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chotaerang
Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Location: In the gym
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Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 7:36 am Post subject: cultural miscommunication |
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I have to come up with two examples of intercultural mishaps between Koreans and foreigners for an assignment. There was a story that one of Kim Dae Jung's staff members was insulted when Bush began an introduction of the Korean president with 'This man ...' but I haven't been able to locate any background on it. Any other ideas? |
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PigeonFart
Joined: 27 Apr 2006
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Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 8:48 pm Post subject: |
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Koreans (and other asians) are known to LAUGH during times of embarrassment. Some asians tend to feel uncomfortable or embarrassed when speaking to a foreigner (having little experience in doing so, and the obvious language barrier).
I've found many koreans laugh at what i would consider inappropriate times. Yesterday i spoke Korean to a waitress in Outback Steakhouse. My korean is not good but she clearly understood everything i said. I know this because she repeated my order and give me a nod of acknowledgement (as any waitress should do). BUT she also gave a little laugh and giggle everytime i said a korean word. I know she meant no ill will. However, from my western perspective it could be construed that she was laughing because i must be an idiot or a clown. I felt like telling her to be more professional or giving her the Joe Pesci "You think i'm a ******* clown?" |
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Zackback
Joined: 05 Nov 2010 Location: Kyungbuk
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Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 11:09 pm Post subject: |
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Looking right into your eyes and saying "You're fat". |
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rainism
Joined: 13 Apr 2011
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Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 6:38 am Post subject: |
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Zackback wrote: |
Looking right into your eyes and saying "You're fat". |
that's not miscommunication. That's speaking the truth.
You can't blame them for not understanding that in our politically correct culture (which some of us reject) , you're not supposed to value the truth but people's 'feelings'. As alien as Korean culture is to the average Western mindset on a myriad of levels, on this particular matter, it's the Americans who are global aliens.
In Europe and Latin America you will also be told you're fat. It'll be stated matter of factly, rather than as an accusation. Some of the locals are fat too. They're also told the same thing in the same manner. I think it works the same way with Koreans actually. Personally I value such honesty. This way any delusional rationalizations I may be making about my weight (this is something we all do to a certain extent) are quickly blown away.
as they should be. |
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ZIFA
Joined: 23 Feb 2011 Location: Dici che il fiume..Trova la via al mare
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Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 8:31 am Post subject: Re: cultural miscommunication |
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chotaerang wrote: |
I have to come up with two examples of intercultural mishaps between Koreans and foreigners |
There are waay too many to mention. Where to start?
Basically just consider any western thinking or behaviour, think of its opposite, and there you have the eastern/Korean way.
You want 2? OK..
1) Westerners show attention and respect for elders by looking them in the eye as they are talking.
Koreans are the opposite. they show respect by averting their eyes from the older person.
2) Koreans tend to go to events, dinners and outings as a group and leave as one group, with someone paying for everyone.
Westerners will usually go as individuals, pay for themselves, and leave individually as and when they please. |
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NYC_Gal 2.0

