Korean Job Discussion Forums

[hexv]

Everywhere I go, I hear and see Koreans eating with their mouths open. The result is a variety of smacking, sloshing and slopping sounds that borders on drowning noises and is impossible to ignore. Most of my colleagues have been and studied abroad, and yet, when they come back to Korea, they fall right back into the race of seeing who can get the most air and edibles into their mouths at the same time.

I've been to many countries and lived in a few, and am totally open to the whole thing of being sensitive and accepting towards other cultures, but this is one of those cases where my Western stomach keeps churning through all the SMACK SMACK SMACK as the Asian mouths refuse to remain closed during another bowl of Kimchi Jjigae...

Is it like this everywhere or just in my gastronomic corner of Dehanminguk?

[seoulsucker]

It's everywhere, and it's one of the few things I haven't been able to get over after being here for over six years.

What's funny is that if you ask people if it is considered impolite here you'll get a resounding "YES." I recently received a copy of SMOE's "Foreigner's Guide to Teaching in Korea" or something like that (actually very helpful and informative for n00bs) and there's a whole chapter on etiquette. Listed among Korean diners' finer qualities is the notion that Koreans eat quietly and slowly.

Say that to the dozen or so commercials on air now that glorify slurping soup, noodles, or anything else people can shovel into their mouths like pigs at a trough.

Hell, there's even a popular brand of ramyeon noodles called "후루루" which literally translates into "whistling/slurping."

[ChilgokBlackHole]

[jonpurdy]

I've picked up the habit thanks to my co-teachers. My K-gf now has to deal with my slurping, ahhhh!ing, and "어, 시원하다.." whenever we eat.

[VanIslander]

you can't take the farm out of the farmers

[pattinsons]

It is a bit unsettling when you are eatting with your co-workers, but if that's your biggest problem you encounter then you are doing great.

[cj1976]

Koreans don't bother me when they eat. It's better than eating with the type people who think putting your elbows on the table is something to be bothered about.
Honestly some white folk need to relax in Korea, otherwise they'll end up having a hear attack.

[seoulsucker]

[egrog1717]

[TheUrbanMyth]

Speaking of eating it would seem the troll is having a nice snack.

[cj1976]