It is part of Korean culture that when you go out, you go out for 3 rounds.
Where and why this started I have no idea. This is one point of cultural information I cannot provide you with the answer.
I haven't ever really participated in this tradition. With my school the first round is always dinner. Which I happily attend - sitting quietly while no one talks to me and eating fabulous food for free is a meal I can deal with.
Free. Food. What is not to like there?!
It's the later rounds that I have had no experience with.
A second round was suggested a lot my first year, but I always backed out. Going to a norae bang (karaoke place) is not my idea of fun even when I'm in my drunkest-make-poor-decision-moments. So I graciously passed on those.
In my second year, my school had significantly fewer dinners and second rounds were never mentioned. So there was no public singing to dodge. Phew!
However, this year... Dinners have returned (yay free food!) and talk of multiple rounds has resurfaced.
But there seemed to be an established tradition at my school - when talk of the second round came up, all the women lowered their gaze and leave promptly after eating. There was no assumption that they would join or that they should. I foolishly thought I was in this category of 'count me out' as well.
Maybe I used to be.
Having backed out so many times before.
But these are new days at my school.
New VP. New/more males members and with that…
My luck ran out Friday because I was in for all 3 rounds.*
- Round 1
Points that should have been warning signs:
1. No female teachers were drinking or even asked for a drink
2. I was offer beer and included in several of the cheers with the males at the other table
3. Male teachers saying in Korean (then translated to me) that they wanted to get to know me more.
4. Get a clue Meagan!
- Round 2
Getting to know me more, turned out to be me, and only me - talk about throwing me under the bus - going with the 7 male staff members of my school to play pool. Nooootttt awkward. At. All.
This, however; turned out to be great fun. Sure, talking to my co-workers wasn't the smoothest or the easiest thing at first, but as the evening went on things got easier. We were even able to taunt each other while playing; and I ended up having a really good time!
^sorry really crappy photo, only one I managed to take the whole night.
- Round 3
Despite losing to one co-worker and another who looked like he was going to fall over from his soju-fueled drunkenness (the males drank 5 bottles of soju - that I saw!) we continued on for the next round.
The final round took us to a local pub on Yeongdo. We all crowded in around a table, ordered beers and fruit - because what else would you snack on while you drink cold, light, beer?! And then ordered some more beer and snacked on dried fish, squid and meat. I choose to pass on this round of snacks. But it was still great fun!
After that the night came to an end.
Or so I thought.
The whole night had not taken us out of a one-mile radius of my apartment or school. I knew exactly where I was and how to get home. I wasn't worried about walking myself home. It wasn't even 9pm!
But my co-workers wouldn't hear of it! We split up into two groups, said our goodbyes and then I was walked with my escorts back to school and given a ride to my apartments (all which took longer than had I just walked home to begin with but what can I say… they were being gentlemen).
*Although I started out apprehensive about how the night out with my male co-workers would go, in the end I'm really glad I went long for the last 2 rounds!! The men at my school are really great people and it felt so nice to be included and to have co-workers want to talk to me! I also may or may not be in love with one of my co-workers. He is the most adorable thing!! ^^
I'd go for more 3 rounds with them! as long as there's no more dried squid.
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