Joined: 10 Dec 2010
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Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 1:54 pm Post subject: |
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rainism wrote: |
Zackback wrote: |
Looking right into your eyes and saying "You're fat". |
that's not miscommunication. That's speaking the truth.
You can't blame them for not understanding that in our politically correct culture (which some of us reject) , you're not supposed to value the truth but people's 'feelings'. As alien as Korean culture is to the average Western mindset on a myriad of levels, on this particular matter, it's the Americans who are global aliens.
In Europe and Latin America you will also be told you're fat. It'll be stated matter of factly, rather than as an accusation. Some of the locals are fat too. They're also told the same thing in the same manner. I think it works the same way with Koreans actually. Personally I value such honesty. This way any delusional rationalizations I may be making about my weight (this is something we all do to a certain extent) are quickly blown away.
as they should be. |
Okay, one kind of truth. But then they'll yes you and have blatantly lied, in order to save face. Politeness is relative. |
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rainism
Joined: 13 Apr 2011
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Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 4:01 pm Post subject: |
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NYC_Gal 2.0 wrote: |
rainism wrote: |
Zackback wrote: |
Looking right into your eyes and saying "You're fat". |
that's not miscommunication. That's speaking the truth.
You can't blame them for not understanding that in our politically correct culture (which some of us reject) , you're not supposed to value the truth but people's 'feelings'. As alien as Korean culture is to the average Western mindset on a myriad of levels, on this particular matter, it's the Americans who are global aliens.
In Europe and Latin America you will also be told you're fat. It'll be stated matter of factly, rather than as an accusation. Some of the locals are fat too. They're also told the same thing in the same manner. I think it works the same way with Koreans actually. Personally I value such honesty. This way any delusional rationalizations I may be making about my weight (this is something we all do to a certain extent) are quickly blown away.
as they should be. |
Okay, one kind of truth. But then they'll yes you and have blatantly lied, in order to save face. Politeness is relative. |
touche!
I never claimed Koreans were innately more honest than anyone else.
the overall face concept and the toe dancing around it is a good candidate for cultural misommunication. |
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bluelake

Joined: 01 Dec 2005
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Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 4:48 pm Post subject: |
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If you want an early example, how about the first meeting between representatives of the US and Korea back in 1871? Exactly 140 years ago today (May 24, 1871), the US Asiatic Squadron arrived in the area of Asan Bay. One week later, on May 31, Korean gov't envoys met with Mr. Edward Drew, acting secretary to Frederick Low, the new US minister to China. Mr. Drew spoke and wrote Chinese, so communications were carried out in that language. Mr. Drew informed the envoys that the US wanted to send ships up the Yeomha (Ganghwa Straits) "to take soundings of their waters and to make surveys of the shores". The Koreans were silent, which the US side took to mean they had no objection. In reality, the silence meant they did not agree.
The next day, on June 1, as a US double-ender and steam launches passed the Yongdu fortress, Korean batteries opened fire, to which the US responded. On June 10, US forces landed on Ganghwa Island and attacked fortresses involved in the June 1 firing. The next day, June 11, the main fighting happened and, in the end, three Americans were KIA, while the Koreans lost around 350. The US squadron stayed in Korean waters until July 3, but then took off for China.
So, the misunderstanding of the Koreans' silence was probably the first cultural and diplomatic mistake between Koreans and Americans.
http://www.shinmiyangyo.org |
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NYC_Gal 2.0

Joined: 10 Dec 2010
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Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 4:54 pm Post subject: |
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bluelake wrote: |
If you want an early example, how about the first meeting between representatives of the US and Korea back in 1871? Exactly 140 years ago today (May 24, 1871), the US Asiatic Squadron arrived in the area of Asan Bay. One week later, on May 31, Korean gov't envoys met with Mr. Edward Drew, acting secretary to Frederick Low, the new US minister to China. Mr. Drew spoke and wrote Chinese, so communications were carried out in that language. Mr. Drew informed the envoys that the US wanted to send ships up the Yeomha (Ganghwa Straits) "to take soundings of their waters and to make surveys of the shores". The Koreans were silent, which the US side took to mean they had no objection. In reality, the silence meant they did not agree.
The next day, on June 1, as a US double-ender and steam launches passed the Yongdu fortress, Korean batteries opened fire, to which the US responded. On June 10, US forces landed on Ganghwa Island and attacked fortresses involved in the June 1 firing. The next day, June 11, the main fighting happened and, in the end, three Americans were KIA, while the Koreans lost around 350. The US squadron stayed in Korean waters until July 3, but then took off for China.
So, the misunderstanding of the Koreans' silence was probably the first cultural and diplomatic mistake between Koreans and Americans.
http://www.shinmiyangyo.org |
That's pretty interesting. Thanks for sharing. |
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