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Sody
Joined: 14 May 2006
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 Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 4:35 am Post subject: |
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| jajdude wrote: |
Noonchi, han, and jeong do not exist. It's nonsense. Koreans are proud and nationalistic and quite a few truly believe they are awesome and that their society is great. If ya believe that, then, ya, noonchi, true stuff.
Gimme a frigging break. |
Agreed. |
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Freakstar
Joined: 29 Jun 2007
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| Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 5:01 am Post subject: |
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| Sody wrote: |
| jajdude wrote: |
Noonchi, han, and jeong do not exist. It's nonsense. Koreans are proud and nationalistic and quite a few truly believe they are awesome and that their society is great. If ya believe that, then, ya, noonchi, true stuff.
Gimme a frigging break. |
Agreed. |
Uhm..noonchi, han and jung have nothing to do with Korean pride and nationalism. And they do exist. Just because there isn't an exact dictionary equivalent for these words doesn't mean that the concepts don't exist. Duh. 
In fact, noonchi, han and jung also exist in other cultures. You just have to define them...just like we're doing in this thread with noonchi. |
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rebel_1812
Joined: 17 May 2008
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 5:52 am Post subject: |
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| Freakstar wrote: |
I still think my definition of noonchi was the best. 
But maybe it's better to use examples for those of you who are still having a hard time grasping what noonchi is...
A. You work in a hagwon where people start work at 3:00 p.m. All the other teachers are punctual, yet you're always late to work...whether it's 5 mins. or 15 mins. People will say that your co-workers will give you noonchi or that you have no noonchi.
B. You're having dinner with your wife and her parents. Your father-in-law's cup of water is about to run dry. You immediately refill his cup. Your mother-in-law looks like she wants to order something else from the menu, so you immediatley flag down the waiter. People will say that you have good noonchi.
C. You work in a conservative office environment where women tend to cover up - no short miniskirts even in the summer and no cleavage is the "unspoken" rule - yet you show up for work in a blouse with a plunging neckline. People will say that your co-workers will give you noonchi or that you have no noonchi.
D. You and your boyfriend are out drinking with a group of friends. Your boyfriend is hammered and people are starting to feel uncomfortable because he's getting loud and argumentative, but you continue to drink and allow him to drink. People will say that you have no noonchi - cuz your ass should've hailed a cab and the two of you should've gotten the hell outta there two hours ago.
E. You and your girlfriend are shopping in Dongdaemun and she keeps looking at white miniskirts without voicing that she's in the market for a white miniskirt. You look around and find a white miniskirt that you think would look hot on her...and buy it for her. You have good noonchi. And I'm..er, you're also an awesome boyfriend. |
what about
F: a foreigner walks into a bar and sits down. An old korean man says "Ishh!!" loud enough for the entire bar to hear while rolling his eyes. Does this man have good noonchi or bad noonchi? |
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Leslie Cheswyck
Joined: 31 May 2003
Location: University of Western Chile
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| Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 1:45 pm Post subject: |
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| Freakstar wrote: |
| Sody wrote: |
| jajdude wrote: |
Noonchi, han, and jeong do not exist. It's nonsense. Koreans are proud and nationalistic and quite a few truly believe they are awesome and that their society is great. If ya believe that, then, ya, noonchi, true stuff.
Gimme a frigging break. |
Agreed. |
Uhm..noonchi, han and jung have nothing to do with Korean pride and nationalism. And they do exist. Just because there isn't an exact dictionary equivalent for these words doesn't mean that the concepts don't exist. Duh.
In fact, noonchi, han and jung also exist in other cultures. You just have to define them...just like we're doing in this thread with noonchi. |
OK, I'll have a go here.
Noonchi: Having a clue, not being clueless.
Jung: bonding, "going back some"
Han:  |
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Draz
Joined: 27 Jun 2007
Location: Land of Morning Clam
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| Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 2:49 pm Post subject: |
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| Leslie Cheswyck wrote: |
OK, I'll have a go here.
Noonchi: Having a clue, not being clueless.
Jung: bonding, "going back some"
Han: |
I think Han: freaky levels of nationalism |
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peppermint
Joined: 13 May 2003
Location: traversing the minefields of caddishness.
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| Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 2:53 pm Post subject: |
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| I thought Han was a pity party on a national level? |
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pkang0202
Joined: 09 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 11:05 pm Post subject: |
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| Freakstar wrote: |
I still think my definition of noonchi was the best.
But maybe it's better to use examples for those of you who are still having a hard time grasping what noonchi is...
A. You work in a hagwon where people start work at 3:00 p.m. All the other teachers are punctual, yet you're always late to work...whether it's 5 mins. or 15 mins. People will say that your co-workers will give you noonchi or that you have no noonchi.
B. You're having dinner with your wife and her parents. Your father-in-law's cup of water is about to run dry. You immediately refill his cup. Your mother-in-law looks like she wants to order something else from the menu, so you immediatley flag down the waiter. People will say that you have good noonchi.
