Go ahead and judge me for being culturally insensitive based on this post, if you'd like, but I bet you will/would have laughed too!
This week I had a very funny international school teacher moment. Most of the time, the kids just feel like kids, regardless of where they are from, but this time, I felt a cultural divide.
A friend and colleague of mine got a puppy last weekend. Because sixth graders love all things cute, I thought they would enjoy seeing a picture of Bibi, the super adorable, 8-week old, Jack Russell.
This week I had a very funny international school teacher moment. Most of the time, the kids just feel like kids, regardless of where they are from, but this time, I felt a cultural divide.
A friend and colleague of mine got a puppy last weekend. Because sixth graders love all things cute, I thought they would enjoy seeing a picture of Bibi, the super adorable, 8-week old, Jack Russell.
As I projected the picture onto the whiteboard, the typical sixth grade responses began.
"Awwww!"
"OMG that is sooooooo cute!"
"SCREAAAAAAMMMM!"
....and off to my left, one of my Korean students who is new this year to our school says....
"YUM!"
YUM? I looked at her and said, "REALLY? YUM?"
She responded, "Yum! Soup!"
This is where my cultural sensitivity that I feel has been heightened as an international school teacher flew straight out the window. I just started laughing.
She went on to explain that her mom always has to remind her in Germany that dogs are not food. GET OUT OF TOWN! I just couldn't stop laughing.
I know that around the world people eat different types and parts of animals. But, I just cannot abide eating dogs. To each his own though.
That whole discussion just reminded me of this scene from Pulp Fiction.
"Awwww!"
"OMG that is sooooooo cute!"
"SCREAAAAAAMMMM!"
....and off to my left, one of my Korean students who is new this year to our school says....
"YUM!"
YUM? I looked at her and said, "REALLY? YUM?"
She responded, "Yum! Soup!"
This is where my cultural sensitivity that I feel has been heightened as an international school teacher flew straight out the window. I just started laughing.
She went on to explain that her mom always has to remind her in Germany that dogs are not food. GET OUT OF TOWN! I just couldn't stop laughing.
I know that around the world people eat different types and parts of animals. But, I just cannot abide eating dogs. To each his own though.
That whole discussion just reminded me of this scene from Pulp Fiction.