DanseurVertical
Joined: 24 Nov 2010
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Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2012 11:49 am Post subject: "couple" norm? |
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Not long before I moved away from Korea last year I met a girl who spoke some concern about her "date mate". By this she meant a male with whom she goes out but has no physical relation. In the West we might think, "Oh, male & female friendship, and you two go out together? Maybe you'll become lovers..." But no, this is Korea, and she had no interest in being his lover. Why? The main reason seemed to be, she was convinced he wanted to sleep with her. Problem? Yes. If he does, then he will abandon her and seek some other girl.
Now recently, another Korean girl I know divulged that she has a "boyfriend" but is frustrated, because she does not "love" him.
I spent last week around 홍대. Several other visitors to Korea had mentioned the couples they had observed and how lovely and ideal they seemed. I'm usually pretty observant, but after living in Korea in the past, I'd learnt mostly to ignore strangers when in Korea. As my trip was coming to an end I decided to open the eyes and watch for this. They were right, couple, couple, couple, couple ... And I don't mean "couple" like in Taiwan, where it may often mean girl-girl. But simply, male-female.
I know well about the separation of sexes in Korea. But if there is in fact a trend, is there some emerging social pressure in Korea where if you're a guy, be with a girl instead of with other guys? Or if you're a girl, be with a guy instead of other girls?
I don't really like Taiwan and am planning to return to Korea, but at least here, if you want to be alone or with a girl or with a guy in public, it's totally accepted. |
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