A Word on Awkward Dinners

Going to social functions with my school really stresses me out. I normally don't get stressed out, and I ususally thrive in a social setting. However, things are different when you're a white person in Korea who doesn't speak Korean. Things get awkward. Last night I went out to dinner with my school's staff. The following is a list of the most memorable awkward moments of the night:

1) While timidly pouring a drink for my vice-principal (it's a custom), i accidently spilled red wine all over her shirt.

2) At the same moment, the Vice Principal was motioning her hand. It looked like she wanted me to pour more, so I continued to pour until the man next to me tapped me on the shoulder sternly and said, "Maybe that's enough."

3) All night, I constantly kept hearing my name surrounded by hushed of sentences of Korean. It's bad enough when someone's talking about you while you're right in front of them. It's not even fair if you can't understand what they're saying!!

4) Slices of processed meat arrived in front of me. I asked my co-teacher what it was, and she simply said, "Pork." I figured it was safe enough, so I took a bite. It had the strangest texture and taste of anything I'd ever eaten. It was crunchy and smooth at the same time, extremely chewy, and the flavor was something nightmares are made out of. Grimacing, I asked her how it was prepared. She replied, "It's pressed pig's head."