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Korean Status is everything
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tall_dave



Joined: 02 Nov 2009
Location: Songtan, S. Korea

PostPosted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 5:25 pm    Post subject: Korean Status is everything Reply with quote

Of all countries I have been to, I have noticed the Koreans like to demonstrate their status more than any other through their ownership of extravagant goods. Cell phones are a good example of this; a Korean will pay 800,000 won for one to shoe their high status, and then barely have enough to eat. This thread is to discuss some of the extravagant means you have seen people go through to show their high status.
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Cerberus



Joined: 29 Oct 2009

PostPosted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 5:26 pm    Post subject: Re: Korean Status is everything Reply with quote

tall_dave wrote:
Of all countries I have been to, I have noticed the Koreans like to demonstrate their status more than any other through their ownership of extravagant goods. Cell phones are a good example of this; a Korean will pay 800,000 won for one to shoe their high status, and then barely have enough to eat. This thread is to discuss some of the extravagant means you have seen people go through to show their high status.


true, but not unique to Korea.
not even that unique to majority of idiots stateside.
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redaxe



Joined: 01 Dec 2008

PostPosted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 5:51 pm    Post subject: Re: Korean Status is everything Reply with quote

tall_dave wrote:
This thread is to discuss some of the extravagant means you have seen people go through to show their high status.


Sending their kids to English hagwons
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SHANE02



Joined: 04 Jun 2003

PostPosted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 6:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Seoul = conspicuous consumption
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jiberish



Joined: 17 Jul 2006
Location: The Carribean Bay Wrestler

PostPosted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 6:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The sky is blue...True story
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Bailsibub



Joined: 22 Dec 2006

PostPosted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 6:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Being a snob is expensive.
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Stalin84



Joined: 30 Dec 2009
Location: Haebangchon, Seoul

PostPosted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 7:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I live on a newly developed street of identical villas. My apartment is on the top floor and one of the largest in the building. The cost of the apartment isn't that high but is comparatively for the rest of my street. Most people who live here are entry level Samsung employees who want to be close to the factory. Their salary is probably comparable to mine.

I haven't even considered buying a car here and if I did, I'd buy a POS junker, second hand. Yet everyone else on my street owns a brand new SM-5 or some such thing. If I were to do the that, the monthly lease payments would probably eat more than half my salary. If they drove a POS junker to work like I gladly would, they might get turned down for promotions or they wouldn't be as accepted in their peer group.

This isn't anything new nor is it limited to Korea. It's just the way it is.
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rickpidero



Joined: 03 Sep 2009

PostPosted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 7:48 pm    Post subject: really? Reply with quote

I'm an American, we are way worse.
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aishiii



Joined: 24 Apr 2009

PostPosted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 7:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've always found it ridiculous how so many people who live in the worst dives own BMWs. I guess back home, your house is your biggest status symbol, but here it isn't as big of a priority because no one sees it. Your car, cell phone, etc... seem to be important but your home isn't.
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djsmnc



Joined: 20 Jan 2003
Location: Dave's ESL Cafe

PostPosted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 8:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

aishiii wrote:
I've always found it ridiculous how so many people who live in the worst dives own BMWs. I guess back home, your house is your biggest status symbol, but here it isn't as big of a priority because no one sees it. Your car, cell phone, etc... seem to be important but your home isn't.


That's the middle class way of showing off back in the US. For the working class it's a flashy car with rims or one of those Dukes of Hazzard cars with the engine block sticking out.
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Hightop



Joined: 11 Jun 2003

PostPosted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 8:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

aishiii wrote:
I guess back home, your house is your biggest status symbol, but here it isn't as big of a priority because no one sees it. Your car, cell phone, etc... seem to be important but your home isn't.


This.
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CapnSamwise



Joined: 11 Jan 2010

PostPosted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 8:34 pm    Post subject: Re: really? Reply with quote

rickpidero wrote:
I'm an American, we are way worse.


Quoting for emphasis, we are the best at being terrible.
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tall_dave



Joined: 02 Nov 2009
Location: Songtan, S. Korea

PostPosted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 10:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

aishiii wrote:
I've always found it ridiculous how so many people who live in the worst dives own BMWs. I guess back home, your house is your biggest status symbol, but here it isn't as big of a priority because no one sees it. Your car, cell phone, etc... seem to be important but your home isn't.

Because that stuff is put on display for the public.. makes perfect sense. Now, I have to go out and buy a tux so I can wear it to work; along with my new Nolex watch. (Looks just like the real thing)
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yingwenlaoshi



Joined: 12 Feb 2007
Location: ... location, location!

PostPosted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 10:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hightop wrote:
aishiii wrote:
I guess back home, your house is your biggest status symbol, but here it isn't as big of a priority because no one sees it. Your car, cell phone, etc... seem to be important but your home isn't.


This.


South Koreans buying stuff for show makes the economy grow in the short term. Sure, it's foolish and short sighted, but I like to save money and invest and spend money on consumer items like toothpaste, floss and deodrant for the year when vacationing out of Korea.
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pkang0202



Joined: 09 Mar 2007

PostPosted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 10:20 pm    Post subject: Re: Korean Status is everything Reply with quote

tall_dave wrote:
Of all countries I have been to, I have noticed the Koreans like to demonstrate their status more than any other through their ownership of extravagant goods.


Ever heard of a place called Southern California? Beverly Hills? How about Manhattan, New York? Was the term "Yuppie" coined in Korea?
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