Korean Job Discussion Forums

[periwinkle]

Please help me try to understand why Koreans have such an aversion to dogs, and animals in general. Obviously this has something to do with Confucian values, and their way of thinking has been passed down from generation to generation, but I have racked my brain, and I can't see how this attitude has come about.

I have told scores of Korean people I have dogs, and I get a wrinkled nose and the comment, "I don't like dogs" 99.9% of the time. Usually the reason is, "Because they're dirty". Well, so are children, but that's on a different level. I'm just getting down to the very basics- bathing, feeding, etc.

Second, I know animals are just not part of the general lifestyle, or family life. Koreans think animals belong outside, but our culture is different because animals are allowed in the house. I wonder how this evolved, as well.

Also, I don't understand why so many people fear dogs (and cats, for that matter). A Skylife tech wouldn't enter my apt. the other day until the dogs were put into the bedroom with the door closed. I told him it was ok, but he was terrified. I have a Shar-Pei (17 kilos or so) that I walk with a leash, and I realize he is a novelty to people, but I have people go to GREAT lengths to give me a wide berth. Common sense dictates that if a dog is on a leash....1. It wouldn't be out in public if it were a ferocious, untamed, snarling Cujo, and 2. IT"S ON A LEASH! Oh- 3. He's sniffing the ground, and never even shows the remotest interest in passersby. I've had schoolgirls run away screaming (although it's very affected. Next time I think I'll say "Hollywood action" to let them know it's irritatingly transparent). I've also seen women , again, ACT afraid in the presence of their boyfriend, who in turn puffs up his chest and smiles reassuringly at his trembling love. (I'm gagging now)

Anyway, please help me understand the cultural significance of Korean's attitudes toward dogs. If I understood it, I can be more tolerant of the bull I get on the street. I'm just frustrated and tired, so please don't lecture me if you think I'm whinining. I just really don't understand where these people are coming from, and how they got there with this attitude.

[Swiss James]

I like dogs, I think they make cute and loyal pets.

However- you can't deny that they sometimes stink (especially when wet) and may poo/pee/vomit on the floor if they're ill/not housetrained.

Imagine how much spit etc. your dog's walking through on a stroll around the park, which he then walks into your house- [I presume you don't take his outside paws off at the threshold]- that's quite a big deal when you sit on the floor to eat, and lie on it to sleep.

As for the fear thing, it's kind of strange, but when you're not used to seeing large animals strolling around, it can be a bit off-putting.

[turtlepi1]

Weird...Most of the Koreans I talk to like dogs and have dogs..(the smaller variety of course)...the larger ones are for the "main course"

Now CATS on the other hand...those dirty creatures are a whole other story...both for Koreans AND for me...

(Actually I don't hate cats, just their litter boxes...is there anything less civilized?)

[peemil]

I saw this little Korean guy with a Rottweiler one day. That was funny.

[canuckistan]

[Rather_Dashing]

[Ryst Helmut]

[itaewonguy]

[Zenpickle]

Last Spring, a friend of mine was talking to me on a street corner while walking his dog. While we were talking, this dirty ajossi came up to the dog and kicked it for no reason.

[uberscheisse]

what i don't get is the 1 1/2 foot leashes that koreans keep their dogs tied up on for hours on end.

especially the malamute next door who is about a year old and desperately needs to play. instead he lies in a pool of his own pee and poo until it's time to go show him off.

[dbee]

I think there may be something in confucian culture as regards dogs. I'm not exactly sure but don't they associate dogs along the lines as we associate pigs .. ie. smelly dirty etc ....

Even though on the other hand, I did hear that pigs are among the most sensitive, intelligent and hygenic of all farm-yard animals.

I'd say too that as mentioned earlier, it might have something to do with the floor. Koreans are insane about keeping the floor spotless (at least my girlfriend is anyway). At least we can take off our shoes, but what can a dog do ?

[T-dot]

Bundang is very dog-friendly. It seems like every third person has a pet.
70% of the people will come and play with my pup (white 6 month old jindo) meanwhile the other 30% are a little scared because of her size.

[Saxiif]

Dog is a nice sweet meat.

[captain kirk]

I'd just chock it up to cultural difference, not being a master in comparative ethnology, or whatever.
Back in Canada (on a break) (and the point is the West has a culture of respecting animals, like Britain), at the mall there's a display of paintings by a 'wildlife artist'. Noble wolves in the snow, looking masterly and regal in their proud, princely, instictiveness. Eagles, perched on fenceposts, 'squinting' into the wind, like flying 'Marlboro men'. And at the greeting card shop, a display of calendars. More wildlife artists, more wild, dignified animals set, in harmony, with purest nature. Nature as it has been for thousands of years. Untouched, in balance.
I was brought up in Canada, subjected to wildlife art. Wild animals are like 'zen', somehow. Conscious other beings, independent, yet in balance with the whole. Who don't pollute, don't talk (spoil the mood), and hoot, howl, and croak, nobly.
In Korea they're yummy, that's it.
Ok. Different culture. Takes all kinds to make a global neighbourhood. Not good or bad, just is. Wild animals are yummy.
Maybe because Korea is an old culture, like China, there isn't the kinship settlers, on land they're about to farm (think Dances with Wolves), feel when they have 'wild neighbours', and no people neighbours. So they don't 'anthromorphise' wild animals (wolf is noble, and so on).
Koreans have lots of people neighbours. Just eat the 'wild animal neighbours'.

[Swiss James]