Korean Job Discussion Forums :: View topic - OHHHH, It's so Delicious!!!!!!

Speak Korean Now!

Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!

Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"

FAQ

Memberlist

Usergroups

Profile

OHHHH, It's so Delicious!!!!!!
Goto page Previous 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Next

Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> General Discussion Forum

View previous topic :: View next topic

Author

Message

Steelrails

Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System

Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2013 7:15 pm Post subject:

I've heard plenty of Koreans boo food. From bad fish guts used in certain dishes to old and stale leaves to dry rice to someone apparently screwing up Shin Ramyun. Again, giving hearty compliments on the taste is often people saying "Thank you for spending 4+ hours preparing all this food while we went for a walk or watched TV" or "Thank you for spending a day's wages and buying us all dinner. Nice choice of restaurant." Without being so straightforward about it as to ruin the atmosphere of dining and friendship and reducing it to a labor calculation. Seriously, of all the things people have gotten upset about, this might have to take the cake. Enthusiastically complimenting your inlaws on the food at a family dinner? Really? Giving your boss or friend a hearty endorsement on their choice of restaurant and its food when they're picking up the tab? Strange?

fermentation

Joined: 22 Jun 2009

Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2013 7:37 pm Post subject:

Even when eating out it is good form to not criticize the food. If you criticize the food at a restaurant, the person who suggested going there gets offended.

schwa

Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Yap

Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2013 8:26 pm Post subject:

Am I right in thinking that ordinary spoken Korean doesnt commonly address degrees of difference between "delicious" & "not delicious"?

joelove

Joined: 12 May 2011

Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2013 8:36 pm Post subject:

The poster who started this thread is right on. Food is delicious. That which meets my psychology is delicious too.

12ax7

Joined: 07 Nov 2009

Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 4:40 am Post subject:

Steelrails wrote:

Of course, if my alternative dinner culture and manners were one where everyone spends 45 minutes standing around deciding where to eat and settling on a least common denominator choice because a vegetarian shows up and demands to go to a place with vegetarian options (or the reverse and the meat crowd wants to go to some place where vegetables are a distant memory) and the broke person doesn't want to spend more than 5000 won and everyone tries to calculate the tab down to the 10 won when dividing it up, I might be less sociable and complimentary at the dinner table.

I exaggerate (most of the NETs in my town aren't like that) and I love vegetarian food, but just pointing out our own dinner manner flaws, lest we get too high and mighty.

Oh, please. You're not exaggerating all that much.

Captain Corea

Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul

Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 3:27 pm Post subject:

Steelrails wrote:

I've heard plenty of Koreans boo food. From bad fish guts used in certain dishes to old and stale leaves to dry rice to someone apparently screwing up Shin Ramyun.

Again, giving hearty compliments on the taste is often people saying "Thank you for spending 4+ hours preparing all this food while we went for a walk or watched TV" or "Thank you for spending a day's wages and buying us all dinner. Nice choice of restaurant." Without being so straightforward about it as to ruin the atmosphere of dining and friendship and reducing it to a labor calculation.

Seriously, of all the things people have gotten upset about, this might have to take the cake. Enthusiastically complimenting your inlaws on the food at a family dinner? Really? Giving your boss or friend a hearty endorsement on their choice of restaurant and its food when they're picking up the tab? Strange?

Are people UPSET about it? Did someone say that they were emotionally bothered by it? Because from what I can see in this thread, most seem to simply be noting it, and discussing it.

Also, I've noted many times, your theory of "showing appreciation to the cook" doesn't work when they are (way) out of ear shot. I've seen ppl here get giddy of tansooyook... and that delivery driver was long gone.

Again, I've talked to a few people on this subject, sometimes just after it happens, and NONE of them talk about giving thanks. They focus on the food. They say their excitement is from the food. So you can say that they are wrong, or that they are lying... but that's what's been said to me on the subject.

As I mentioned earlier, my FIL does this quite a lot. And if asked, he will talk about how he didn't have that many food options when he was young. PLUS, he's just an excitable guy.

Steelrails

Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System

Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 6:02 pm Post subject:

Quote:

I've seen ppl here get giddy of tansooyook... and that delivery driver was long gone.

But the person who paid for it is right next to them.

Quote:

As I mentioned earlier, my FIL does this quite a lot. And if asked, he will talk about how he didn't have that many food options when he was young. PLUS, he's just an excitable guy.

Well I'm sure that's the case in some situations. Just as with us, when we get pizza from our favorite place or make a Border Run or scarf down a crave case or go to some fancy tapas place or order a nice glass of wine or go to a gourmet sushi restaurant etc. that we'll yap on and on in English about the food and how good it is and how great the restaurant is.

I just don't see how Koreans doing this is "strange".

Captain Corea

Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul

Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 8:01 pm Post subject:

Steelrails wrote:

Quote:

I've seen ppl here get giddy of tansooyook... and that delivery driver was long gone.

But the person who paid for it is right next to them.

No. Not always. Quit trying to say that your theory is the only possible one.

Quote:

As I mentioned earlier, my FIL does this quite a lot. And if asked, he will talk about how he didn't have that many food options when he was young. PLUS, he's just an excitable guy.

