Welcome

by Damaris Muriel Nobs (Switzerland)

Making a local connection Korea South

I had been working as a passenger service agent for Korean International Airlines at Zurich Airport for almost two years when I decided it was finally time to visit this incredible country, whose language I didn't speak, but had heard so much of. In spring 2017 I flew out of Zurich via Tokyo Narita Airport and changed to Tokyo Haneda (which was easy because Japan, even though I haven't seen much of it yet, is one of the most organised places I'd ever been to). After a short flight which took us over Mount Fuji, I touched down in South Korea’s Incheon Airport in Seoul. I obtained a local sim card which I always do to find my way around and use the odd google translation if I get fed up with pointing at things that I want. The people at the airport were friendly and respectful, which I had expected as I had met many South Korean nationals on their way home while working at the airport. However, the first unexpected thing that happened was at the Airbnb I was staying at: It was a lovely small apartment, which was shared by several guests. After I had sat down for dinner, a middle aged man sat down at the table and started putting his dumplings on my plate. Then he resumed eating his dinner. I was confused, but thanked him in Korean (‘’Gamsahabnida’’, the only word I know how to properly say). He smiled the biggest smile (I was told that South Koreans love it when you make an effort to speak even the tiniest bit Korean) and kept eating his dinner. A similar incident occurred when I took my next flight a few days later. Seoul had been rainy, so off I was to Jeju-do, an island off the coast of mainland South Korea which is home to over 360 inactive volcanoes. On the plane I was sat next to an elderly couple. After take off, the lady took three Lindt Lindor Chocolates out of her bag. She handed one to her husband and the other one to me. Again, in surprised delight (because as a Swiss person I would never say no to chocolates) I thanked her with a timid ‘’Ghamsahabnida’’ and they both just smiled at me. Then we sat in silence for the entire rest of the flight. After touchdown I easily picked up my rental car, which allowed me to be flexible during my stay. I drove around the whole Island and got to experience the stunning seaside cliffs, walk up dormant volcanoes and take in the cherry blossom blooming all over the island. My next Airbnb was on the opposite side of the island from Jeju City. Communication had been slow this day and I felt kind of tired from travelling and driving. My room mate at the Airbnb couldn’t have been much older than me. After I had my shower, she was lying on her bed with headphones in and took them out when she saw me. She pointed at a packet of South Korean candy she’d put on my pillow and smiled. I said another ‘’Ghamsahabnida’’ and started unwrapping one after the other. She smiled in delight and I offered her one, which she took, then put her headphones back in and I was left in silence again. I was trying to figure out why these strangers were being so incredibly nice to me. I know that in some touristy places, locals sometimes get pretty fed up with visitors if they’re being inconsiderate. I messaged a friend who was in a relationship with a girl from South Korea at the time and told him about my experience. He laughed at my naivety and explained that this was their way of welcoming me to their country. The gifts are to make me feel welcome and to create a positive image of South Korea for me. I smiled at this. I never expected so much loveliness from strangers, especially if I didn’t even speak their language. But this experience showed me, that language doesn’t have to be a barrier. The language of kindness and lovely gestures speak much louder than any words could.