Date: Tue, 28 Jan 2003 21:27:01 -0800 From: the_dojang-request@martialartsresource.net Subject: The_Dojang digest, Vol 10 #46 - 13 msgs X-Mailer: Mailman v2.0.13.cisto1 MIME-version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Errors-To: the_dojang-admin@martialartsresource.net X-BeenThere: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13.cisto1 Precedence: bulk Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net X-Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net X-Subscribed-Address: kma@martialartsresource.com List-Id: The Internet's premier discussion forum on Korean Martial Arts. List-Post: List-Subscribe: , List-Unsubscribe: , List-Help: Status: O X-Status: X-Keywords: Send The_Dojang mailing list submissions to the_dojang@martialartsresource.net To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://martialartsresource.net/mailman/listinfo/the_dojang or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to the_dojang-request@martialartsresource.net You can reach the person managing the list at the_dojang-admin@martialartsresource.net When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of The_Dojang digest..." <<------------------ The_Dojang mailing list ------------------>> Serving the Internet since June 1994. Copyright 1994-2003: Ray Terry and Martial Arts Resource The Internet's premier discussion forum devoted to Korean Martial Arts. See the Korean Martial Arts (KMA) FAQ and the online search engine for back issues of The_Dojang at http://MartialArtsResource.com Pil Seung! Today's Topics: 1. =?iso-8859-1?Q?Re:_Korean_Kung_Fu_Revisited?= (bsims@midwesthapkido.com) 2. Jackson (Hapkido Self Defense Center) 3. New Site Part 2?? (michael tomlinson) 4. Gear Donations (Bruce Harris) 5. Red Scorpion 10th Annual (MagicNum2@aol.com) 6. special bonsai dirt ? (Ray Terry) 7. RE: 1st Dan testing week (Gregory Giddins) 8. MA Warm ups (Dana Vaillancourt) 9. Re: MA Warm ups (SyksRep006@cs.com) 10. 2003 Santa Cruz Open (Ray Terry) 11. Helping Students (Charles Richards) 12. New Website (Charles Richards) 13. Anti-Americanism in Korea (in annoyingly practical detail) (Ray Terry) --__--__-- Message: 1 Date: Tue, 28 Jan 2003 16:24:02 -0600 (CST) From: To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] =?iso-8859-1?Q?Re:_Korean_Kung_Fu_Revisited?= Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Dear Folks: As you would expect my research into the various Chinese boxing styles to influence the development of Korean martial traditions has taken me onto the Internet quite often. One of the most commonly identified boxing styles is the Praying Mantis style. While recently visiting the Internet (see: www.geocities.com/mantiscave/meihua.htm) I found a lineage of some 11 generations to wit: 1.) Wang Lang 2.) Yu Zhou Dao Ren 3.) Da Dao 4.) Li Bing Xiao 5.) Zhao Qi Lu 6.) Liang Xue Xiang 7.) Jiang Hua Long 8.) Wang Yu Shan and his student Yian Pin Jao also Gi Zung Ting and his (9th Gen) student Ling Ping Jiang There were also a 10th generation Hong Moon Tak and Chun Dai Soung who is identified as “USA” but has a student (11th Gen) Ku Young Han identified as “Korea”. Among the interesting biographical notes: a.) Liang Xue Xiang (6th Gen) was born either in 1810 or 1790 and that “the Korean branch of Mei Hua Tang Lang mentions this master as the creator of the Plum Flower branch of Praying Mantis Boxing.” He is reported to have passed away in 1860. b.) Jiang Hua Long (7th Gen – d. 1924 or 26) modified the monkey footwork first combined with Praying Mantis by using more Long Fist footwork (reported easier on the boxers’ knees as he grew older). Long Fist (Chang Chuan) is one of the four very influential Chinese boxing influences on Korean MA development. c.) Gi Zung Ting is “known in the Korean branch as ‘Kee Chung Chong’ d.) Lin Ping Jiang is said to have “emigrated from Shandong to Korea in the ‘40’s and taught Tang Lang Quan in the Seoul Area. He had a school in Seoul but taught sometimes at the Chinese embassy….” e.) Hong Moon Tak was “born in Korea in 1948 and he studied under Shifu Lin Pin Jiang. Before 1964 he began studying Praying Mantis and Ship Pal Ki (18 techniques and weapons systems…..before 1985 Hong was an influential member of the largest kungfu (sic) association in Korea, the Korean Kung Fu Association, Inc……” f.) Chun Dai Soung was born in 1944 and started learning Monkey and Long Fist at the age of 8. “In 1977 he moved to New Orleans (USA) to open a school and he left his schools in Korea to his senior student, Shifu Ku Young Han….” I wouldn’t mind pursuing this material with folks who might be likewise interested in researching more of the Chinese-influenced side of Korean Martial Arts. Best Wishes, Bruce --__--__-- Message: 2 From: "Hapkido Self Defense Center" To: Date: Tue, 28 Jan 2003 17:44:46 -0500 Subject: [The_Dojang] Jackson Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Alaine, here is my bonsai website so you can prepare for your test:) www.hapkidoselfdefense.com/bonsai.htm Jere R. Hilland --__--__-- Message: 3 From: "michael tomlinson" To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Date: Tue, 28 Jan 2003 22:51:27 +0000 Subject: [The_Dojang] New Site Part 2?? Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net James wrote: <<1. Where was C.G. in your pics?......>> James the group of pictures under the computer graphics header are all computer graphics,, I meshed pieces of photo's from all over and then manipulated them to look like one piece of art.. <<2. Under your 9 Main Rules of Sin Moo Hapkido, "Healthy Sex"?? Is this stressed to ALL Sin Moo Hapkido students, even kids? Or is this a joke and I'm just not getting it?>>> James these are Doju Nim Ji's 9 rules, and the healthy sex is not for kids, it is a way of living for adults,, most of the philosopy is geared towards adults when it comes to this kind of thing in Sin Moo Hapkido. Thanks for the good word,, One major problem I have already had was with using that free hosting site, they have already kicked me to the proverbial cyber curb with their memory assesments!! I have now switched my site to a new server and added some more stuff, I'll be adding a ton more in the near future,, the new address is: zdragon.bitbytenibble.com Sorry for the confusion, but check it out and tell me what you think good or bad... Michael Tomlinson zdragon.bitbytenibble.com _________________________________________________________________ Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 --__--__-- Message: 4 Date: Tue, 28 Jan 2003 14:49:07 -0800 To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net From: "Bruce Harris" Subject: [The_Dojang] Gear Donations Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net ATTENTION USTU MEMBERS The USTU would like for you to bring your old taekwondo gear to the US Open in Las Vegas, Nevada. Please bring any head gear or hogu to donate to other countries that are unable to outfit their members with taekwondo gear. There will be donation boxes set up at the USTU registration. For those who cannot be at the Open, we will miss you but you may ship your old hogues, head gear etc.... to the USTU Office: US Taekwondo Union One Olympic Plaza Ste 104C Colorado Springs, CO 80909 719-866-4632 Thank you for your support! --__--__-- Message: 5 From: MagicNum2@aol.com Date: Tue, 28 Jan 2003 17:54:01 EST To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] Red Scorpion 10th Annual Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Hello, our school, Red Scorpion Tae Kwon Do will be having there 10th annual tournament this coming Saturday, Feb. 1 at Cypress College. I will be sparring in the women's 37+ age group . I hope to see some of you there and meet some people around the orange county area. I can use all the support I can get! Hope to see you there! Hyun --__--__-- Message: 6 From: Ray Terry To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Date: Tue, 28 Jan 2003 14:51:55 -0800 (PST) Subject: [The_Dojang] special bonsai dirt ? Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net > Alaine, here is my bonsai website so you can prepare for your test:) > www.hapkidoselfdefense.com/bonsai.htm Jere, Can we order your special dirt from there? Ray "just failed the test" Terry rterry@idiom.com --__--__-- Message: 7 From: Gregory Giddins To: "'the_dojang@martialartsresource.net'" Date: Tue, 28 Jan 2003 16:08:36 -0700 Subject: [The_Dojang] RE: 1st Dan testing week Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Ellen, I do indeed remember the week of my 1st Dan testing. But mine was only 6 or 7 years ago, so it's still relatively fresh in my mind (compared to some of our "Executive Blackbelts" we have on the list, haa haa - oh, I'll pay for that comment in March.) Anyway, it was a wonderfully horrible week. I was pretty stressed. I had voluntarily kept myself at 2nd gup for a looooong time, something like 7 or 8 months after being told I could schedule my test when I felt I was "ready". I was rather comfortable wearing the red belt, and I don't think I EVER would have thought myself ready for blackbelt. My kicks were too low and slow, my arms were too weak, my sparring was too poor, my stances too high... If my instructor didn't finally tell me to test I probably would still be a red belt. But the week before the test was filled with stress, sweat and many bottles of wheat-beer. I did OK during the day at work, and the evenings were ok too because I was in class working out, but nights were rough. I couldn't sleep. So I drank beer. It seemed to help. :) I look back at it now and shake my head. I put all this pressure on myself unnecessarily. If my instructor didn't think I was ready to be a blackbelt he wouldn't have scheduled my test. Of course I had to perform well, but I think I would have performed better if I just would have relaxed and viewed the test as an opportunity to show my stuff to the other instructors and students at the testing. They knew my capabilities and my limits, all they wanted was to see me do my best. Everyone wanted to see me wearing a blackbelt the next week, just as I'm sure everyone wants for you. Only advice I can give is to look ahead. Look past tomorrow and into next month, when you'll be a blackbelt. When my instructor gave me that belt after the test it was like a ton of bricks dropped off my back, and it never came back. Of course, I was quite a bit sore the next day, and a little hung over from the celebrating, but it was a great day nonetheless. Just try to remember your instructors aren't looking for you to perform above your limitations. "Perfection" is saved for 4th Dan, (right Mac?) They just want you to put the best part of yourself forward. Now that's not all that hard, is it? ;) I know it's a stressful time, but in order to stay sane just remember they aren't looking for a performance you can't provide. They want to see YOU, Ellen. Just you. A human being working hard for what she desires. You give them that and the bricks will fall off before you know it. Greg G --__--__-- Message: 8 From: "Dana Vaillancourt" To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Date: Tue, 28 Jan 2003 23:55:30 +0000 Subject: [The_Dojang] MA Warm ups Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Hi. I just bought a warm-up suit from a martial arts company and although they are nice looking, they do not cut it for stretching and kicking like I thought they would (and was told). I also expected a gusseted crotch. Is it just me (have trouble with pants due to upper leg size) or has anyone a brand of warm up that works for them? Thanks. Dana _________________________________________________________________ Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 --__--__-- Message: 9 From: SyksRep006@cs.com Date: Tue, 28 Jan 2003 21:09:59 EST Subject: Re: [The_Dojang] MA Warm ups To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net In a message dated 1/28/2003 7:12:42 PM Central Standard Time, vailkorma@hotmail.com writes: > I just bought a warm-up suit from a martial arts company and although they > are nice looking, they do not cut it for stretching and kicking like I > thought they would (and was told). I also expected a gusseted crotch. Is > it just me (have trouble with pants due to upper leg size) or has anyone a > brand of warm up that works for them? i have bought a pair of warm up pants from American Eagle outfitters that are very large in the legs even so for ma training i would suggest buying one size large. i got the pair i have now for around 30 bucks. expensive yes but hey im young --__--__-- Message: 10 From: Ray Terry To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net (The_Dojang) Date: Tue, 28 Jan 2003 18:20:32 -0800 (PST) Subject: [The_Dojang] 2003 Santa Cruz Open Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net 2003 Santa Cruz Open Tae Kwon Do Championships March 1, 2003, Saturday held at Aptos High School 7301 Freedom Blvd. Aptos, Calif 95003 Hosted by Korean Martial Art Academy For more information call 831.476.5555 or FAX 831.476.2599 --__--__-- Message: 11 Date: Tue, 28 Jan 2003 20:06:03 -0800 (PST) From: Charles Richards To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] Helping Students Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net <> C Richards, thanks for including me in one of your posts. I was keeping up with it somewhat, sometimes 435 posts on the same topic can tend to make you pass them up without fully reading. Tuition is an important topic in teaching. My recent fee increase came at a good time, when everyone can see my putting more effort into school upkeep and improvements, and they know I am getting more and more serious about making this a full time school, so they don't mind helping a person dedicated to something they love. I have a good group of folks. I have bad ones too of course, but the good ones make up for them. I am trying to figure out how to take credit cards in my school without having to invest a fortune in machines and filling out 5 books of paper work. How has Credit cards helped or hurt ya'lls schools? <> Speaking of helping out, my students left me speechless (yes me) Monday night as they snuck out to the parking lot before adult class, to present me/the school with a gift of a 5x10 mat from all the students as kinda a late birthday gift. What was really kewl is that all of them where involved and I had no clue. Charlie, as to credit cards go to https://www.paypal.com and sign up, I have a business account, but you can do it as a personal account. If you do the business account you can get a free Debit/ATM card which I use as the business credit card for gear orders and travel expenses. You're right everyone else wants too much for the low volume most martial arts schools pass through as credit card purchases. My billing service also takes credit cards FWIW (www.ppsbilling.com) A credit card acceptance can help you with 1. Mom and Dad are 30 days late but truly want to pay tuition. If you use Paypal you could very discretely email them a Paypal request on the 5th ot 10th day.... 2. Mom and Dad decide to get a complete set of gear, register for a tournament, and just paid testing fees....Putting the gear on a card would help them make all those purchases at once (when they're excited about them) I'm not sure how taking credit cards hurts a school unless you sign up with one that charges too many fees. Yours in Jung Do, Charles Richards www.mojakwan.com __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com --__--__-- Message: 12 Date: Tue, 28 Jan 2003 20:11:44 -0800 (PST) From: Charles Richards To: "J. R. West" , Dojang Digest Subject: [The_Dojang] New Website Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Good Friends, We are pleased to announce our new domain and ad free website www.mojakwan.com The online registration for the events should be up by mid February Yours in Jung Do, Charles Richards www.mojakwan.com __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com --__--__-- Message: 13 From: Ray Terry To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net (The_Dojang) Date: Tue, 28 Jan 2003 21:19:24 -0800 (PST) Subject: [The_Dojang] Anti-Americanism in Korea (in annoyingly practical detail) Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net >From the Korea Studies list. Given the excellent nature of the post I thought I'd forward it along... Ray '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Hello - I've been a lurker here for some time, so I'll introduce myself quickly. My name is Michael Hurt from UC Berkeley, presently in Korea doing dissertation research related to national ideology/race/nationalism. For those working in similar areas, please drop me a line. Regarding the Dr. Robinson's academic group visit to Korea, I concur with everything said on the list, although I would like to add a few things as a non-white Korean Studies guy working in Korea. Since I first came here in 1994, I've noticed that there are certain situations that are "high risk" for simple verbal harassment, which I think is as likely to happen as it has ever been, and obviously even more so with the recent wave of anti-Americanism. Still, my overall assessment is that you shouldn't even worry about the possibility of there being a physical altercation between a Korean and one of your visitors. It's much more likely that they'll be involved in a traffic accident than a scuffle over being a foreigner. Still, there are a few things that seem to increase one's chances of people taking (sometimes negative) notice of you. 1) Riding the #1 line at night, especially on the weekends. There seems to be an older crowd on this train, and more people in this group tend to be drunk at these times. Almost all the negative incidents I have experienced in Korea (from being verbally harassed to being chased off the platform) have occurred on the #1 line. It's a connector to a lot of more rural places, as well as the line many GI's use to get back and forth to other bases. In September, 3 soldiers were attacked (one kidnapped and forced to apologize for the US military's crimes); I wasn't at all surprised to hear that it was the #1 line they had been taking to base. 2) Traveling in groups and speaking English in closed spaces. Although not generally a problem, it definitely increases your visibility and grates on some people's ears. Speaking English at the same volume level as other Koreans in the same space still means you sound twice as loud. Alone, I'm generally never even talked to - just ignored. When I occasionally meet an American friend and are talking in public, I am quickly reminded of how much more noticeable this makes us. As a pair, I've had everything happen from people coming up and wanting to speak English with us, to an airline stewardess asking us to be quiet (although we were speaking no louder than any other person on the plane) because a passenger had complained about our loudness. When a large group of people speaking English is traveling around (and it doesn't look like a tour group), it will be quite noticeable when taking public transportation or walking in public places. I came to Korea as a Fulbright English teacher in 1994, and we would often go as a large group (around 30 people) to places for orientation, meetings and such. Everywhere we went, it caused quite a stir. Although it's 2003 and there are more foreigners than there were then in Korea, large groups of foreigners walking around everyday parts of Korea are still unusual. I don't think it would be much different for, say, 10 people to get on a subway and be speaking English, having multiple conversations and such, than in 1994. People will inevitably talk to members of such a group, although I think that, with little exception, the conversation would be quite congenial. But just know that I have several colleagues and friends who have been slapped for no other reason than 1) being American, and/or 2) speaking English. Especially for Asian Americans (who may or may not be/look Korean American), this has been a problem. I regularly hear about not just the standard "taxi driver story" in which they admonish Korean Americans for not speaking Korean, but also about women especially who are verbally assaulted or slapped by older Korean men who see them as a "miguk-nyun." Even recently, a colleague of mine was told to "Speak Korean!" while talking with a friend on the subway. Again, I don't think it necessarily a problem for you, but I don't know your group. Forewarned is forearmed. 