Age is just a number

Today Sean and I met up with our Manager Won-Young to watch Iron man 2 for his birthday. Won-Young is pretty cool, when I lost my bag on the subway he drove to 6 subway lost and founds to try and find it. And he loves ally mcbeal!

Speaking of birthdays, I found out that I'm in fact older here! In Korea, the day you are born you are one year old; you celebrate your first birthday when you pop! From that day on you age a year on new years day! So for example, say you were born December 31st, You're born 1 years old! The next day you turn 2! It's crazy, but whats even crazier is that while I'm only 27 turning 29 back home, here I'm 29 years old! OMG!!!
Another interesting thing about age is that its not rude to ask someone how old they are because of the respect customs they have for seniority. For example, if you are drinking (alcohol) with someone older than you (someone is always older!) the younger person typically turns their head away when drinking. Also if you are greeting someone older than you, you have to bow a little lower, and if you are shaking hands with someone older, you should use 2 hands. Receiving gifts (or anything, like money or if someone is pouring you a drink) is also a two handed affair. (you should also pour the drink with two hands)
I'm Terrible at guessing age here. The women especially really age well it seems. Its funny when they ask me to guess their age, I'm thinking mid twenty's and they turn out to be late 30's. I thought this boy at my gym was kind of cute, but guessed he was probably 21... turns out he was 29! So especially for foreigners, it never hurts to ask someone's age, and it definitely won't be considered rude.

By the way, for all you iron man fans, check out this hilarious video by the amazing Kirby Ferguson.
Iron Man Dance