“Small Face”

The first time I heard the phrase “small face,” I was quite confused. In fact, the first time I heard it, it sounded like an insult.

I’d walked into my classroom for the first time in Korea with a ponytail, after a tough morning of waking up later than planned, among other setbacks, and my co-teacher, Linda, said to me, “Oh, you look like you have such a small face!”

Although I instinctively wanted to say, “Well, screw you, too, sister” with visions of ‘Beetle Juice’ dancing through my head, I refrained. Within seconds, she explained that having a “small face” in Korea is an attribute of beauty. Who would’ve thought it’d be worded in such a manner? More so, who would’ve thought I’d have been granted such praise on a morning when I looked like Hell’s giant windstorm picked me up and twirled the crap out of me, then threw me back on Earth?

I just got back from picking up a 5,000-won pizza (basically, 5 bucks, so you can bet it’s not gourmet, but goodness to heck, it does the job, and cheaply, delightfully so ;)).

While I was waiting for my pizza to get baked, I popped into the convenient store next door, hoping to get some Black Beer Stout (the best Korean beer you will find, and although that’s not saying much, it’s pretty good stuff) to go with it. No Black Beer, but I did find a decent ice cream cone for dessert, so I picked it up, and while I was paying, the two young Korean boys behind the counter flirtatiously toyed with me.

Now, I’m not bragging that two cute high school kids were flirting with me, don’t get me wrong. I just call ‘em as I see ‘em. Lol!! :)

So, anyway, one kid says, “Do I have a small face?” and I laughed and said, “Yes, you have a very small face,” and looked at the other one and said, “And so do you.” But both of them strongly contested that, and the guy I said it to even pulled back his bangs to show me his five-head while saying, “Not small! Big!” and I laughed and said, “Big head means big brain. You are a genius!” and they both chuckled with contentment -- one with the looks, one with the brains. :)

When I walked out the door, one of them hollered, “See you again, beautiful girl!”

I guess it doesn’t take much to please kids these days, huh? Anything foreign will do.

Works for me. :)