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How would you compare Korean culture to English culture?
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UKsimon



Joined: 01 Nov 2009
Location: Incheon

PostPosted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 8:25 am    Post subject: How would you compare Korean culture to English culture? Reply with quote

I understand that English culture is very diverse, but how would you compare it with Korea?
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PigeonFart



Joined: 27 Apr 2006

PostPosted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 9:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Anglo Saxons in the South of England, and the Vikings in the North of England. The north v south cultural differences still exist today (genes, language, behavior, etc).

The big difference is that England would be more accepting of diversity due to it being a country of individuals. Korea is a country of sheep where there is only one way. No wonder "north Korea" exists !!!!

Englishmen wouldn't fall in line so readily.
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Zilong



Joined: 17 Apr 2010
Location: Broseidon's Lair

PostPosted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 10:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would like to know how mathematics compares to history.
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sesyeux



Joined: 20 Jul 2009
Location: king 'arrys

PostPosted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 10:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

'two world wars and one world cup'
all any korean needs to know - english psyche 101.
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AsiaESLbound



Joined: 07 Jan 2010
Location: Truck Stop Missouri

PostPosted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 3:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

No comparison other than many opposites exist. A Korean will often mean the opposite of what comes out of their mouth due to easily being embarassed while an English person will directly mean what they say. That's just one example.
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Weigookin74



Joined: 26 Oct 2009

PostPosted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 5:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Do yourself a favor during your stay and "don't go there!"
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Moldy Rutabaga



Joined: 01 Jul 2003
Location: Ansan, Korea

PostPosted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 5:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

[edit]

Last edited by Moldy Rutabaga on Wed Jan 01, 2014 5:29 pm; edited 1 time in total
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balzor



Joined: 14 Feb 2009

PostPosted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 6:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I use this for generalizations http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2009/10/29/east-vs-west-yang-liu-infographics/
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eamo



Joined: 08 Mar 2003
Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

PostPosted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 6:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Moldy Rutabaga wrote:
This is something you ponder about on Dave's, and not something you ask Koreans unless you are very close to them. You're not going to like the answer you get.

Here's my grand theory, which I throw out for your edification and amusement:

Japan = England
- Lingering colonial condescension
- Really only sorry that we lost our empire
- Concern with propriety and not showing emotion
- Wonderful architecture and fashion
- Respectable but private perversions flourish

Korea = Ireland
- National martyr complex blaming its problems on others
- Entrenched belief system (Neo-Confucianism, Catholicism) with laudable tenets that have been abused to hold back the country
- Conservative and traditional values, but earthy camaraderie too
- A mythos of loss and sadness that somehow unites people
- Drink, drink, drink!

China = America
- An assumption that it deserves empire
- Everything's gotta be big!
- Energy and enthusiasm to get rich and get ahead. Drill, baby, drill.
- A wide variety of subcultures coexisting
- An openness to engage with the world mixed with ugly nationalism

Just my 2c. If you don't like my theory, take your money back!


mmmm.....a bit hit and miss I'd say.

Japan has wonderful architecture??

The comparisons with Korea and Ireland has been done before........not much really holds up. The Irish and the Koreans are actually pretty far apart in attitude to life and world view. The Korean idea of sacrificing ones younger life for security in later life is not encouraged much in Ireland. Very few Irish parents would be happy with the amount of stress inflicted on young people here for education.

Irish people are typically easy-going and secure in their national identity. We're not constantly comparing ourselves to other nations or worrying about our global profile.
Only the history of conflict and occupation is truly shared by both nations.


For a comparison to Koreans in terms of typical personality, I think only the Chinese and Japanese come close......I wouldn't really compare Koreans to any western people.
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Zilong



Joined: 17 Apr 2010
Location: Broseidon's Lair

PostPosted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 6:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

^
No way, the only people more insecure about America and Americans than the British are the Irish.
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eamo



Joined: 08 Mar 2003
Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

PostPosted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 6:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Zilong wrote:
^
No way, the only people more insecure about America and Americans than the British are the Irish.


In what way are the Irish insecure about America??!!

That's a very strange thing to say.
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Zilong



Joined: 17 Apr 2010
Location: Broseidon's Lair

PostPosted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 6:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote