A Twist of Words... Monday, June 3

It's always interesting how it's socially acceptable for people to ask me questions that are borderline personal but when I change one word and fire the question at them I am all of a sudden socially and inappropriately rude.  There are two questions I get asked almost on a weekly bases and I've turned to sarcastically answering them with my own question.

Them: Why do you box? 

Me: Why don't you box?

I box because beyond it being an awesome workout and means of keeping my figure, it definitely gives me a sense of security knowing that I can defend myself.  It's very empowering.  Moreover, boxing isn't all about sparring, bloody noses and cut knuckles but it is about training hard, pushing your body to new limits and challenging yourself.

Them: Why don't you have a baby?

Me: Why do you have a baby?

I know too many people who have kids for the sake that they think it's "the thing to do" -- particularly here in Korea -- like learning to walk and going to school. You just do it because it's a part of growing up, of being an adult.  If that's what it means to be an adult than I hope to never grow up.

And then there are some statements that are continually said to me like they're a broken record and I can't help but change their wording and wish I could fire it back at them.  I don't, heck no, but I'll admit that I definitely am saying it back to them in my head.  In my head I can see me saying it, them freezing like a deer caught in the headlights and then them firing back with a slap to my face or some kind of attempted drop kick.  

It's apparently ok for people to say "You shouldn't exercise so much" but I can't say "You should exercise so much."  Ok, so the English is broken but you know what I mean.  I run a boxing club, exercising is kind of my thing genius.  It's always interesting to note who says this to me too; they're usually the same people who spell "gym" j-i-m or spend so much time exercising their mouth (via complaining) as opposed to their bodies.

And then there are those who think it's ok for them to say "You should have a baby" to me but I'm not allowed to say "You shouldn't have a baby."  This past weekend I met a lot of parents who really weren't concerned with their children playing with kettle bells and running around our club.  My boxercise gal and her husband brought their two beautiful boys but they also were poster parents -- watching their boys and making sure they didn't get into trouble.  As for the other children who were going hog-wild, one child ended up going to the hospital for stitches actually.  No sooner did they return to our party but their parents again disregarded their child repeating the very same action that scored them the stitches in the first place.  It was me who told that particular child to stay out of the ring and it was me who told the parents their kid was hiding in the bathroom.  Too many people in Korea think having a baby goes hand-in-hand with becoming a grown-up and I don't buy it.  Sometimes I wonder if it weren't an expected thing for Koreans to do after marriage, would they have a baby?!  I'm all for people having children but I'm also for parents being parents. Kids are going to be kids but not always are parents going to be parents.