Korean Job Discussion Forums

leeroy12 · Joined: 01 Jul 2003

(I'll be careful how I word this one!) Smile

A while ago it was end-of-term, and I was having a drink with my class. I asked Eun-ju how she liked London, as she had been here 3 months. She talked about how, when she first arrived, everything was very "surprising." Fair enough...

One of the things that surprised her was women smoking in public, apparently this only happens in Korea in "areas of ill-repute". (I wouldn't know, personally - perhaps she was exaggerating.)

She said that she was now used to it, and thought nothing strange or "wrong" about women smoking in public. "Cool!" I thought, and I asked her if she would take this new state of mind back to Korea. She replied that when she went back to Korea she would return back to her original opinion of "women+smoking=bad".

Instinctively, I felt that somehow, by changing her opinion of smoking girls in London that she had become more "open-minded". But was that actually the case? If most women who do smoke in Korea are actually "bad girls" - then perhaps equating cigarettes to prostitution isn't closed-mindedness at all. Thus, having a different perception of it in London is not "opening your mind" in any way, rather changing your reaction to something based on your circumstances. This would explain why, when she goes back to Korea, she would go back to her original "prejudice".

If most girls in Korea that smoke in public are prostitutes, then is it "closed-minded" to assume that when you see a girl smoking that she has relaxed morals?

Apologies for the poor quality of this post - I'm in a hurry! Hope you get the idea Smile

Leeroy

toomuchtime · Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2003 1:53 pm Post subject:

How old was this student? If she were over, say, 25, I imagine she might hold this POV. However, tons of women smoke here- usually in bars. Not just prostitutes. If she believes that all women who smoke are 'loose', than she is one naive Korean chica.

leeroy12 · Joined: 01 Jul 2003

Well, she was definitely under 25 - so perhaps was just sheltered. Uh, do women smoke in bars everywhere or is it just Seoul?

On the other hand · Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Location: I walk along the avenue

Zyzyfer · Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2003 3:24 pm Post subject:

On the other hand · Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Location: I walk along the avenue

kimcheeking · Guest

Women are not supposed to smoke in public view. coffee shops and bars are ok. walking on the street or in a park is inappropriate.

that is most likely what she is referring to.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

I'll just add in as others probably have already mentioned. In Korea, if you are a woman and smoking while walking down the street in public.. 9 times out of 10 some old man or old woman will say some pretty nasty and horrible stuff and give them a really hard time for smoking in public.

However, in bars, discos and also sometimes internet cafes (basically when young people are among their peers), girls seem to smoke like a fiend!! They love it. Not all girls, but many. However the student in London in question.. perhaps she is too young to know this yet. But its very very true that outside of bars in particular.. or in the prescense of absolutely anyone of the old generation.. its a big 'no-no'.

Also, just as aside to Leeroy.. smoking doesn't equal prostitution. Totally different. I guess it basically just means she is defying the older generation if she smokes. Something like that.. but definetely has no connection whatsoever with prostitution. (My explanation of 'defying the older generation' isn't accurate either however - as its basically just common practice that girls in bars often smoke).

I wouldn't really say its 'close-minded' or 'open-minded' to smoke in the streets of London and not in the streets of Seoul. Its more like adapting to your environment. For example, I might tell some wild story of the night before to my guy friends in a bar.. but I wouldn't tell the same story to my students in a classroom.

Sarah-in-Korea · Joined: 20 Aug 2003

Maybe it's seen as uncouth for a woman to smoke? I don't know, but I don't smoke anyway so it doesn't affect me. However, one of my Canadian friends lit up in public without knowing the norm and an old ajuma ripped it out of her mouth and stomped it on the ground, yelling of course. Also, the only women I see smoking outside are withered old ladies who nobody would dare tell off. Maybe they're rushing to try and meet their husbands.

Jeez, it's a man's world is all I can say.
But at 1500 won a packet, it won't be for long.

kiwiboy_nz_99 · Joined: 05 Jul 2003 Location: ...Enlightenment...

justaskdan · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Location: Me in Pohang - Oct 20th

Also younger men are not supose to smoke in front of older men in public.

My friend is having a hard time as she will smoke anywhere anytime and she is very sympathetic to Korean culture, just not the no smoking rule. The people giving her the hardest time is her Hagwon. It says no where in her contract that she can not smoke. And her male canadian coworker doesn't get any flack for it.

kiwiboy_nz_99 · Joined: 05 Jul 2003 Location: ...Enlightenment...

Sometimes you've got to take a little heat to be in the vangaurd of positive change. Not that any of us should be smoking anyway. Now where did I put my esse?

Sarah-in-Korea · Joined: 20 Aug 2003

Justaskdan,
I'm mesmerized by your avatar. Do you have a worksheet with the dance steps drawn out so I can practice for my next visit to Geckos?