3) Looking like or being a GI, meaning being male, in good shape, relatively young, having a short haircut - or just being African American. Although I don't wish to stereotype academics (I'm one myself!), most of us don't meet most of the above criteria. If you do, there might be places that are just a bit more sensitive to you. Near the Hongik University area (Hongdae) there are still many places - mostly clubs and bars - that have signs that say "Due to unpleasant experience in the past, no GI's are allowed" or something to that effect ("No GI's!") Since Itaewon has been hooked into the Seoul subway system directly with Line #6, IGI's and their families have been much more inclined to travel outside Itaewon. Hongdae has become the #2 spot to be now, outside of Itaewon. Since 9/11 and recent anti-American and anti-military incidents (one officer was set upon by multiple attackers and stabbed with a 5-inch blade on the way back to his camp in December) a strict curfew has been in effect. MP's in Itaewon regularly patrol and strictly enforce the 1 AM (weekends) curfew to be back on base. So Hongdae has become an additional attractor for GI's who want to party bcs the MP's do not patrol in this area. Almost as soon as the verdict hit, the "no GI's" signs went up. But "normal" looking folks have no problem. It's all pretty subjective and questionable, I know. But know that individual businesses scattered around the city (and other places in Korea) made similar acts of discriminatory protest. Ever since the government has been trying to reign in the anti-Americanism (superficial as it is), I think you won't find many places outside of Hongdae that do this. But it's hard to account for everyone, so don't be surprised if you come across something like this or similar sentiments, especially if members of your group look GI-ish. But being in a large, diverse-looking group will tend to cancel this factor out. Just something to be aware of for individual members of your group, methinks. 4) Seeming unsympathetic to US military crimes. A small factor, and one that you probably won't have to think about at all, since the major protests are over and there are now few college students maintaining booths and handing out flyers in subways and on major streets. But it's something to think about. The 3 GI men who got into trouble were a convergence of several of the above factors: they were traveling in a small group on the #1 line at night - AND THEN got into trouble when they refused (perhaps angrily?) a flyer from an activist. Given the language difference, the graphic photos used, and the strong feelings on both sides of the issue, I doubt it was taken by either side as a friendly exchange of ideas. I've been handed flyers on the street, I think sometimes being singled out bcs I looked American, but I always neutrally accepted the material and walked away. When I have spoken with these people, they were always more than willing (usually very much so!) to "fill me in." Just know that this isn't a matter of debate or even an analysis of pertinent facts with many people here. I can't blame people directly as much as the willfully irresponsible media here, which misreported or simply didn't report certain things to people here, especially in the matter of public apologies made, compensation given, the fact that Korea is in SOFA agreements with several other countries, or even that this was not a deliberate act of murder, at the most extreme. In any case, the misconduct of the military - in the way many people here understand it from the news they've been getting - is simply an article of faith for many people. If you don't speak Korean and don't know the person well, I wouldn't even broach the topic, to be quite honest. If someone does ask you "what you think as an American", I suggest you be really up on the fine points of this incident and plan to have some time to get into it. If you want to have pleasant dinner conversation, I'd suggest talking about something else. 5) Walking around as an Asian female/non-Asian male pair. This greatly increases your chances of people at least looking askance at you. Especially in this time or relatively heightened tension, grumbling over the recent James Bond film, and the general distaste that many Korean men express towards foreign men taking "their" women, this is something to keep in mind. Even when walking around with a female friend being completely and consciously platonic, people stare. Since they hear that we converse in Korean, it's generally a non-issue. But