You're not seeing it, but obviously others are. Can you see that?

I don't go on and on about food at certain places. I don't smack my lips, nor raise my voice in exclamation about it. So yeah, to me (and others like me), this might be considered noteworthy.

Or... are you seriously taking the stand that every culture reacts the exact same way to things?

Obviously this was done for comedy, but it's an example of (at least, perceived) differences amongst certain cultures/sub-cultures.

Steelrails

Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System

Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 8:53 pm Post subject:

Dude, its food served to you by your mother in law at a family dinner that you traveled for.

I can't think of any culture where anything but hearty praise would be the norm.

Quote:

No. Not always. Quit trying to say that your theory is the only possible one.

And the theory that Koreans are just jumping up and down for no reason anytime they see food is the "right" one?

But my theory that people are being polite to the person who paid/cooked the dish is somehow a crackpot theory?

Quote:

You're not seeing it, but obviously others are. Can you see that?

The point is that its only strange because the people look different and speak a different language. But for all the cries of "delicious" You might as well replace it with "Bleep Yeah. White Castle" or "Man I love the ribs here" or "Wow, this turkey is awesome Aunt Grace. And the stuffing- how did you make it?" or whatever that we say. Its the same damn thing.

Do any of those above sentences seem abnormal or unusual for people to say when they get food? No. Then why is it strange when Koreans say that some food is delicious?

Quote:

I don't go on and on about food at certain places. I don't smack my lips, nor raise my voice in exclamation about it. So yeah, to me (and others like me), this might be considered noteworthy.

So you've never gone on about a certain ice cream, or a wine, or a scotch, or the burgers at Izzy's, or a cheesesteak at so and so's, Pizza Napoli's, etc. etc.? I know some people don't do that because they really aren't into food, but most people are into food, and most people do go on about food, especially when visiting relatives where someone spends hours making dinner.

Quote:

Obviously this was done for comedy, but it's an example of (at least, perceived) differences amongst certain cultures/sub-cultures.

I'm pretty sure in most cultures its rather important to heartily compliment grandma on the dinner she spent 6 hours making. I'm pretty sure if the boss takes you out to a dinner where the choice of restaurant is a big deal and he's picking up the tab, that you at least make some remarks about the quality of the food and the good choice of restaurant.

I'm pretty sure eating in abject silence and muttering only the most minimal of civilities is pretty ABNORMAL in most cultures.

I'm trying to say that on a global scale, the Koreans are the normal ones here. You do realize that westerners for the most part are abnormally culturally from most peoples of the world, and North Americans especially?

I grew up in a highly diverse city and often went to different friends' homes for dinner, either alone or with my family, and we'd have them over as well. It was common courtesy to compliment the food, ask a few questions, and point some things out. Cooking dinner for someone, which takes hours and lots of money, tends to be seen as kind of a big deal by most folks.

WadRUG'naDoo

Joined: 15 Jun 2010
Location: Shanghai

Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 9:27 pm Post subject:

Rice cakes are not delicious.

Captain Corea

Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul

Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 9:31 pm Post subject:

Steelrails wrote:

Dude, its food served to you by your mother in law at a family dinner that you traveled for.

I can't think of any culture where anything but hearty praise would be the norm.

Quote:

No. Not always. Quit trying to say that your theory is the only possible one.

Man, did I say "crack pot"? no.

But I did say that I've experienced times that your theory cannot hold true. As well, it runs counter to what friends and family members have said on the subject.

Quote:

You're not seeing it, but obviously others are. Can you see that?

Quote:

The people I associate with don't go around saying "Bleep Yeah, White Castle!"

Quote:

Do any of those above sentences seem abnormal or unusual for people to say when they get food? No. Then why is it strange when Koreans say that some food is delicious?

Yeah, they might to me. especially if there's volume and hand motions involved.

Quote:

I don't go on and on about food at certain places. I don't smack my lips, nor raise my voice in exclamation about it. So yeah, to me (and others like me), this might be considered noteworthy.

No. I don't go on about stuff like that, THUS I find it odd when others do. Do you not get that?

Quote:

Obviously this was done for comedy, but it's an example of (at least, perceived) differences amongst certain cultures/sub-cultures.

You can be "pretty sure" on things all ya like - doesn't make 'em always right.

Quote:

I'm pretty sure eating in abject silence and muttering only the most minimal of civilities is pretty ABNORMAL in most cultures.

Funny. Traditionally in my family we were told to eat in silence.

Note - different cultures.

Quote:

I'm trying to say that on a global scale, the Koreans are the normal ones here. You do realize that westerners for the most part are abnormally culturally from most peoples of the world, and North Americans especially?

Ah, here's the key. You're taking sides. Koreans are "normal", Westerners are "not normal".

1. That's total BS, and you know it. There is no global standard here.
2. No need to take sides. You jump on ppl for attacking one side, yet you do the same thing here. Can't people simply observe a difference... and that be it? Why the hell does there have to be taking sides in these types of things?

