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| A Chubbier me |
It is coming up to 6 years since I've been in Australia. I must have gotten quite comfortable living here because I tend to get a slight culture shock almost every time I encounter Koreans. The other day, I met my friends mum at a party. She looked a bit surprised at seeing me and asked if I was expecting my third child. I answered no and just thought it was because I was wearing leggings and a baggy top. But after the party was over and I said farewell to her, she made sure I understood exactly what she meant by commenting, 'You've gained a lot of weight.' At which I had to answer, with a smile, 'Yes, I did.'
I shouldn't be surprised at these kind of comments. If you remember my former post about my Skype chat with my aunts, this is quite normal in Korean culture. It isn't rude at all for people to comment on your appearances. It is their way of showing their interest in you. And I was more amused than offended by this incident because I understood this. However, this is one aspect of Korean culture that I do not wish to pass on to my children. All people are precious to God whether big or small and I want to teach my kids to see beyond people's appearances. I want to help my kids to be interested in a person as a whole, rather than just their looks. This means I need to change my perception as well, and not judge people by their outward appearances.
Nonetheless, I find this easier said than done, coming from a culture where it's a sin to be 'ugly'. I sometimes catch myself worrying that my daughter will get dark from the Australian sun and not have translucent, porcelain white skin. In Korea, women have complicated skin care regime to have wrinkle-free and white skin. But what's wrong with having a darker skin tone? Nothing at all. I also sometimes find myself being glad that my son has big eyes. Small eyes are so abhorred in Korea that many people get surgeries done to have double eyelids, thus achieving a more 'Westerner' look. But what is wrong with looking like you are supposed to look (ie. Asian)? Absolutely nothing.
Nonetheless, I find this easier said than done, coming from a culture where it's a sin to be 'ugly'. I sometimes catch myself worrying that my daughter will get dark from the Australian sun and not have translucent, porcelain white skin. In Korea, women have complicated skin care regime to have wrinkle-free and white skin. But what's wrong with having a darker skin tone? Nothing at all. I also sometimes find myself being glad that my son has big eyes. Small eyes are so abhorred in Korea that many people get surgeries done to have double eyelids, thus achieving a more 'Westerner' look. But what is wrong with looking like you are supposed to look (ie. Asian)? Absolutely nothing.
I sincerely hope that I can show my children that beauty doesn't equal 'skinny', 'tall', or 'white', but that people with all different shapes and sizes are a magnificent piece of art created by God.
'Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.'
Peter 3:3 - 4
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