Although I am basically a foreigner here in South Korea, I often do not get treated as such. In Korea, there are many foreigners especially during the summer or during holidays. However, there are many occasions where these foreigners will receive what they call a “foreigner tax” where certain restaurants or shop owners will try to up-charge them.
I have personally experienced this before although I don’t look foreign, but it only happened once near Camp Humphreys military base in Pyeongtaek. I was simply buying a power cable for a computer, but the man running the store changed the item’s price after I spoke English. He thought I didn’t notice, but actually I did, I just didn’t know enough Korean to argue over the price.
Ever since this experience, I have been a lot more cautious when speaking in public. I often speak in bare minimums, meaning I only say the necessary words to complete my objectives. For example, when ordering from a restaurant, I simply say, “One of this item please.” I do not make too much small talk, unless the other person seems genuinely interested in my life. My usual response to small talk is, “Sorry, I don’t speak Korean very well.” These aforementioned phrases are spoken in Korean of course.
Although my Korean is not yet fluent, I speak enough to get by. No one can really tell I am a foreigner until I start speaking. I am what they call a black-haired foreigner. Because I am half Korean by blood, I look Korean. I speak just enough Korean to get by, but I am not truly Korean, I am American.
Despite that, people will often think I am just like everyone else. I don’t stand out in public and often times nobody treats me any differently. I don’t even stand out to foreigners unless I start speaking English. Because of my appearance, I’ve had my fair share of struggles in both countries. In America, people assumed I am foreign, but I had been a US citizen since birth. Here in South Korea, people assume I am just like everyone else, but in reality I’m foreign to this land and have only just begun my journey here as a citizen.
My story today is one of many out there. I hope that by writing this I can help or inspire others who struggle with the same issues. The life of a black-haired foreigner is often a complex and difficult one.