C. You work in a conservative office environment where women tend to cover up - no short miniskirts even in the summer and no cleavage is the "unspoken" rule - yet you show up for work in a blouse with a plunging neckline. People will say that your co-workers will give you noonchi or that you have no noonchi.
D. You and your boyfriend are out drinking with a group of friends. Your boyfriend is hammered and people are starting to feel uncomfortable because he's getting loud and argumentative, but you continue to drink and allow him to drink. People will say that you have no noonchi - cuz your ass should've hailed a cab and the two of you should've gotten the hell outta there two hours ago.
E. You and your girlfriend are shopping in Dongdaemun and she keeps looking at white miniskirts without voicing that she's in the market for a white miniskirt. You look around and find a white miniskirt that you think would look hot on her...and buy it for her. You have good noonchi. And I'm..er, you're also an awesome boyfriend. |
Excellent examples.
Noonchi only really applies to people of lower "status". The junior always needs to noonchi the senior.
My friend got pissed off when her younger coworker, who has been working at that company longer, started lecturing her about noonchi and making sure she respect her "senior". |
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Privateer
Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Location: Easy Street.
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 7:40 am Post subject: |
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| pkang0202 wrote: |
| Freakstar wrote: |
I still think my definition of noonchi was the best.
But maybe it's better to use examples for those of you who are still having a hard time grasping what noonchi is...
A. You work in a hagwon where people start work at 3:00 p.m. All the other teachers are punctual, yet you're always late to work...whether it's 5 mins. or 15 mins. People will say that your co-workers will give you noonchi or that you have no noonchi.
B. You're having dinner with your wife and her parents. Your father-in-law's cup of water is about to run dry. You immediately refill his cup. Your mother-in-law looks like she wants to order something else from the menu, so you immediatley flag down the waiter. People will say that you have good noonchi.
C. You work in a conservative office environment where women tend to cover up - no short miniskirts even in the summer and no cleavage is the "unspoken" rule - yet you show up for work in a blouse with a plunging neckline. People will say that your co-workers will give you noonchi or that you have no noonchi.
D. You and your boyfriend are out drinking with a group of friends. Your boyfriend is hammered and people are starting to feel uncomfortable because he's getting loud and argumentative, but you continue to drink and allow him to drink. People will say that you have no noonchi - cuz your ass should've hailed a cab and the two of you should've gotten the hell outta there two hours ago.
E. You and your girlfriend are shopping in Dongdaemun and she keeps looking at white miniskirts without voicing that she's in the market for a white miniskirt. You look around and find a white miniskirt that you think would look hot on her...and buy it for her. You have good noonchi. And I'm..er, you're also an awesome boyfriend. |
Excellent examples.
Noonchi only really applies to people of lower "status". The junior always needs to noonchi the senior.
My friend got pissed off when her younger coworker, who has been working at that company longer, started lecturing her about noonchi and making sure she respect her "senior". |
At first I thought nunchi was simply reading other people's emotions. Judging from this it's more about reading the situation in general, or taking your cue from other people - particularly (of course) those from whom you're supposed to take your cue, your seniors.
Doesn't seem all that complicated. Are there any other nuances the above doesn't cover? |
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Freakstar
Joined: 29 Jun 2007
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 8:13 am Post subject: |
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| Privateer wrote: |
| pkang0202 wrote: |
| Freakstar wrote: |
I still think my definition of noonchi was the best.
But maybe it's better to use examples for those of you who are still having a hard time grasping what noonchi is...
A. You work in a hagwon where people start work at 3:00 p.m. All the other teachers are punctual, yet you're always late to work...whether it's 5 mins. or 15 mins. People will say that your co-workers will give you noonchi or that you have no noonchi.
B. You're having dinner with your wife and her parents. Your father-in-law's cup of water is about to run dry. You immediately refill his cup. Your mother-in-law looks like she wants to order something else from the menu, so you immediatley flag down the waiter. People will say that you have good noonchi.
C. You work in a conservative office environment where women tend to cover up - no short miniskirts even in the summer and no cleavage is the "unspoken" rule - yet you show up for work in a blouse with a plunging neckline. People will say that your co-workers will give you noonchi or that you have no noonchi.
D. You and your boyfriend are out drinking with a group of friends. Your boyfriend is hammered and people are starting to feel uncomfortable because he's getting loud and argumentative, but you continue to drink and allow him to drink. People will say that you have no noonchi - cuz your ass should've hailed a cab and the two of you should've gotten the hell outta there two hours ago.
E. You and your girlfriend are shopping in Dongdaemun and she keeps looking at white miniskirts without voicing that she's in the market for a white miniskirt. You look around and find a white miniskirt that you think would look hot on her...and buy it for her. You have good noonchi. And I'm..er, you're also an awesome boyfriend. |
Excellent examples.
Noonchi only really applies to people of lower "status". The junior always needs to noonchi the senior.
My friend got pissed off when her younger coworker, who has been working at that company longer, started lecturing her about noonchi and making sure she respect her "senior". |
At first I thought nunchi was simply reading other people's emotions. Judging from this it's more about reading the situation in general, or taking your cue from other people - particularly (of course) those from whom you're supposed to take your cue, your seniors.
