As I was walking along the autumn foliage path, a woman I'd never met came up to me and said, "Would you like me to take your picture?" You'd be startled and end up gripping your phone tightly. Don't worry. She doesn't mean any harm. ## Why Do They Ask First? For Koreans, enjoying the autumn leaves includes taking photos. But if you come alone or as a pair, a selfie can't capture the whole view. When Korean people see that, they feel concerned. A foreign student once asked me, "Why are you talking to me?" He asked me that once. This is the answer I gave him. "A single photo is a small kindness you offer to a stranger. Today I'll take yours, and next time someone will take mine." ## Stand by the roadside, not under the trees During the foliage season there are so many people that the area under the trees gets blocked up quickly. So a lot of people stand by the roadside and ask, "Just one photo, please!" and then take photos of each other. Asking for just one photo comes from not wanting to keep the people behind you waiting. ## Try this - If you don't need help, smile and say, "It's okay, thank you." Even so, they won't be offended. - If someone asks you, take one horizontal photo and one vertical photo. They like it a lot. - When you ask, say, "Could I trouble you to take one photo?" That's what you say. That one photo taken by a stranger might turn out to be the best picture of your trip. Enjoy the autumn leaves!