I'm a Korean and I Grew Up in Korea

The speaker met someone at a conference who later became their mentor./nThe speaker made a comment about the person looking tired, but it was misinterpreted./nThe speaker's intention was to connect and empathize with the person, not criticize their appearance./nThe speaker had a heart-to-heart chat with a colleague who also had a similar background./nBoth the speaker and their colleague were married to white Americans and taught at American universities./nThe speaker and their colleague embraced American culture and traditions.