Korea : A journey of culture—- contd
Posted on May 29, 2008
Filed Under Guest Columnist | 3 Comments
Submitted by Wendy Loh
Korean Culture
When I was new to Korean culture, it was awkward to always being asked about age and marital status or having a boyfriend or not. A friend of mine who is also an exchange student, people always appeared to be shocked by the fact that she is already married yet still studying in Korea. Some other standard questions that people usually ask are: what is your major? How many siblings do you have in your family? Which other countries have you been to? And what are your interests? It is those of straightforward question that sometimes you might feel your privacy intruded. However, after understanding the intention behind, you will realise how empathy and thoughtful Koreans are. For example, I was introduced to numerous bookstores that have a wide range of collections of English books after I told my Korean friend about my reading passion. Also, one of my Korean friends introduced me to Salsa dancing bar after knowing that I love dancing too. It is through those questions that they get hold of a basic understanding of you and will communicate with you more in personally. The host family I have in Korea once told me that Korean guys would prefer to marry a third daughter as they believe a third daughter is usually mild and gentle in their character.
Koreans love singing, dancing, and learning many other talents such as foreign language, musical instruments, and arts. You will be surprised that there are many Koreans who learn French, Spanish, Dutch, Japanese, German, Chinese, etc for years. It is so much observed maybe simply because I am a student in the languages and humanities department. However, English language is still a very important skill that almost all Koreans believe it is indispensable. That is the reason why I manage to meet a good language exchange partner in Korean and English. It is an incredibly practical and useful experience. Since then, I manage to know how to speak in Korean to bargain during shopping, to take a taxi, to order the food I like, to explain the hairstyle I want in a salon and many other daily conversations.
It is necessary to realise Korean society is basically a community. Friendship is an important sphere in their social life in University. After school activities are popular amongst Yonseians. One of the activities that I often hang out with friends is to go to DVD room to watch Korean movies. We were told umpteen times that DVD room is a place for couples; however, it is a fresh concept that not having to go to a cinema or theatre for movie. We can laugh and talk and eat as much as we want in the DVD room. Other activities such as sauna room in winter, karaoke and picnic in spring, ice-cream shop in hot summer, board games, shopping and so much more, are all for fun-loving people like us.
As Koreans like to do things together in a group, they are naturally family-oriented people. During the weekend, you get to see many families going to the park or watch movies together. Museums, theme parks, art gallery, or historical sites are the popular sites for family activities, too.
will be contd……
About Wendy
Feminist| Socialite| Reserved | Imperturbable| Goal and plan- oriented| Respectful| Versatile| Straightforward| Hate bickering, drunkards, irrational racist, chauvinist| Having a trait of prima donna and bureaucracy in me, though, i am generally a earth-toned person. |
wendykdu@hotmail.com
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