Korean Job Discussion Forums

[andrew]

*****

[Son Deureo!]

Y'know, I'm tempted to tell you to just take their word for it about when to wear and not wear your shoes because it really is that big of a deal here.

Then again, this advice seems so obvious that I'm afraid I'm getting suckered into something like Qinella's gum thread.

[kermo]

Walking on certain floors in this culture is taboo-- it's like licking someone's fork and telling them to eat with it. It's just not done, and I don't think you accomplished much except to sour relations with these people.

[bellum99]

In your case I do understand but usually:

Seems obvious to remove shoes when the floor is heated. People actually sit on the floor in this country.

[Zolt]

Any place requiring you to take off your shoes will have a slightly elevated floor and that space in the entrace to take shoes offs and store them. For the way you describe it, this place did not have those, and those, by korean cultural standards, did NOT require you to take them off.

And if it's dirty, socks come before culture. Even a cleanliness obsessed japanese will convene to it - although his reaction will rather be: let's go eat somewhere else. Your colleague clearly does not know that much about the culture she wants respect for.

[andrew]

*****

[VanIslander]

[kat2]

I don't think its the heated floor. I think its the step-up or threshold (sometimes no change in hieght, but a threshold piece across the floor). It sounds like your teacher was a bit out of line. Most places with chairs don't require you to take off your shoes for the chair part of the restaurant.
I respect "korean style" in most things, unless its utterly ridiculous--Like putting your toilet paper in a bin.

This is the kind of thing that ruins your day though. sorry to hear about it

[Young FRANKenstein]

[kermo]

[kermo]

[Young FRANKenstein]

[kermo]

[Qinella]

[Ya-ta Boy]