Quote:

I grew up in a highly diverse city and often went to different friends' homes for dinner, either alone or with my family, and we'd have them over as well. It was common courtesy to compliment the food, ask a few questions, and point some things out. Cooking dinner for someone, which takes hours and lots of money, tends to be seen as kind of a big deal by most folks.

I grew up in a diverse area too. So WTF is your point? You know what that taught me? That each family and culture sometimes had their own way of doing things. I go over to my Jamaican friend's home, there be a bit of rukkas going on. While at my Vietnamese friend's home, it was often MUCH quieter. In fact, his family barely spoke.

So again, there's cultural differences at play. No need to take sides. No need to put words like "crack pot" into my mouth. But I think there is possibly "need" for you to realize that YOUR way, is not the only way.

transmogrifier

Joined: 02 Jan 2012
Location: Seoul, South Korea

Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 11:08 pm Post subject:

WadRUG'naDoo wrote:

Rice cakes are not delicious.

I like rice cake with red bean, sesame or brown sugar/cinnamon in the middle, but don't eat them much as they are pretty unhealthy I assume. Other rice cake I can take or leave, but will eat it to be polite.

young_clinton

Joined: 09 Sep 2009

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 2:47 am Post subject:

transmogrifier wrote:

WadRUG'naDoo wrote:

Rice cakes are not delicious.

The evidence is growing that eating lots of sugar is really unhealthy. I still don't know though........

Steelrails

Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 5:58 am Post subject:

Quote:

But I did say that I've experienced times that your theory cannot hold true. As well, it runs counter to what friends and family members have said on the subject.

So you're saying Koreans don't say "delicious" as another way of expressing thanks to the cook for the time and effort they took to prepare someone or to express their thanks for someone buying a bunch of food for everyone?

Sometimes its inane babel, sometimes its delicious food. Sometimes its being polite and saying thank you.

Quote:

Yeah, they might to me. especially if there's volume and hand motions involved.

Saying "Those were some damn good ribs" is weird?

Quote:

No. I don't go on about stuff like that, THUS I find it odd when others do. Do you not get that?

Really? It's strange when people enjoy food?

Quote:

You can be "pretty sure" on things all ya like - doesn't make 'em always right.

Pretty sure I'm right when it comes to telling grandma her cornbread was delicious.

Quote:

Funny. Traditionally in my family we were told to eat in silence.

Note - different cultures.

No, that's just one family. Are Canadian restaurants temples of silence? If so, then its cultural. If not, then that's your own family.

Quote:

Ah, here's the key. You're taking sides. Koreans are "normal", Westerners are "not normal".

No, you're not getting what I'm saying. There is a tendency for us from Western countries, and North America (and other people around the world do it too) in particular, to regard the rest of the world as "different" or "strange", when in fact we are the greatest cultural outliers.

http://www.psmag.com/magazines/pacific-standard-cover-story/joe-henrich-weird-ultimatum-game-shaking-up-psychology-economics-53135/

This kinda explains it in a nutshell.

I just have to ask- What culture is it normal to dine in silence? What culture is it normal not to compliment someone's cooking or declare the food delicious? What country can I go to and walk into a restaurant and be greeted with silence?

J Rock

Joined: 17 Jan 2009
Location: The center of the Earth, Suji

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 6:51 am Post subject:

Steelrails wrote:

Quote:

But I did say that I've experienced times that your theory cannot hold true. As well, it runs counter to what friends and family members have said on the subject.

Quote:

Yeah, they might to me. especially if there's volume and hand motions involved.

Saying "Those were some damn good ribs" is weird?

Quote:

No. I don't go on about stuff like that, THUS I find it odd when others do. Do you not get that?

Really? It's strange when people enjoy food?

Quote:

You can be "pretty sure" on things all ya like - doesn't make 'em always right.

Pretty sure I'm right when it comes to telling grandma her cornbread was delicious.

Quote:

Funny. Traditionally in my family we were told to eat in silence.

Note - different cultures.

No, that's just one family. Are Canadian restaurants temples of silence? If so, then its cultural. If not, then that's your own family.

Quote:

Ah, here's the key. You're taking sides. Koreans are "normal", Westerners are "not normal".

You are going so off track on this one trying to prove your point that you're just repeating yourself over and over. Yes of course Koreans and other nationalities express thanks to some cooks by saying," thanks dinner was great, " which is what I said to my in laws when they cooked dinner for us. I did not however throw my arms around, squeal like a pig, and have food shooting out of my mouth to show my gratitude.

I have said before "wow, those were really good ribs," when my dad BBQ's but I dont jump around screaming it.

I personally dont know any cultures that dine in silence but I also dont know any other cultures that are so darn vocal and animated while eating which was my whole point in posting this topic.

You're trying to take this topic and put your own spin on it and then rationalizing that idea. Let's reign this one back in and not go side ways with your apologist theories. Do you even have a Korean wife? Do you have any first hand experience other than what you've seen on TV?

Display posts from previous:

	Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> General Discussion Forum	All times are GMT - 8 Hours Goto page Previous 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Next
Page 8 of 10

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

TEFL International Supports Dave's ESL Cafe