Get Your Fingers Away from my Bum-hole!
Written by Bessie on Friday, March 05, 2010 in Korea, Republic of
Feelin' annoyed
Among the many transferrable skills I've picked up as an English teacher in Korea, none are more vital than being able to mime: "No, actually, it's not funny to point your fingers into teacher's butt." In case you find yourself in need of protection, it involves a lot of angry finger waving, eye squinting and bum protecting. Feelin' annoyed
Think I'm joking? Someone bothered to make a statue.
"What am I talking about?" your wondering. I wish I wasn't able to tell you. 똥침 or Ddong Chim is a practical joke of sorts Koreans young and old enjoy. Wikipedia says it roughly translates to "poop needle" and that it's also famously known in Japan as kancho. Simply clasp your hands together pointing your 2 index fingers and sneak up on the bum of your nearest friend. Kids do it in school, and I even saw 30-something year old waiters doing it passing time during a slow shift. Awesome.
Although, not so awesome at the start of a new school year when 4 year olds think it's a fun way to joke around with teacher. I could be telling you about the sweet little round faced angel with black pig-tails high on her head hugging teacher, but she's no angel and this was not a hug. As part of having fun with kids to ease them into English-immersion pre-school, I get to teach them to stay away from my bum-hole. One of the many life-changing skills I'll impart on them over the next month I'm sure.
I'm not the first English teacher in Korea to find myself snuck up on with little poking fingers, and I know I won't be the last. All I can say is watch out, or you might find yourself a ddong chim victim.
Comments on "Get Your Fingers Away from my Bum-hole!"
Why am I not surprised that they made a video game from this?
Who woulda thought it?
How did I not know about this?! Wow. So grateful no one's tried this on me (yet).
probably by the time they get to you they know better than to try it on the teacher! now you know to beware. :)
.....I'm usually not surprised at events or things anymore, however this one really surprised me!!
haa haaa - glad I could surprise you. it surprises me too, but hopefully not many more times! ;)
Yikes!!
Wow. Um, just wow.
You know, I think those of us in the west so often think that eastern cultures are prim and proper. This practice--not to mention the statue in apparent honor of it--seems to suggest (not surprisingly) that culture can't be reduced to such stereotypes.
How about this stereotype buster: Koreans prefer eating SPAM to tuna. Go figure.
Thanks for commenting on my site, and for the tips on Mexico!
p.s. This is.....umm, beyond words! hahahaha!
we called this a "butt worm"...
ack Marge! I guess I prefer that name over "poop needle".
I call it "weird".
K & B, surely you have heard the term he/she was "goosed"?
actually, not until you just told me........ Thanks for filling me in!
I don't think I'm going to tell Lila (5yo) about this or we're going to have a fun new game in our house for sure.
That's a wise choice. Worrying for a child is one thing. Worrying about getting poked from behind every time you bend over is another.
Fan-freaking-tastic. I really don't know what else to say about it. Thanks for adding an extra-special something to my day. :)
Every culture has some odd games and pranks and such, but this one really surprised me. Yikes!
At least our "poop needle" experiences are making some people happy! :) We do it all for our readers.
In my "school world", that would have probably garnered a suspension for the "feely" kid!
And I thought the Scoop was a little shocking! This is amazing.
haa haa - Scoooop! The one thing the scoop has over the poop needle is a great sound effect.
Q Q
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I had a Korean teacher for a database structure class a few years back, I'm glad he used formal american greetings.
I blame those darn video games:
by Alex at March 05, 2010 07:25 AMhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boong-Ga_Boong-Ga