How Dare This Boy?!

P050809PS-0264, originally uploaded by The Official White House Photostream.

This photo would not be possible in the Korean (asian?) culture for many reasons.

1) A top leader would never "bow" to anybody in their pride and rank, much less to a child's request.

2) A child touching an adult's head would deem disrespectful and the father would proceed to spank the child mercilessly for such disrespect.

3) insert many other cultural differences and conundrums

The problem that 2nd generation Korean-American's face is therefore quite tough. Growing with the idea that there is not a problem of calling an older person by their first name in the American culture, they sometimes would do that in a mixed generation location such as a Korean Church. Yet, their Koreanized parents, not understanding American culture would chastise their children, who would be clueless as to why as everything they see say otherwise.

I remember many times when I would goof around with the children at church and sometimes one or more adult would catch them and tell them that they are disrespecting me. That they are not supposed to jump on the pastor, or pat their head, or choke them from behind, or kick them when they are down... well, ok that last one I have to agree, it hurts, I'm human too.

I felt no disrespect and this is the way to play with kids and get to be close to them. I don't mind if the adults try to teach them manners but... anyhow... I can talk about this topic for about 10 chapters on the positive and negative for the first and second generation and the bridge builders in between who are trying to make both sides understand each other... tough job... good luck me... haha.