will head to the next town, which I was almost not very keen on coz of distance and my carsickness. I was almost tempted to back out until the road finally looked like a different one. So I tried to get settled and brace myself for a crazy morning.

We managed to pass by a university that I had been quite curious to see for a while, discovered that the fields covered with black are ginseng, and wind through inner small back roads to get into our destination. The place turned out to be special house for sick people.

We got in through the kitchen, discarded our umbrellas and bags and went inside the dining hall. We made puchimgue, served food, helped out picking out the meats, ate our own lunch, cleaned up the dining area. There more than a dozen of ladies so the job of feeding more than a hundred people and cleaning up afterwards wasn't that hard.

I've noticed that there were special holders for the used stainless cups, automatic hand sanitizer that sprays hand sanitizer and all I needed was to wipe off well with a tissue and my hand is free from the oily chicken.

I was also able to see a well-functioning kitchen that has automatic cleaner for trays, bowls, and utensils. The food waste are removed right after one finish the food and puts the trays on a corner in the dining hall. The system goes like this: discard any leftover food in your food tray before parking it on the cart. Those trays will be rinsed off one more time before they are put separately into their own dishwashing machines later on. Once done through the machines, they are put back into trays to cool from the sterilization. Everything that were used to cook gets cleaned up and even the sinks were scrubbed well.

The day got me a chance to peek through the heart of the kitchen, give back some service to my adopted place and challenge myself to eat a small cornish chicken. I was also able to meet new people who turns out to be living in the same area. Chobok may have gotten me slightly sick from the rain, sweltering hot and car ride but it was cool.

Next entry will be how my own try at cooking samgyetang turns out. 

I'm Psyched!

This past few weeks have turned out to be quite exciting after we have moved to our own place. In less than two weeks that we have moved, I finally got another challenge in store for me. I have the chance to start teaching again!

Almost 6 months since I've stopped preparing for a class and I am now back to it. But of course, my Korean language learning should still be my priority until I have passed a decent TOPIK level test in the near future. As for now, a good place to start is a one-on-one with a friend's son and a more challenging teenager's class who are all non-Koreans but Vietnamese and Chinese. Isn't that a very good challenge? 

I have no idea what their levels are in terms of English except that they are also learning Korean like me now. I can only sigh and try to prepare more as I feel my way around in this somewhat different setting. But I like the challenge. I think I am more armed with knowledge and experience in teaching ESL now than before. I just have to review my notes, read a bit more to create my curriculum. What's the use of attending the Curriculum Development class of Ma'am G. if I can't write one now? :D I just love studying specially if you can use what you have learned in real life. 

My other possible tutee will be up to my liking in a sense that it is in about the right age that I like to teach. I hope I can make a positive big difference in this kid's life even at his young age. 

As for the possible income from these stints, it would be just enough to cover my fare and snack expenses. But it's alright. The Lord knows the proper timing better. I'll take things one at a time. I'll just have to remember to prioritize and still have time to study Korean until I've reached my goal. 

Speaking of that goal, I got to go back to CUK now!

Independence Hall in Cheonan, South Korea

This year's children's day, our first one after coming back, has been a fun day trip to the Independence Hall in Cheonan. We've been thinking about that as one possible place to visit in the horizon. The perfect opportunity came around is the fun-filled activity day for kids on this year's Children's Day.

We were fortunate to have our Korean friends invite and enlist the kid up in the reservation to make sure that they will be included for the materials to be used. When I tried to inquire what activities are lined up from the site itself, I didn't get a lot of info as to the specifics. Our friend mentioned about flower puchim/jeon, mug painting but had wanted to know some more to figure out what we will possibly do for the day to no avail.

Nevertheless, we got there pretty much on time and were able to do lots of stuff. The kids were able to do the flower jeon, mugs, make the ddeok, play traditional games and other cool stuff. We went to see the exhibition hall 1 and 2 later in the afternoon. The kids weren't a big fan of the halls so the remaining 4 halls would have to pushed back to other future trips to the place. I've heard that it's a favorite field trip stop for students anyway.

