Korea Is Superior. However Be Prepared To Get The Cultural Shocks Although
Once I landed in Korea, I instantly fell in love as a result of there was free WiFi nearly in all places. Let’s discuss apart from web. Public transport is great. English is spoken in a lot of the main locations. However there’s one factor that I simply could not slot in, and that is the tradition.
At first, I actually did not knew something in regards to the Korean tradition. A buddy of mine had at all times mentioned that except somebody who lives in Korea, or except you will have accomplished intensive analysis (from trusted sources after all) in regards to the Korean tradition, you haven’t any probability of understanding what to do subsequent.
And now that I’m bodily away from Korea, it’s time to be utterly sincere in regards to the life expertise in Korea. Contemplate this as a soapbox, however a really blunt one. Most individuals will solely discuss in regards to the good experiences in South Korea, however earlier than you land your self there, just remember to know in regards to the dangerous experiences too as a result of these are the issues which are usually unsaid. Let’s first begin with the great ones.
Charging Your Phone Anyplace
To be sincere, that is the second neatest thing that I like about Korea (after free WiFi). You’ll be able to actually simply hand over your phone to an individual in a comfort retailer, and they’re going to cost it for you.
When my buddy handed over, I used to be actually asking him whether or not they’ll simply steal and run away or not. However when the other occurred, it made me really feel like Korea is method forward of any nation on this planet on the subject of trusting different individuals. Any such technological orientation simply shocked me as a result of I’ve by no means seen something prefer it earlier than.
Simply hand over your phone to an individual within the comfort retailer, they usually’ll guarantee that your phone charged and also you’re able to go.
However That Makes Your Stroll Into Every little thing
By all the pieces, I meant actually that. When that stage of technological orientation helps develop Korea, there are these people on the opposite aspect who’re simply face planting into all the pieces whereas strolling. I actually saw a man being face-glassed right into a glass wall as a result of he was so engrossed in his phone. After which the anticipated laughter of his pals, and mine too occurred.
That is one thing that you’ll barely discover anyplace on this planet. I imply there certainly are individuals who would sometimes stroll into somethings, however in Korea, you’ll understand that just about everyone seems to be having this concern.
It Will Be Actually Onerous For You To Discover Gangnam Type
Throughout my entire journey, if I can bear in mind appropriately, I heard “Gangnam Type” as soon as, and that too was a ringtone. It was fairly surprising for me as a result of it was probably the most greatest hit songs on this planet a couple of yr in the past, and it’s utterly absent right here within the mom nation of it.
However the subsequent factor was a shocker. PSY is the one who endorses nearly all the pieces there. Whether or not these are socks or your cell phone covers. Nearly all the pieces may be discovered endorsed by PSY. Possibly it’s as a result of individuals like him as an individual and never his songs, simply perhaps.
Koreans Ask A Lot Of Questions. Personal Questions
This got here as a cultural shocker to me as a result of I’ve a behavior of smiling at everybody and greeting them with an occasional Hello. I did the identical factor in Korea, however quickly I used to be in a state of affairs the place individuals wished to know many personal issues about me. I did managed to make by way of that awkward state of affairs, however this is what I discovered later that night.
Once you say hello to a Korean and smile at them, they take into account it as if you are fascinated by them. And that is the explanation why they begin asking personal inquiries to you, comparable to your age, whether or not you will have a faith, or you will have a boy buddy or a girl buddy. And this can be a widespread factor there. They ask these inquiries to know you higher and changing into a buddy.
Koreans particularly care extra about your age. It’s of their tradition to take care of a wholesome relationship between the old and the younger ones. So in the event that they discover that you’re older than them, they’ll deal with you with utmost respect. And that is the explanation why “how old are you?” is the primary query that they have an inclination to ask.
Matching Outfits
Falling in love is a superb factor there (nope, I did not fell in love, besides with the nation). Koreans consider that when you’ve been relationship one another for straight 100 days, then it’s a large milestone. And that is when {couples} begin sporting an identical outfits. However that is not simply sporting polo’s and denims. From caps to footwear (if potential), they put on all the pieces an identical.
Someday I misunderstood one couple as sporting a uniform at a espresso retailer, nevertheless it was fortunate for me that I noticed it earlier than asking them one thing about it.
