Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Homer]

Human,

In the larger sense perhaps not. but when you marry someone here that makes thing different. Its not about behaving like them or trying to be like them but about cultural sensitivity.
In my case, my father in law asked me as his son-in-law to participate in the ceremony of his ancestors. I accepted out of respect for him and because I found this to be a good opportunity to learn more about my wife's culture.
The regular bowing, or inclination of the head is just a way to greet each other they use here. I don't think a foreigner doing it is trying to "be korean". Thats an oversimplification.
As for the family and ancestral link, in my case, of course they are not my ancestors but they are my wife's ancestors and that means they are part of my life by extension. My wife feels the same way towards my extended family even if there is no "blood line".
Someone can go too far with this cultural sensitivity of course and that is not good.
but, when you marry someone here, you marry someone with cultural values that are from here, hence you will have to deal with those values and accept some of them.

[KimSuBok]

For those arguing about giving a bow. Don't forget that confucianism teaches an order King above subject. Father before Son. Husband before wife. Elder before younger. These are the rules. A bow is a symbol of submission no matter what you may have perceived it to be.

It is great if in your particular family it feels like something else, but that is the origin. In the past when there was famine you can bet that you might not have received your share of what little food there was if you didn't bow to the right people.

South Korea has softened up in many ways, but one has to look no further than across the DMZ to see how good Koreans are and subordinating themselves to others.

I agree that if you love someone, it is easier to bow to them... but don't forget the historical origins of bowing.

[kiwiboy_nz_99]

Confusianism sucks dogs balls and is the main reason this country is so backwards ... I call it "Confusionism"

[Homer]

That was a very insightfull analysis of confusianism kiwi.
It showed you are an astute student of this ancient philosophy and that you have a very open mind to things that permits you to see all facets of a given question or topic.
I mean this is a gem worthy of Jerry Springer:

"Confusianism sucks dogs balls and is the main reason this country is so backwards"

It captures all aspects of the problem. You are an example of non-judgemental behavior that all bedsheet wearing, cross burning people should look to.
Well done indeed.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[quote="bucheon bum"][quote="TheUrbanMyth"]

[kiwiboy_nz_99]

[bucheon bum]

[quote="TheUrbanMyth"][quote="bucheon bum"]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[quote="bucheon bum
. Why? Because bowing isn't considered (sacra)religous anywhere in the bible.

My point being this: idol worship is CLEARLY forbidden in the bible while there is nothing about bowing. If there was anything at all in the bible that even INFERED that bowing was inappropriate for a believer, THEN the analogy would work.[/quote]

(sigh) If you actually read the Bible, then you would realize that yes, the topic of bowing to human beings (kings) was considered blasphemy. There are several stories dealing with this topic in the Bible. "Bowing the knee to any man" is forbidden. God reserves that for Himself. Read the books of Esther and Daniel as well as Kings. Human beings and idols were creations. To bow before a creation rather than the Creator is blasphemy. That is why you will see many warnings against bowing to idols in the Bible as well as several cases where believers refused to bow before humans as well.

Sorry but you have lost this argument. There are many many parts of the bible that (to use your word) INFER or directly state that bowing, (usually to an idol) but sometimes to a human being, is wrong.

Now you may disagree with that, but you cannot disagree with that as an article of someone's faith. Unless of course you disagree with religion as a whole...but that is a whole new topic.

[bucheon bum]

well had you said that originally (the bible reference) instead of using your analogy, I would have conceeded being wrong much earlier before .

[HardyandTiny]

sometimes I have to go back and look at these old posts....
there are some classic moments



this is hilarious!~
where's trinny!

[Ody]

[coolsage]

While I haven't read every post on this thread, and there are many, I'm still at a loss as to why a western woman would want to hook up with a Korean guy, unless there's some deeply Freudian need for submissiveness. Unless you get both your asses out of Korea, you'll be tied to that family for as long as they live. It's tough enough for a western guy-korean woman match; for the opposite, I wish you well, but that does not bode well.

[just because]

coolsage,
A lot of Korean guys are super cool. I could definantly see why a western girl would hook up with one.

[coolsage]

[Homer]

coolsage...it all depends what your definition of "hip" is doesn't it?