Those who lived in the States during the 1970s probably remember the highly successful American Express card television ad, featuring Academy Award-winner Karl Malden. On the TV screen, Malden would flash American Express travelers’ checks and say the trademark phrase: “Don’t leave home without them.” 

When the slogan was used to advertise American Express cards later on, it was simply changed to “Don’t leave home without it.” The catchy ad has been parodied a number of times. For example, I remember seeing the cover of a book about the financial crisis that shows a credit card with the warning, “Don’t leave home.” The famous ad campaign used other celebrities such as Jerry Seinfeld, Kate Winslet, Robert De Niro and Tiger Woods.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the American Express card and travelers’ checks were a must for young beatniks who dropped out of college and traveled to Europe in order to revolt against the establishment and explore another world. However, the times have changed now, as there are so many other things besides a credit card or travelers’ checks that you have to carry when you leave home.

When you say to young people, “Don’t leave home without it,” the first thing that may come across their minds must be a smartphone. Indeed, if you leave home without your smartphone, you are as good as dead. You will be completely cut off, unable to do business or continue your social life. You will also be hopelessly disconnected from information and entertainment. As a result, you will feel isolated and restless all day.

If older people hear the slogan, “Don’t leave home without it,” the first thing that may come to their minds is probably their wallet that contains credit cards, a driver’s license and some cash. For some, the essential item may be cigarettes, or perhaps an electronic ID card that enables them to access their office.

Other items you should carry when you leave home may include the keys to your car, office and home, or bus fare and lunch money. Meanwhile, just-married men may think that they cannot leave home without a goodbye kiss from their lovely young wives. And good fathers may agree that they cannot leave home without hugging their beloved children.

At home, we love our family so much that we try to be decent, caring and understanding. Once outside of the home, however, we abruptly become indecent, callous and stubborn, because those we encounter on the streets are not our beloved spouse or children. Indeed, if we behave as gently and thoughtfully as we do at home, many indecent incidents could be prevented.

For example, the former spokesman for the president would never have attempted such indecent behavior in front of his wife or children. So he should never have left home without the decency he maintains inside his house.

Another example is our former president’s indecent, obsequious, and almost servile behavior when he met North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in 2007. Roh should not have left home without the dignity and decency he exhibited in Seoul.

A few days ago, the police caught a senior judge who maliciously vandalized a car in the parking lot; he glued the keyhole and punctured the tire of a car that belonged to his noisy neighbors. He was an honorable judge at work and esteemed father at home, and yet, one step outside, he behaved like a hooligan.

Observing how our politicians fight over political issues, one may wonder, “Would they be just as hostile toward their spouses and children?” The answer is probably “No.” At home, these men are most likely caring fathers and understanding husbands.

Outside of the home, however, they fight to death like belligerent gladiators in the arena. Watching wild demonstrators clash at City Hall Square these days, one cannot but wonder again, “Would these people exhibit the same hatred and violence at home in front of their wives and children?” Once again, the answer is “No.”

Why, then, do we act differently once outside of our homes? Perhaps the reason is that we leave too many good things behind when we leave our house, turning into brutal warriors in the outside world. At home, we love our children no matter their political ideology or skin color. In society, however, we hate our political enemies and discriminate against those with darker skin. Recently, I heard from a Korean-American that in the States, Korean-American workers are treated badly at factories built by Korean corporations, whereas white American workers are treated with esteem.

Home is a microcosm of our society, country and universe. Whenever we are about to do something outside, we should visualize our spouse and children watching us. Then our society will be much better and more decent. At home, we practice decency, dignity, affection and respect. We should practice them out in society as well. So please don’t leave home without them. 

By Kim Seong-kon 

Kim Seong-kon is a professor of English at Seoul National University and president of the Literature Translation Institute of Korea. He can be reached at sukim@snu.ac.kr. ― Ed.