Baseball and Newspapers...
I work out every day at a major hotel in Seoul, swim and keep fit. Gradually, I have been noticed as a nice guy and foreigner and have struck up friendships with some of my gym-mates....and the man at the concierge desk...you see, I need an English newspaper every day and it is part of my package, but sometimes its gone....over time, Mr. Choi know what that means to me and has saved every day for me.
The hotel is traditional, a gathering place in Seoul, this metro-global city. Mr Choi is so kind and helpful. One day I wanted to give him a very small tip for this courtesy and he refused. I insisted. It was very modest. Over time, we talked and shared stories and it is even possible to say we became friends.
One afternoon lately he presented me with the newspaper. I was with a close local professor friend. Then, in a moment, came the Samsung Tigers professional baseball team in uniform through the lobby on their way to a KMLB baseball game. I waved to players! Had no idea what was to come....
Then in an instant, the main man, the last year all-Korea homerun king stood in front of us and my friend the concierge brought him a package. He opened. Two fresh new wood bats for the game that night. My friend, the concierge, Mr. Choi, presented the bats with no less, no more respect than he gave me the daily newspaper.......
I asked for a photo with the player and got it. I told him we need him at the San Diego Padres!
He noticed and said thank you, we shook hands and I have a now treasured photo....
My friend, the concierge, Mr. Choi, is the actual subject of this essay. He treated us the same, me and the home-run king...ultimate respect and professionalism....there is something in this story that runs deeper about Korea. It is something that runs deep in Korea people....I am not sure I can put that in words, but I noticed that. Thanks, Mr, Choi. You are a window on Korea, yesterday, today, and tomorrow...
Home-run kings get bats....I get newspapers. Mr. Choi helps our worlds so far apart and yet as close as a photo, right there
I work out every day at a major hotel in Seoul, swim and keep fit. Gradually, I have been noticed as a nice guy and foreigner and have struck up friendships with some of my gym-mates....and the man at the concierge desk...you see, I need an English newspaper every day and it is part of my package, but sometimes its gone....over time, Mr. Choi know what that means to me and has saved every day for me.
The hotel is traditional, a gathering place in Seoul, this metro-global city. Mr Choi is so kind and helpful. One day I wanted to give him a very small tip for this courtesy and he refused. I insisted. It was very modest. Over time, we talked and shared stories and it is even possible to say we became friends.
One afternoon lately he presented me with the newspaper. I was with a close local professor friend. Then, in a moment, came the Samsung Tigers professional baseball team in uniform through the lobby on their way to a KMLB baseball game. I waved to players! Had no idea what was to come....
Then in an instant, the main man, the last year all-Korea homerun king stood in front of us and my friend the concierge brought him a package. He opened. Two fresh new wood bats for the game that night. My friend, the concierge, Mr. Choi, presented the bats with no less, no more respect than he gave me the daily newspaper.......
I asked for a photo with the player and got it. I told him we need him at the San Diego Padres!
My friend, the concierge, Mr. Choi, is the actual subject of this essay. He treated us the same, me and the home-run king...ultimate respect and professionalism....there is something in this story that runs deeper about Korea. It is something that runs deep in Korea people....I am not sure I can put that in words, but I noticed that. Thanks, Mr, Choi. You are a window on Korea, yesterday, today, and tomorrow...
Home-run kings get bats....I get newspapers. Mr. Choi helps our worlds so far apart and yet as close as a photo, right there