Ijungono Malhagi Dewe (Bilingual Speech Contest)

 We are now sitting in a small auditorium waiting for Pilip’s turn in this speech contest. The airconditioned auditorium seats roughly about 140 people, with plushed seats that has removable armchairs. It is also equipped with projector and screen coming out from the ceiling. It has two lecterns, one for the emcee and another for the speaker.

With the 29 contestants from the province in this competition, I wonder how this will go and have them complete the 6-minute time allotment for each contestant. Each contestant will do the Korean version, then the foreign one right after. The schedule is set from 1 to 6 in the afternoon. I think they started at one (we got in about 15 or 20 past one).

There are a lot of kid from first to sixth grade competing. Most of them came in their respective country’s national costume with fancy headdress, caps, and hair ties to boot. It was an interesting sight to see their outfits from countries like Cambodia, China, Japan and Philippines. There were a couple of Russians but I don’t think they wear wearing Russian traditional clothes. However, there are also some who came in like it is just a regular day at school with only shorts and T-shirts.

The speech contest turned out to be streamlined. It flowed quite smoothly since they have two lecterns and the contestants were seated near one of those. Every ten or so kids were moved to seat near the stage and they go back to their originally seats after their turn. The mic was seldom has to be adjusted for height since there were two removable blocks that were provided just behind the lectern if the speaker needs it.

The topics were about living here having a foreign parent, their job ambitions (like translator, news anchors, etc.), the kids’ interest like singing and taekwondo. The taekwondo kid also showed up wearing his medals to boot. Another one played horn, and someone even did cartwheels. Just to note, the ones who played the horn and did the cartwheels were from my home country. I just find it funny.

Good thing is that the winner, who was also from my home country, didn’t do any of those and just a very simple content of his own family life. It was honestly simple and short but he delivered it well, meaning he memorized it and told it in an almost natural way. 

As for my son’s piece, he got the most laughs I’d say. Not only because he fumbled a bit, but mostly what he was actually saying. I was quite surprised that the audience were still awake and listening after all those hours. Nonetheless, I was just relieved that it was all over and done with. Even though he didn’t memorized well, he did get the audience attention on a good note.

Almost two long hours of sitting and listening would definitely tire anybody, specially the judges, so there was a ten-minute break sometime around three o’clock. There were hot teas, juice, biscuits and candies prepared for everyone outside. I, on the other hand, headed out in the sun to soak up the warmth since I am already feeling the airconditioned-room effect on my system. I should have borrowed one of the kids’ headwear or brought one of my own.

We were called in for the remaining set and sat for another hour, I think. My kid’s turn was at the last part so I really have to endure the remaining hour. I rushed out after all the contestants had finished their turn. I know that they would have to tally the judges’ scores for each contestant.

While we were waiting for the  the tabulation to finish, there was an ocarina group who played three songs: a Korean traditional song, an English folk song, and Chopsticks. They also showed some gag show on the projector screen. The show was simply played from a video site online. Even my husband was surprised when he saw them clicking through naver site while loooking for the video.

Everybody started streaming out of the hall before five o’clock. It took about 30 minutes and the results were out. I missed the final awarding because I was really nursing a very bad headache at that time and cannot afford to stay inside anymore.

As it turned out, my son didn’t come home empty-handed even though he faltered a few times. I wasn’t exactly expecting much knowing that he barely memorized his piece. He managed to get a bronze award (this is all paper, though). The coach and his Dad were a bit disappointed but I am just glad it’s over and we don’t have to prepare for another one for a while. :D

Although, as for my husband, he said we might have to start thinking up for the next topic of his speech for next year. hahaha..And here it is right off from the top of my head..

* his first contest experience (comparing with the Philippine ones..)

something along the lines of having to wait, grab candies, etc.

* part 2 of his snowman experience in Korea, finally (with pictures to boot)

*

P's Bank Account

I had finally opened my son’s bank account today! I had been trying to do this task for months now since his small coin bank has been full. We tried it twice at Shinhan but until last week, we barely made it to filling up the application form.

At first, after checking the document that I had prepared (Kajok Kwange), they said that the boy need his “dojang” aside from that. So I had to reschedule that one again and just had his “dojang” made by myself without him seeing how is it done.

