I have now officially participated in the South Korean Census.

For me, this all began a couple of weeks ago when I found the census form on my front door. I reflected on the number of immigrants who go uncounted in America because of their inability or reticence to fill out the form. I also thought about what a shame that really was and how the government could serve them far better if they could only be counted. I also looked at all of those Korean characters, tore it off my door and threw it at the ground.

A few days later, new census form. Rip off tape, let fall gently to the ground.

Today, *ding, dong*.

There are usually only two reasons that Korean people knock on my door 1. they have the wrong apartment number 2. it's three o'clock in the morning and they are drunk. So, I did not think she was a census worker, so I simply said 'hello' and opened the door.

"Anyanghaseo! [insert paragraph in Korean here] English?"
"Yes," I replied.
"[insert pleasant rapid Korean]" she pointed at the form in English which needed my phone number and name. I filled it out.
She continues speaking in rapid Korean.
Points to the form.
I began to fill it out.
"What does this mean?" I asked.
"Uh..." she began.
"University?"
"Yes. yes. yes." she replied.
"Hrm.."
Penciling.
"And this? [teacher]?" I asked in Korean.
"Hrm.." she points.
"Okay," I say.
"[Thank you! Peace be with you!]" she says.
"[Peace be with you!]" I reply.

She was a very nice census worker.

i thought she'd be like la migra in the u.s. who storm into houses and try to arrest immigrants
» undisputed on 2010-12-18 11:18:51

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