Four things Koreans do better

Well, I finally got to try Taco Bell in Korea. As good as it was, it just wasn't the same as good old American Mexican fast food. Sometimes it seems like everything in Korea is just a little bit different from it's American counterpart -- from the cars and driving style to clothing and personal space. 

Some of the differences are frustrating (for example: monoculturalism to the point of racism), some of them are bewildering (no public trash cans, just people hired to clean up litter), but a lot of the differences turned out to be better ways of doing things. They're not just different or worse -- they're better.

Here are some of the things I think Koreans do better than Americans.

1. Brush their teeth

Koreans brush their teeth three times a day, without exception. This means most, if not all Koreans keep a toothbrush and toothpaste at work or school to brush their teeth after lunch. At school, even the kids have their toothbrushes stored in the classrooms. After lunch, they all crowd into the bathroom together for a mini-toothbrushing-party. 

Also, when I first got here and had to get a medical checkup, the dentist made sure I brushed my teeth at least three times a day.

Side note: All that extra work might not be paying off because Korean toothpaste doesn't contain fluoride, for whatever reason.

But it does come in some interesting flavors including: pine, charcoal, green tea, and a mysterious tiger herb that I suspect Charlie Sheen might like...

2. Stream TV

In South Korea, anyone with a smart phone (read: everyone over the age of 12), can watch live TV for free on demand. On the subway, at least one of the people on either side of me is always watching some Korean drama on his or her phone. Many taxi cabs also have live television steaming to small TVs that resemble GPS systems. In both instances, the video quality is superb, as well.

3. Dispense tape

Okay, this might not change anyone's life, but this one invention is so simple and yet so effective. Take a look.

So when you turn the knob on the right, the gears spin, turning the tape and delivering it in pieces cut by the plastic spokes. 

This is perfect for schools because there's no blade involved, it's large enough that kids without fine motor skills can operate it, and it's waste-proof since it comes out pre-cut in perfect pieces. 

It seems like such a mundane invention, but this changes the way we do crafts at school. Tape isn't something only teachers can use here -- which is a bigger deal than it sounds like. It fosters self-reliance and allows teachers to focus on things other than repairing ripped papers. It's simply genius. 

Anyone want to start manufacturing these in the U.S.?

4. Squat

Oh, the Kimchi squat. The perfectly-executed Korean squat requires the person's butt touch his or her Achilles' while the feet remain flat on the ground. Try it (but while no one's around, because you will fall). 

Every day, I see people showcasing their squatting skills: from my students to grandmas on the street selling vegetables to my boss at work. The adjummas -- Korean grandmas -- can squat lower than I ever could, even in my softball catching heyday. They do it to work on the ground, while eating a snack, waiting for the bus -- whenever!

I remember the first time I saw the squat: It was in 2009 on Wando Island and our bosses were outside the building talking. One of them, a spry 40-something named Mr. Kim, was squatting so low it looked like his butt was touching the ground. I asked him, "What are you doing?" To which he replied, "I take a rest." Yes, folks, the Korean squat is a position of comfort and relaxation.

Doesn't this look comfortable? Like a day at the spa...

Indeed, Korea boasts some pretty ingenious improvements for efficiency's sake, even things as simple as putting to-go fast food cups in little bags so they're easy to carry. Don't get me wrong though, there's plenty of things America does better, and Taco Bell is at the top of that list.