Couple's and Love Combo's

I went to three amusement parks during my one-month stay in Korea. The first time I went to Caribbean Bay with an international male college student, two middle-school boys, and my little sister. It was awkward because I had never met the student before, and we were all stuck in a two-hour line for one water ride. It was even more awkward because the people behind and ahead of us were couples who were hugging each other and taking pictures of themselves in their swimsuits. We started to talk about college and majors, and when the conversation dwindled away, we started to all play games where we got to hit each other on the wrists. By the time we had finished the ride and were heading off to the wave pool, we were all laughing and attempting to drown each other in the water like lifelong friends. Who would have known that we had all met each other for the first time that day?

I thought it was seriously strange that 85% of the park was swarming with couples who loved PDA. The girls were wearing swimsuits with padding and lace, and some girls trotted around in high heels around the water park. The other two amusement parks that I went to weeks afterwards were the same. Girls went around wearing matching t-shirts with the guy wrapped around their arms. One couple went as far as both wearing cow ears, couple shirts, matching pants, and matching shoes. The whole day felt like dejavu because a lot of the girls looked like each other due to the plastic surgery fad in Korea. I was in line at Lotte World and I could have sworn that these two girls were triplets with this famous Korean actress.

I went to the movie theater with my sister and my male cousin a few days ago. I wanted to order a popcorn and two drinks. Unfortunately, the combo was called "Love Combo." I debated saying "Number Two" to the employee, but in Korea that just means that I have to do a Number Two in the restroom. So I was forced to say "Love Combo" with a flushed face while my sister inched away so it didn't look like we were lesbian.

I think the main reason I miss the U.S. is because America doesn't highlight my singlehood as a negative thing the way Korea obviously does. Everywhere I go I see couples, and it isn't surprising. The girls here trot around in high heels with plastic faces--purely for attracting the male race. One of my friends in Korea even told me that I had one of the most unique faces she's seen--probably because everyone here just looks the same. The stores are filled with couple items; I've seen cell phone accessories, rings, shirts, keychains, meals...