Dear editor,

As someone who has tutored a lot in Itaewon, Seoul, and worked with a lot of Koreans over my illustrious career, one thing distresses me to no end when I'm working in Korea: Canadian flags.

They're everywhere. They're sewn onto the backpacks of numerous drunken Canadians staggering in and out of nightclubs. They're being waved by loud Canadians in the bars in Itaewon.

They're on the clothing of Canadians selling marijuana. They're all over the place, kind of like Canadian English teachers with fake diplomas.

Why can't Canadians be more subtle? I like to wear my flowered shirts to represent my days on the beach in southern California and my mustache represents my Jewish heritage.

But when I'm in the City that Sparkles, the only flag I like to see is the one that represents the Land of the Morning Calm. I go to Korea to be in Korea, not Canada.

So to the drunk guys in maple leaf shirts the other night who were talking about how Korean women worship Canadian men, I didn't see any women at your table, so get over yourselves. Try showing a little bit of respect to the Korean people who clothe you and feed you.

In short, Canadians in Korea think they're kings, but there really emperors with no clothes. Maybe they could use a fig leaf, or perhaps a little maple leaf.

Ronald H. Hogg
Inglewood, Calif.
ronald.jeremy@rocketmail.com