One day in Seoul I wandered into one of the large Buddhist temples to enjoy the soothing atmosphere. Away from the hustle and bustle of the outside world, I was inspired by the devoted meditators, prayers and bowers. I caught a few stares – a foreigner in the temple. I prayed that I wouldn’t do anything “wrong” but it was inevitable – I headed towards a door that only Buddha is allowed to walk through.
Hanging my head to indicate shame at my mistake I found my way to the rear of the main room and knelt to meditate for a while. The atmosphere was wonderful – so peaceful and warm with human kindness.
Then a cell phone rang.
I was mortified and looked immediately to where a number of other foreigners sat. Surely they hadn’t? No. They were looking as equally disturbed as I was.
Nearby an old lady rummaged through her handbag, found the offending phone and proceeded to answer it and carry on a long, loud and drawn out conversation amid the meditators kneeling around her.
Cell phones don’t create issues of public rudeness. They just provide another way for people who have no consideration for others to express that!