We came back to the bank a few weeks later with the previous document and the dojang this time. When we got to the teller, she again refused us and told us that there’s something wrong with the document. The National ID number should be shown and should not be in asterisk. I was already getting pissed off by this time and asking why they didn’t check that one in the first place the first time we were there. Lousy business.

I dragged my son to Woori Bank with barely a few minutes to spare before the banks closes. We managed to get in and get to fill up the form. The thing is the same asterisk thing came up when we submitted it to the teller. This time, however, the pretty teller wrote down the list of documents we need in a cute note pad. Not only we need a Kajok Gwange but also a Dong Min Junrok.

Even though she didn’t mention, my husband reminded me to prepare the one with my name on it. Base from our previous experience, the Dong Min Junrok (Family Register) doesn’t usually include the foreign wife unless specifically requested at the Dong/Office. One would hardly notice my foreigner’s name at the bottom of the document as if it was added as an after-thought.  It bothers me to see that there’s plenty of space between my husband and son’s name and mine. Oh, well. Somebody ought to explain how that form works. :D

Nonetheless, the teller was pleasant enough to deal with even though I know that it was a trifle hard for both of us. She still had me fill up another form even though my son had already filled up the application and a privacy disclosure of sorts. Stupid me just filled up and signed another document which I think is something like a “parental document.” I do hope that will not get me in trouble later on. :D

I gave her my son’s paper bills and coins after I thought that she is already finalizing the papers. She also asked if it will be a passbook or card account. (All of these was in Korean of course.) I only tried to guess what she really meant, along with the gestures and all. Since it will basically be a deposit account, I opted for the regular bankbook account. I have to really study a bit more about banking terms, as well as filling up a form. (Tong Jang is bank book, Ibkum is deposit, Jeokum is savings.) There’s more to learn though and it is imperative that I should be familiar with these since it is a very vital part of anyone’s existence here.

I breathed a sigh of relief when the transaction of opening my son’s account was done. Good thing that the teller was pleasant and patient. I was delighted when she gave me the bank book with the Thomas Train cover on it. My son will surely be delighted as well. :D

___ --- ---

Noted Stuff

It is getting hot in the peninsula and I cannot help but notice things around me like plants that are almost as happy as I am with the sun shining hot above. One thing that I’ve noticed is that the leaves of most plants here are usually small compared to the ones back home. Indeed, tropical plants tend to have bigger leaves than the ones here. It just shows how nature adapts to the availability of sun at this part of the world. We get more sun in the tropics so the leaves are usually bigger to catch more sun. Isn’t it a funny observation? On the other hand, fruits like strawberry that are grown in a limited part of the Philippines are smaller than the ones around here.

Oh by the way, I have a seen beet for the first time at the open market under the subway track today. There was also an interesting plant called “birum” which I might try to make into  namol one day. I asked the old lady selling it and she answered me with a lot of other information but of course it was all in Korean. I only understood about less than 20% of it. As long as I got the name and the idea that it can be made as namol, it was good enough for me. I didn’t buy though. I was not brave enough to try to make it yet.

I also got to taste a cherry on my way to the Jumin Center when I happen to pass by a truck that sells them at 7000  W.

Me: Can I taste?

Cherry Ajussi: Only one.

Me: Of course.

Cherry Ajussi: Are you from the Philippines? How old? (He asks while he was choosing the cherry for me.)

Me: Yes. Seorun dol. Thank you. (And off I go as I bite into the unwashed cherry. It isn’t that sweet for my taste.)

I am so used to being asked my age here in Korea at this point but still it sounded strange to me. I only wanted to taste some cherries and I get ask how old am I? Oh, well. This is Korea.

So what else have I came across today? Ah! I tasted and finished a bibimbap serving at the Gimbap Nara today. I even managed to ask the ajumma to make sure that the gochujang is on a separate plate. Next time, I’ll ask her not to give me any kimchi and only one banchan (side dish) for me. It’s such a waste coz I hardly touch the other banchans.

Bits of Culture Differences

I've met a few more Pinays married to Koreans these past few days and of course, culture comparisons between our home country and Korea won't be unheard of. We generally know a lot of big difference but little things do come up every now and then. So here is some list about social interactions that I have come across lately:

* bringing along someone else after being invited only in the first place
* bringing a gift for an occasion is not  really required
* bringing a gift is almost required
* listing up the amount of cash gift and returning that on the next occasion for the giver
* a stranger calling you with your kids name instead of some general term for a stranger

Make a guess which are Filipino and Korean ones?

