Korean Job Discussion Forums

[chaz47]

I hope I'm using Sinocentrism correctly. I was wondering about all the baffling and irritating things here in Korea that get to me. It seems a good number of them also exist in China and Japan. I know some of it is cultural baggage held over from the Tang Dynasty, but how much and how widespread is it?

Off the top of my head I'd like to say that education is totally based upon the Chinese method of testing for civil servant exams. Teaching to the test solely is a huge problem in all three countries.

How about some other things? How about some other countries?

I've heard that "face" exists throughout Asia.

What about the Japanese concept of honor, seems missing from Korea and China or am I just missing it because of the West's obsession with Japan. It seems as if most Westerners, myself included, tend to form opinions on Asia based upon what they thought about Japan early in life. Then when they get to Korea they are sorely disappointed.

Any thoughts?

[Rae]

Looking into historical changes in the specific countries though government decisions, I feel provides a more complete picture (although without cultural cues, it is not a whole).

China in it's golden era believed they were the center of the universe. Although all countries previously ruled by China was influenced by this mentality (reinforced by religion) the prevailing legacy is of Chinese influence, not rule. The tributary system under the Ming Dynasty which classified the Asian "barbarians" was in that time, an honor. Though as any foreign state that governs outsiders, there was defiance. So although China was indeed a glorious empire, and has left it's legacy imprinted upon the world, individual countries outside of it have their own prevailing culture.

Japan is a ideal point in fact of conformity and humility. Realizing they needed changes to become a world leader, they went against all tradition and abolished their customs to be more Western. Not only did they model their government after the western system, but they hired Westerners to help build it. This is highly significant because it is an admission that they are not the best and Westerners, of all people have a better system.

It is that mentality that differs from other parts of Asia where their pride is more important than fact. Japan is merited for their acceptance of change towards western ideals as the reason for their recent prosperity. Whereas China is still stuck in their antiquated views of the world, living in the shadows of their previous grandeur.

I personally side with the argument that China, with its much larger land mass, is harder to unify. IMO, in our present day state, Sinocentrism still lives and effects all Asian countries but the lack of unification is the biggest drawback - not just the attitude.

[Rae]

When I was in France, their attitude was very similar. It is stubborn pride.

[Yaya]

[RACETRAITOR]

Did anyone really think Koreans were more arrogant than Japanese or Chinese? Japan was so arrogant it invaded its neighbours and occupied Korea for almost half a century. China, don't get me started. They still think they're the center of the universe. One of my friends who spent a few years in Chinese elementary school told me his teacher taught that the Wright Brothers were Chinese and that their historic first flight happened in China.

The difference is that hype about China and Japan is largely shared by westerners as well. I think you're onto something that people expect all of Asia to be equally exotic to Japan. That whole honour thing seems more like a white thing than anything else.