The last few days have been pretty busy here at Stuff Asian People Like. We’ll have a new post ready every two days due to the “banking” that we’ve been doing. One of our loyal readers has suggested a Korean Moms type feature because we haven’t been covering enough “korean content.” Due to popular request, I am officially kicking off “Korean Moms Week” with #84 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 because Korean Moms firmly believe that all children must not only get straight A’s 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.) In any case, just nod and say ‘neh’ or yes. So in the event that a Korean Mom does ask you to do child labor:
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.
This Article Was Written By Chiyo – Stuff Korean Moms Like
Note: These posts are much shorter than usual because they are not written by SAPL.
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10 responses so far ↓
1 Rebecca // Jul 30, 2008 at 9:55 am
This always pissed me off as a child. My dad would point to the kid behind the register at Asian grocery stores and ask why didn’t I work….. well 1) it’s illegal and 2) my dad doesn’t own a store or business where I can work.
2 Peter // Jul 31, 2008 at 1:34 am
haha, that’s so true. i saw it especially when I went to Canada.
3 Marisa // Aug 6, 2008 at 11:13 am
So true.
This is a very sad fact about us Asians everywhere. Not only in Korea, but also in India and Indonesia.
4 elijah // Sep 26, 2008 at 5:50 am
i think that a forced smile is just how asians smile… and also the children look just fine in their little sweat shops i mean i would rather do that than attend prison where i currently reside for the slaughter of chickens and making blood bombs out of their intestines, no biggie
5 cassie // Jan 20, 2010 at 10:33 am
i want to know more about this
6 Sung // Feb 13, 2010 at 10:45 pm
I take offense at the child labor thing. I did the things that you described, but did them gladly. My mother didn’t want to ask me to do those things, but had to because families who stick together survive together. Have you ever heard of collectivism versus individualism? Perhaps this issue is not about preference, but rather necessity. If everyboty, regardless of race or ethnicity, had a little bit of balance of what I mentioned before, the world might be a better place.
7 LizzieNorton33 // Jul 12, 2010 at 2:33 pm
That’s well known that money can make people disembarrass. But what to do when one doesn’t have money? The only one way is to get the home loans and short term loan.
8 Las otras verdades incómodas | Tercera Opinión // Nov 28, 2010 at 1:55 pm
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9 yiwu market // Jan 4, 2011 at 7:05 pm
Pretty cool post.It’s really very nice and useful post.Thanks for sharing this with us!itâ��s my first visit.
10 dan // Feb 22, 2012 at 10:19 am
thank you for this post. Hope you will have more coming
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