Koreans Eat In The Similar Dish
As awkward as it might sound, however that is the reality. Each nation that I’ve traveled to in my life, I’ve by no means seen something like this in any tradition, besides in some Muslim cultures.
Koreans don’t eat in particular person plates. They consider that by doing this, they don’t seem to be simply sharing their meal collectively, they’re additionally sharing their minds. Although it’s type of a wierd factor, nevertheless it does makes us be ok with their tradition. However when you actually do suppose which you can’t eat in the identical dish with others, you may merely ask for an additional dish. They’ll fortunately serve you.
Furthermore, the western-style consuming has been spreading quickly into the Korean tradition. To allow them to perceive that consuming in the identical dish may give some individuals a adverse impression as different Koreans. So, when you get caught in such state of affairs, simply ask for a separate dish.
However when you do not thoughts consuming collectively, then I’ll extremely suggest you doing so as a result of that may allow you to expertise the Korean tradition from the within, and never simply from the webpages or the books that you simply learn 강남풀.
They Use Rest room Paper For Every little thing
Sure, that is true. You will see that bathroom paper in all places, on the tables, in the lounge, on the eating table. This got here to me as a shocker when considered one of my new Korean pals provided me to wipe my fingers with the bathroom paper after having a meal. I did used that at the moment to make sure that no awkward conditions happen.
Keep in mind, do not determine about what’s soiled and what’s not. It’s as a result of each tradition on this planet has completely different ideas about what’s clean or soiled and what’s not. Simply just remember to have an open thoughts whereas touring as a result of you’ll positively discover some large cultural variations additional time.
You Are A Foreigner. And You are Odd
Korean individuals are one of many nicest individuals on this planet on the subject of making pals. However the first reception that you simply get from them, is sort of odd. And except you select to dwell in a well-liked neighborhood comparable to Seoul, you’ll be type of a novelty for most people. You may be pointed at, and stared at. Folks even whisper of their ears that you’re a foreigner, and a few may simply straight up level at you and shout “Foreigner!”.
And if you’re shopping in a mall, the salespeople will argue with one another over who ought to assist you to since you may pressure them to talk English to know them. Additionally, the salespeople is not going to help you attempt the clothes as a result of they get nervous that your huge foreigner body may stretch them. Whereas touring in a practice or bus, individuals will not sit apart from you since you are completely different. Whereas consuming in eating places, you’ll routinely be served a fork as an alternative of chopsticks.
However one factor it’s best to at all times bear in mind, is that Korea is a rustic that has largely been remoted for a lot of its existence. Korea doesn’t have a number of vacationers as in comparison with Asia or Europe. So seeing a foreigner, continues to be not a standard factor there for a mean Korean residing in a small city. You’ll certainly discover many issues that appear racist to you, or perhaps extraordinarily impolite at some occasions. Simply just remember to stay well mannered, and select to comply with the Korean social customs to make your journey a memorable one in a great way.
The Societal Norms Are Utterly Totally different Than The West
First off, I’d say that sexism is nicely alive in Korea. However if you’re a girl, you’ll frequently really feel disrespected. And that too for not any explicit motive, only for being a girl. I discovered one college principal telling considered one of his lecturers that she was actually lovely. Whereas that is an important factor, I can assure that she had positively felt uncomfortable in that state of affairs. If she was within the US, she may merely report him to the human sources.
The dressing type of girls in Korea is totally completely different. It’s inappropriate for them to point out cleavage, naked again, and shoulders. Nevertheless although, mini skirts and shorts are all thought of acceptable, even for lecturers. I discovered that the majority elementary college lecturers wore minis to work, which is totally reverse to what we see within the US.
Men on the opposite aspect, have a elaborate gown code right here. Nearly each men in Korea wears a swimsuit regularly. Even college lecturers put on them, which type of appears impractical to me as a result of I discovered their suites to be smudged with chalk.
However total I’d say that residing in Korea is sort of simple. Whereas this may be stunning for you, however that is true. And being a trainer is a big plus there as a result of all of your hire is paid, your meals is affordable, public transit is affordable and heavy ingesting is widespread amongst lecturers. These items cut back nearly 90% of your duties. I’ve discovered many individuals say that as a result of these duties are taken from our shoulders, it feels as if they enter again into their school get together tradition. And when you prefer to get together (who does not) then it’s extremely seemingly that you’re going to get sucked into one.