The first two are very Filipino. Prior to meeting my husband, I had no idea that the first one is actually a little common culture for Filipinos. I was made aware of this ever since my Korean husband has brought this up early on of our relationship when comparing cultures. When you invite a Filipino for a meet up or a party, do not be surprised if he shows up with someone. We are not talking about a damsel with chaperone here. Although most often, it is a lady that shows up with another friend in tow. And they don't see anything wrong with it. I have never noticed this one before but ever since my husband pointed this out, it made me more aware of this possibly happening every now and then. Although, I am more aware that I do not do the same thing coz I really do think it is a bit strange even though I lived most of my life in the Philippines.

I may understand that single ladies would opt to go with a friend when meeting some guy for a date for the first time or something like that. But other than that, I do really think that it is not cool to bring along someone when one is invited without asking if it's okay. But in the Philippines, it seems to be just okay. Some do ask, while some just show up with someone in tow.

The next one is bringing a gift for the occasion. Bringing a gift is not that common specially for friends and relatives birthdays. One can always get away without the gift although bringing one will always be welcome. (Who doesn't like gifts after all?) Nowadays, it is almost changing specially in the urban setting.

The remaining three are Korean ones.

Gifts are almost always a requirement. Cash and goods alike. The amount of cash is listed in a guest's gift  list specially in formal occasions. This is used as a guide when you get invited and have to bring a cash gift later. Common gifts would be socks, t-shirts, food packs (Spam etc., fruits), drinks (alcohols, medicinal drinks, etc.) beauty packs (facial mask, etc.),  bath toiletries pack (shampoos, soap, lotions, etc.) and cleaning agents (bathroom tissue and laundry powder for people who have just moved in.)

I think gift-giving is almost as an affair of its own like it is Japan. (Talking about origami art of gift wrapping here.)

The last one is about calling strangers with their kids name. There is an old man who lives on the first floor who does that to say hello to me and my husband. He would call out my kid's name as a greeting or to get our attention or something like that. It's just seem strange for me coz we usually just address a stranger with a general Manong, Manang, Ate, Kuya or something like that. But since the old man is way older than us, it would be Hija or Hijo, Ineng, or something like that. Hearing the old man call out our kid's name even if the kid is not around is just strange for me but seems to be the way for Koreans.

That is about it for now. I'm sure there will be more later on. :D

Multicultural Korea

The word multicultural is defined in the Longman Dictionary as involving or including people or ideas from several different countries, races, or religions. It has become familiar word in the Korean society as the rate of international marriages increase in the past decade.

The word itself can be technically correct in my own humble opinion. But my husband doesn't like it at all. He says that it is almost as bad as a label for someone of mixed decent. I argue that it is technically appropriate word. He counters if is there such a word or an agency for such in my home country or (any other country) where kids of different parents' nationalities are more common. I can only answer "none" for my home country. He has made his point. Yet, I still feel that maybe, the long-time-homogenous Korea would really need such word more than Philippines. I am a still bit ambivalent to the term. 

In spite of that, I appreciate the programs in schools nationwide from the Ministry of Education. The last week of May has been designated as the month for multicultural awareness, it seems, as I've seen in my son's school calendar. There were activities at school that were designed to promote multicultural awareness. Even my son had to join a speech contest for multicultural kids like him.

But no, it isn't just because my son gets to join such contest because he has a non-Korean parent that I am appreciative of this. I am glad that accepting the changing social landscape would start with educating the next generation. The school is one of the best place to do so. The pupils brought home some fliers, mini-books, and hopefully, a better understanding of other different cultures. 

My son's friend who goes to another school also had such multicultural activities at their school. His parents are both Koreans and are more open to the idea of multiculturalism. Come to think of it, I haven't really met an openly against such notion so far. There might be some who thinks otherwise but I believe that there generally more who support the idea. 

The term "multiculturalism" itself might be a bit strange for some at this time. Nonetheless, it can be a place to start as I look forward to the time when there won't be a need to use such term at all as everybody will be accepted regardless of their racial heritage.