Korean Job Discussion Forums

Sody · Joined: 14 May 2006

Very interesting thread, I have never actually met rude Korean eaters. In fact I was quite surprised with how polite most of them are. They are very conscious of the fact that I can use chopsticks and they have even pointed out my mistakes with etiquette regarding how to eat at a Korean table. I guess it depends who you hang out with, there are polite and rude people in all societies. Since Korea is a developing country I would assume you would meet more people who are not well mannered.

Sody

EFLtrainer · Joined: 04 May 2005

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

bellum99 · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: don't need to know

I recommend we start a new "Western tradition". Let's all fart in elevators..when the Koreans looks over at you..just smile and nod. Then let one more go...
I love the fact that Koreans don't sweat and don't need deoderant. Ever smell 20 K-teachers in a small room during the summer..holy hell.

Roch · Joined: 24 Apr 2003 Location: Seoul

oneofthesarahs · Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Location: Sacheon City

sheba · Joined: 16 May 2005 Location: Here there and everywhere!

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

Roch · Joined: 24 Apr 2003 Location: Seoul

alinkorea · Joined: 02 May 2005

Poor table manners, especially loud chomping and eating with ones mouth open, are not part of some Korean traditional eating culture. In Korea, as in the West, it's considered polite not to eat loudly or with ones mouth open. Obviously though in Korea, a differing degree of emphasis is placed upon it.
I'm totally against the West imposing it's standards on the rest of world, be they political, social or economic. But that's not happening in this case. Korea desperately wants to be seen by the rest of the World, as a modern advanced nation. Although only a tiny detail, good table manners are part of the deal.

sheba · Joined: 16 May 2005 Location: Here there and everywhere!

Old fat expat · Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 5:36 pm Post subject:

Had a Korean male friend explain to me that men like to "be tough" when they eat. Eating politely is considered efeminate. He complained to me about my placing noodles onto my spoon before eating as my being weak. I reminded him that 15 years of front row rugby left me with no doubt as to my manlyness and I was preparred to be tested on toughness at any time he choose. He shut-up.

Everything here is a facade. Men are pretenders. Eating rough is a way of saying they are tough. Smoking is a way of saying they are tough. Spitting is a way of saying they are tough. They only pretend to be tough.

Old fat expat · Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 6:14 pm Post subject:

Yeah, figured this question was comming.

I know many girls back home that also want to act 'tough'. Get tatoos, drink excessively, dress like hookers. No-one really wants their wife, daughter, sister to actually be a hooker. None the less many act is if they are.

People tend to select themselves into social groups that give them an identity. Men here select the 'tough' farmer identity-gives them a sense of roots. Women are making the same selection to be with that group. If you act like the group-you are in the group.

I might be out on a limb here, but group identity seems important to Koreans. Shocked

babtangee · Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 7:31 pm Post subject:

I can't believe foreigners are saying that it is a Korean custom to eat slovenly. That's not true at all. Many Koreans would be disgusted at their behaviour just as much as this board. Sadly, being raised without manners ain't uncommon in this country. Bad habits die hard.