The businesses of many Korean Moms are sustained by one crucial group; child laborers. How many of you in your childhood not only learned how to do algebra in fifth grade, but also learned how to fold clothes properly at the laundromat? How many of you memorized the periodic table but also the price of every single item in aisle five at the deli? Yes. I am talking to you. You who were forced to stock the mini mart/bodega with expired cans of Spam and spray cheese. Korean Moms firmly believe that all children must not only get straight A's (see #8 ) but work. When you were born, your Korean Mom fired an employee to even things out. If a Korean Mom ever asks you to work at the 'gah-geeh'/store...she is not asking, she is telling. It may sound like a question, but it is really a demand. It just sounds like a question because she is trying hard to be nice. Just nod and say 'neh'/yes. Do not ask her how long you are supposed to work. It will always be longer than you would like. Do not ask her how much you will be paid. You will work for free. Crying children in Thai sweatshops making Nike's will earn more than you. Do not complain that your Korean Mom is golfing or watching Korean Dramas at home while you are slaving away. She will only make you work harder as retribution. And no. You will not get a lunch break.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
#38 Child Labor
The businesses of many Korean Moms are sustained by one crucial group; child laborers. How many of you in your childhood not only learned how to do algebra in fifth grade, but also learned how to fold clothes properly at the laundromat? How many of you memorized the periodic table but also the price of every single item in aisle five at the deli? Yes. I am talking to you. You who were forced to stock the mini mart/bodega with expired cans of Spam and spray cheese. Korean Moms firmly believe that all children must not only get straight A's (see #8 ) but work. When you were born, your Korean Mom fired an employee to even things out. If a Korean Mom ever asks you to work at the 'gah-geeh'/store...she is not asking, she is telling. It may sound like a question, but it is really a demand. It just sounds like a question because she is trying hard to be nice. Just nod and say 'neh'/yes. Do not ask her how long you are supposed to work. It will always be longer than you would like. Do not ask her how much you will be paid. You will work for free. Crying children in Thai sweatshops making Nike's will earn more than you. Do not complain that your Korean Mom is golfing or watching Korean Dramas at home while you are slaving away. She will only make you work harder as retribution. And no. You will not get a lunch break.
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8 comments:
Love the site, Chiyo - keep it up!
this is SO funny
this shit is so true. my parents own a haguan (learning academy), and i've been providing free chemistry tutoring to the community for YEARS!
damn, my skateboard was a mover's dolly to transport the laundry basket to the laundrymat...they didn't even allow kids in the laundrymat but i went anyway...
i have no memory of my mom doing the laundry...
Now that I have a store, and two kids, I can't wait for them to start paying us back! (Hahah! Just a joke...)
Love always,
Heather
My parents own a Tae Kwon Do school and they made me work there as soon as I was in elementary school; starting with the easy stuff like cleaning, progressing to teaching class, running the summer camp and finally the administrative work, while my KM watched Kdramas. I LOVED staying at the dojang till 10pm working, studying, and being desperately hungry for dinner.
At age 8, I stood on a milk crate to run the cash register at my mom's deli every day after school and Saturdays. I was the only kid at school who knew every type of deli meat, bread varieties, and cigarette brands there is. After we got home, I peeled the boiled potatoes and eggs for the next day's potato salad and egg salad!
My dad owned a black hair beauty store. I used to help restock the floor and work the cashier when I was little, wee one. I used to love using those old school price guns to add the price tag stickers on the products.
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