3 Strikes

First, the local fruit vendor decides that instead of selling me half a bunch of bananas as he has done for the past 6 months, he will only give be a full bunch. Despite my frantic gesturing and pleading, he gestures back that I must buy the whole bunch. It's either all 13 bananas in the bunch or nothing at all! I'll take nothing at all. It's better than ending up with black mushy bananas by the end of the week when I can't finish the whole bunch.

Then, Home Plus has no whole wheat bread in stock AGAIN. That's the second week in a row that I walked all the way there only to be met with dissappointment and frustration. What does a girl have to do to get some nutritious bread?!  I ask a store clerk for the bread in case there is some in the back. Her response: "bread opsoyo." Get it together HP! I end up buying a small bunch of 6 bananas while I'm there (take that fruit man!). The cashier cheerfully greets me. She gets no reply from me. After returning my change, she smiles and thanks me in Korean. Usually, I smile back and say goodbye in Korean. Not today. Bite me, Home Plus.

Next, I'm walking home. The sidewalk is crowded today. Probably because the temperature is pretty mild. The woman in front of me keeps slowing down every few seconds to look at what the ajumas are selling. Lady, if you want to shop, step to the side; don't stand in the middle of the sidewalk! I try to go around her but there are several ajumas blocking my way. The woman slows down again. This time, she comes to a full stop. I say excuse me as she's blocking my way. She doesn't move. I say shillai-hamnida this time. Instead of getting out of the way, she looks up at me and she's so consumed by my non-Korean face that she just stands there staring at me and still blocking my way. I'm not in the mood to entertain her wide-eyed look. I use both of my hands to push through and make a path for myself. In my head, I hear Ludacris singing, "Move b****, get out the way!"

You have 3 stikes today, Korea. Not cool.