Author Archives: Tammy Kang

“A needle burglar will become a cow burglar.”

Nationality: Korean
Age: 58
Occupation: Manager
Residence: South Korea
Primary Language: Korean

“A needle burglar will become a cow burglar.”
This saying means that a burglar who starts out stealing small things will eventually move on to steal bigger things. It serves as an explanation for the fact that people cannot do something bad and end there; they are going to be tempted to do bigger, worse things.

“Don’t step on the threshold when entering a room.”

Nationality: Chinese
Age: 23
Occupation: Student
Residence: Santa Monica
Primary Language: Chinese
Language: Korean

“Don’t step on the threshold when entering a room.”
This is a popular Chinese superstition. Many Chinese people say that stepping on a threshold when entering a room will result in a death in the family. To the Chinese, thresholds represent life, and stepping on thresholds can cut lives short.

“Don’t wash your hair the night before an exam.”

Nationality: Korean
Age: 49
Occupation: Manager
Residence: Las Vegas
Primary Language: Korean
Language: English

“Don’t wash your hair the night before an exam.”
Many Korean students believe that when studying for an exam, all the knowledge is contained in the hair. Therefore, they believe that washing their hair before an exam will wash away the knowledge, and they will not be able to do well on an exam.

“Don’t buy shoes for someone you love, or they will walk away.”

Nationality: Korean
Age: 35
Occupation: Soldier
Residence: Honolulu, Hawaii
Primary Language: English
Language: Korean

“Don’t buy shoes for someone you love, or they will walk away.”
This is a common Korean superstition; many people believe that buying shoes for someone they love will make them walk away. Essentially, they believe that they are providing the tools needed to walk away.