In my early 30's I worked for an American construction consultancy firm in Geneva, Switzerland, and in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 1978 to 1983. My job was to promote construction-related consultant business with various leading construction companies in South Korea and foreign companies abroad based in Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, and France.
Therefore,
I had to frequently take business trips around the world. One day in March
1979, I flew to Paris from Riyadh and checked into the Intercontinental Hotel
in Paris. The next morning I walked up to the Paris Opera House, which was located
not too far from the hotel. When I arrived at the Paris Opera House, all of
sudden, it started raining. I looked around to buy an umbrella and fortunately,
I found a small store located nearby that was semi-underground.
To
take shelter from the rain, I rushed into the shop and asked the female clerk, “Do
you sell umbrellas?”
She
greeted me with a smile and said, “Yes, we do.”
The
following represents the brief conversation between the shop clerk and me:
Clerk:
Where are you from?
Me:
Well, I am from the biggest country in the Far East, would you please guess
where I am from?
Clerk:
China?
Me:
Nope.
Clerk:
Then, Japan?
Me:
No.
Clerk:
Ah, Thailand?
Me:
No, you are still wrong. I am from South Korea.
Clerk:
South Korea?
Me:
Yes, correct.
Clerk:
Why are you saying that South Korea is the biggest country in Asia?
Me:
Well, lady, I am sure you are confused by my silly answer. The reason why I
answered so is that I have always considered my fatherland, South Korea, as the
biggest country in the world even though it is geographically smaller than
others. I am sure you are proud of your country too. I’m sure that France, in
your heart, is the biggest and finest country under the sun.
After
listening to my explanation, the young lady showed a surprised look on her face
and said, “This is the first time in my life that I’ve heard such a wonderful
thought.”
When
I walked out of the store with my new umbrella, it had stopped raining.
