Korean Ajumas

Ajuma is a Korean word that translates to married woman, but is used to describe older women from age 50 upwards. Despite their sweet looks, ajumas are a force to be reconned with and they absolutely continue to surprise me...not in a positive way! I've been meaning to write about the ajumas for awhile. They are all over the place, and one of the first things you notice when you move here.

The weird thing about the ajumas (from a western point of view of course) is that they all look the same. I don't mean this in an i-can't-tell-asians-apart kind of way, but they literally all look the same. They all seem to be about the same size and shape, they wear glasses, and they all have the exact same hair. I had to ask one of my friends if Korean womens' hair turns curly at 45, but apparently they just all have perms. ALL of them. They are also very weary of the sun, and wear huge rimmed hats and carry umbrellas to block the sun. They have absolutely NO style...matching floral prints with swirly designs and stripes. Quite a site to see!

They travel in packs too, and I've noticed that when they're together they dress even more similarly. Three or four ladies in black pants and different pastel colour floral print button-up shirts for instance.

In general there are just a lot more old people out and about working and doing things here in Korea. One thing that ajumas have taught me is that we in the west have not been properly exploiting a valuable source of labour; middle-age to old women. The stuff you'll see these ladies dragging or carrying on their backs is just ridiculous. They're like ants. We gotta start putting ours to work. It would be a huge boost to the economy.

Apart from their looks, ajumas are absolutely terrifying...a far cry from the sweet grandmother image we have for western older ladies. Ajumas are not shy about giving you the once-over. There is nothing like a disapproving stare from an ajuma on the subway to make you feel uncomfortable. They stare at you like you are an absolute discrace and can hear them whispering amongst each other...you are the obvious topic of conversation. No point in trying to win a staring contest...the ajumas always come out victorious!

The first few times I heard an ajuma clear her throat and spit out the biggest luggie i'd ever seen it was funny...now it's just discusting! They have absolutely no shame!

Also, nobody can push, shove and drop elbows like an ajuma. At first you think that tiny woman who just scuttled past you in the subway couldn't possibly have been the source of the elbow you just took in the ribs. It took me awhile to realize that you've just gotta hold your own with an ajuma. Give them an inch and they'll totally sneak past you in line, grab something you were going to buy, or block you out of a subway train. As soon as the subway doors open, they beeline it to the only empty seat and grin at you, feeling triumphant. It doesn't matter if you've been waiting in line at a store or for an elevator for 30 mintues, ajumas think it's completely ok to make their way right past you in line...obviously pushing and shoving on the way.

After being in Korea I have a completely different opinion of little old ladies. They may look innocent but could quite possibly take over the world! For a bit of fun, my friends and I rented out a bar and had an ajuma party. We all dressed like ajumas and picked fun at their actions...it was a blast!