Doesn't seem all that complicated. Are there any other nuances the above doesn't cover? |
It's actually not that complicated imho. And yeah, you mostly have to tread carefully in a junior-senior situation - cuz contrary to what pkang suggested, noonchi doesn't only apply to people of lower status. It can just as easily apply in a situation between people that are of equal status.
For instance, here's another example: You're out with a group of friends and there's one guy, Joe, that no one particularly likes who's dragging everyone down. The rest of you want to ditch him and go drink at another bar, so you secretly text message each other and plan to meet up at another location and pretend to part ways even though it's only 8:00 on a Friday night. But Joe has no noonchi, so he keeps asking where everyone else is heading off to. |
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pkang0202
Joined: 09 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 6:07 pm Post subject: |
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| Freakstar wrote: |
contrary to what pkang suggested, noonchi doesn't only apply to people of lower status. It can just as easily apply in a situation between people that are of equal status.
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You are right. I forgot that you use noonchi around people who don't know each other well. |
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tigerbluekitty
Joined: 19 Apr 2007
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| Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 12:49 pm Post subject: |
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| Freakstar wrote: |
I still think my definition of noonchi was the best.
But maybe it's better to use examples for those of you who are still having a hard time grasping what noonchi is...
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Basically, Noonchi in more simple terms means regards and consideration.
| Quote: |
A. You work in a hagwon where people start work at 3:00 p.m. All the other teachers are punctual, yet you're always late to work...whether it's 5 mins. or 15 mins. People will say that your co-workers will give you noonchi or that you have no noonchi. |
Regard for start time. You would have no regard for start time.
| Quote: |
B. You're having dinner with your wife and her parents. Your father-in-law's cup of water is about to run dry. You immediately refill his cup. Your mother-in-law looks like she wants to order something else from the menu, so you immediatley flag down the waiter. People will say that you have good noonchi. |
Regard for in-laws. Considerate.
| Quote: |
C. You work in a conservative office environment where women tend to cover up - no short miniskirts even in the summer and no cleavage is the "unspoken" rule - yet you show up for work in a blouse with a plunging neckline. People will say that your co-workers will give you noonchi or that you have no noonchi. |
Regard for dress code. Consideration.
| Quote: |
D. You and your boyfriend are out drinking with a group of friends. Your boyfriend is hammered and people are starting to feel uncomfortable because he's getting loud and argumentative, but you continue to drink and allow him to drink. People will say that you have no noonchi - cuz your ass should've hailed a cab and the two of you should've gotten the hell outta there two hours ago. |
Regard for others (friends). Considerate.
| Quote: |
E. You and your girlfriend are shopping in Dongdaemun and she keeps looking at white miniskirts without voicing that she's in the market for a white miniskirt. You look around and find a white miniskirt that you think would look hot on her...and buy it for her. You have good noonchi. And I'm..er, you're also an awesome boyfriend. |
Regard for girlfriend's shopping agenda. Considerate.
Would you say I have the most accurate translation of noonchi? Westerners, stop trying to grasp the mystical mysterious ways of the Koreans, the answer's been found.
noonchi = regard, consideration |
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Privateer
Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Location: Easy Street.
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| Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 8:34 pm Post subject: |
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It just occurred to me that's there's this mysterious thing we have in English that we take as our guide in the same way Koreans take noonchi - and it's called common sense.
There's a distinct lack of it in many countries. |
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merkurix
Joined: 21 Dec 2006
Location: Not far from the deep end.
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| Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 8:49 pm Post subject: |
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| Freakstar wrote: |
A. You work in a hagwon where people start work at 3:00 p.m. All the other teachers are punctual, yet you're always late to work...whether it's 5 mins. or 15 mins. People will say that your co-workers will give you noonchi or that you have no noonchi. |
The way you define it, it almost sounds like the reputation that can be given, spread around, or not had on a message board like this one. |
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Kiarell
Joined: 29 Mar 2008
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| Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 10:28 pm Post subject: |
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| Privateer wrote: |
It just occurred to me that's there's this mysterious thing we have in English that we take as our guide in the same way Koreans take noonchi - and it's called common sense.
There's a distinct lack of it in many countries. |
If you think "common sense" is not widespread, then you can't really call it "common", can you?
(I'm sorry, that was corny) |
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Freakstar
Joined: 29 Jun 2007
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| Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 10:36 pm Post subject: |
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| Kiarell wrote: |
| Privateer wrote: |
It just occurred to me that's there's this mysterious thing we have in English that we take as our guide in the same way Koreans take noonchi - and it's called common sense.
There's a distinct lack of it in many countries. |
If you think "common sense" is not widespread, then you can't really call it "common", can you?
(I'm sorry, that was corny) |
Ha ha, not as corny as you think...I've heard Koreans say in Korean, "Wow, you really have 센스 (sense)." Or, "He has no 센스." They've taken the "common" out and only use "sense." Maybe cuz they realize that sense isn't so common. |
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