I continue to be amused by our interactions with Koreans as we are out and about. Most days, I’ll hear someone say “μκ°” (pronounced egg-y or augi) when they spot August. People here just love to gaze at him. Yesterday, a couple of women in the elevator were beside themselves when August started to move around. Today, I entered an elevator with about 10 women. The cover to the stroller was up so only about one or two of them could see August. When they got excited, I took the cover down and the elevator was filled with oohs and ahs and then laughter as everyone heard how funny they sounded. π Yesterday as I was waiting to get August’s alien registration card, an older woman tried to take him from me (as far as I can tell, without asking) so she could hold him. I’m not sure how I feel about that, but I was about to nurse him and she seemed to agree that was more important.
Then there are the people who try to look casually but you can tell they’re staring. There was a man in the grocery store the other day who did that. Then I watched him tell the woman he was with about August and they “casually” walked by us in the next aisle so she could see him too.
Our students’ reactions are just as much fun. The other day I arrived at school (for a meeting with my principal) right at the end of 7th period. All of my 7th graders were out on the field for PE. I heard, “Ms. Althauser!” and then they all came running and surrounded August and me. Luckily it was at the end of the period and their teacher wasn’t upset. π
And then, of course, there are the people who feel they need to give us advice. I remember one of my students telling me last year about how older Korean women are not shy about critiquing/giving advice. We definitely get a lot of that–usually centered around the need to cover up August, particularly his arms. A few times, women have reached into the stroller to cover him up or fixed the blanket so it covered him better as I was holding him. One time, we were waiting for an elevator in a lobby that was full of people. August was hungry, so he was crying very loudly. I had just picked him up from the stroller and he had quieted down. A woman came over, grabbed a blanket, and started covering him. But, as she was doing that, he started screaming again. She quickly backed away. π Today was the first time a man gave advice — this time about his finger nails, advising me to cut them shorter so August doesn’t scratch himself.
It’s all very amusing. Actually, I feel lucky that I get to share August with so many people who are as excited about him as I am.