in many other cases I know of, as well as observing people's reaction to such "couples", I know that this can be a major trouble attractor, possibly as great as all of the above ones but together. I've heard of a taxi driver taking a couple and dropping them off way outside of their destination out of spite, a Korean female adoptee who had her Caucasian father visit and when they expressed normal familial affection caused serious social scandal around them, women being verbally accosted in Korean (the Korean man assuming the foreign man doesn't understand), ad nauseum. The general reaction to an obvious couple - especially if the man is not white - is barely-concealed distaste and snickering. This is even more so if the couple is conversing in English in public. Then some of the issues described above (the woman being a "miguk-nyun", English attracting attention) are additional factors. Some people might disagree with this description, but I've seen this reaction a LOT. Just be aware of it if members of your group fit this demographic and decide to go on a day trip together. This is the closest I think any situation will bring members of your group to the possibility of having an unpleasant experience, but even still, I don't think it will actually cause any real problems. 6) Being black, or otherwise racially marked. In my total of three years spent living in Korea, I've seen an African American friend be called "n-gger" (yes, in English) exactly once, but it turned out (as the police came after he near attacked my friend) that he had been living in LA for the past ten years, and had obviously brought some baggage with him that can't be declared at customs. In Korean (and most people don't assume I speak it), I've been called "kkamdungi" exactly twice. Once in passing as a man wondered to his friend what a kkamdungi was doing on Cheju Island in 1994, and once by a kid at a wedding who asked his immensely-embarrassed mom if I was really a kkamdungi or not. As you can see, this sort of stuff is rare, unintentional, and relatively innocuous. I say this because the American term "n-gger" has different historically-specific and heavily loaded impact than its Korean "equivalent" that roughly means "blackie." In terms of other ethnic backgrounds, know that in general, South Asian laborers are not looked upon too highly here, although I wouldn't say there is active popular resentment that people tend to act out individually. Still, I find that many of these people seem to be sort of socially invisible, it seems. But take that as my subjective and relatively uninformed opinion in that regard. Don't let this mini-list deter you. Just writing about the above points makes the issue seem much larger than it is. For the most part, the most interaction your group will have with ordinary Koreans they don't know will be limited to passersby or passengers asking where they are from, why they came to Korea, did they watch the World Cup, etc. I would be quite surprised if anything untoward happened to your group. Even if something uncomfortable were to take place, I think it would be limited to the random yell from afar. And even in the RARE event of something serious taking place, like being verbally or physically accosted, 1) speaking Korean almost instantly defuses the situation, and 2) a conscientious Korean will likely intervene on the behalf of the hapless foreign visitor who is being harassed by a drunk ajussi. I think many Koreans who actually witness such an out-and-out, unprovoked attack on a foreign visitor would take this as an embarrassment to the country. I've never seen an entire group of people encounter outright hostility here, and I would bet money that your experience won't be any different. Just watch out more for individual members of the group, while keeping the above things in mind and using a little caution with the entire group when you are out and about in public. And as an organizer, if you are the main worrier, then your guests don't have to be. Just watch out for them a bit as you have your groups's likely QUITE enjoyable stay in Korea! Michael Hurt Korea-American Educational Commission Fulbright Building 168-15 Yomni-dong, Mapo-gu Seoul 121-874, Korea "Criticism, in short, is more than a right; it is an act of patriotism, a higher form of patriotism, I believe, than the familiar rituals and national adulation." - J. William Fulbright --__--__-- _______________________________________________ The_Dojang mailing list The_Dojang@martialartsresource.net http://martialartsresource.net/mailman/listinfo/the_dojang http://the-dojang.net It's a great day for Taekwondo! Support the USTU by joining today. US Taekwondo Union, 1 Olympic Plaza, 104C, Colorado Spgs, CO 80909 719-866-4632 FAX 719-866-4642 ustutkd1@aol.com http://www.ustu.org Old digest issues are available via ftp://ftp.martialartsresource.com Copyright 1994-2003: Ray Terry and http://MartialArtsResource.com Standard disclaimers apply. Remember 9-11! End of The_Dojang Digest