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To Each Their Own

This article is by Joseph Taft

He is one of my cousin and living in Suji

“We have become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.” -Jimmy Cater-

To say one culture or custom is better than the other; is to shut your mind to new experiences. Growing up in a military family has given me the chance to experience many different cultures and customs, and everywhere I’ve been has had something to offer me in its own special way. I have been living in Korea, my mother’s homeland for over 4 years now, teaching and learning what this country has to offer and it’s amazing!

First and foremost, your family name has great importance; it dictates how you carry yourself. In Korea if you make a mistake, it’s not only your fault but your family’s as well. It is believed that your family should have raised you better, and your shame is carried over. However, in Western culture, you are held accountable for yourself. Your actions do not reflect how you were raised but instead the choices you made.

Second, your age has great significance. Age is not just a number here, but a sign of status. It not only determines the way you are able to talk to someone, but the way your are allowed to act around them. There are several different levels of formality in Korea, and to talk to someone older or younger than you in a wrong way can not only be embarrassing but is considered very rude. An older person is supposed to take care of a younger one whether it is by treating them to a meal or helping them with their work, and the younger person is supposed to listen to the older without complaint or refusal. We as Westerners believe that age is just a number and we should be treated as equals, more or less.

Then, it’s your friends. Like I said before, age is very important here; it also determines who you can be friends with. You can not be friends with people older or younger than you, if you are Korean. They refer to you as older brother or older sister, younger brother or younger sister. In Western culture, your friends are the people you want to spend time with, whether hanging out or going out.

Finally, it’s how they eat. You may remember growing up and hearing no elbows on the table and chew with your mouth closed. However, in Korea, food is meant to be enjoyed. Fifty-nine years ago, Korea was a war torn country and food was scarce. There was no need to be proper while eating; you just ate what you could when you could. That carried over into modern time. It’s not considered being uncivilized, Koreans just want to eat. You may hear 많이먹어 (m-on-he-m-uh-go), which in direct translation means eat a lot.

So whether you are here for a little while or plan to stay, you should try learning the culture and the language. Not only will it help you to get around the country and order food, but it also might help you meet new friends and family for life. As Nelson Mandela once said, “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, it goes to his head. If you talk to a man in his own language, it goes to his heart.”

Written by jinyoungkim

April 10, 2009 at 10:13 am

Posted in stories