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Don't call it Korean Thanksgiving
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curiousaboutkorea



Joined: 21 Jan 2009

PostPosted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 7:09 am    Post subject: Don't call it Korean Thanksgiving Reply with quote

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/10/117_52817.html

Quote:
The use of the term "Korean Thanksgiving" has been impressed on most foreigners and natives, but there are still many who do now know the full meaning or origins behind the holiday.


This article touches on one of my most recent pet peeves. I don't understand why people can't just call it Chuseok, the holiday's proper name. Are non-Koreans living here thought to be that ignorant? I find it a bit patronizing whenever I hear a Korean spouting off the term "Korean Thanksgiving." Just the other week one of my Korean co-workers was explaining to me about what days we were going to have off, because it was "Korean Thanksgiving." She didn't even mention the name Chuseok, so I was confused for a second, thinking "What the heck is Korean Thanksgiving?" She was shocked when I said, "Oh, you mean Chuseok?"

My next point is that I find that there seems to be all these pre-programmed explanations that seemed to be recited whenever possible. They're usually phrased the same way, in English no less. I'm sure everyone is familiar...
referring to Chuseok-Korean Thanksgiving
referring to Kimchi- One of the healthiest foods in the world
referring to geography- Korea is 70% mountains
referring to ddeok- It is Korean traditional rice cake

I could go on....

Smile
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bluelake



Joined: 01 Dec 2005

PostPosted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 7:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Personally, when talking to people here in Korea, I always say Chuseok. However, when talking with someone who does not know much (or anything) about Korea, I also use the term "Korean Thanksgiving" so that it makes a little cultural sense to that person. Yes, it is an imperfect description of the holiday, but it's generally close enough with people outside of Korea.
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shinramyun



Joined: 31 Jul 2009

PostPosted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 7:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

There was no indians here. That's for sure.
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Jane



Joined: 01 Feb 2003

PostPosted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 7:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It's like on Korean Air, when they are coming around with the meal and they tell me they have "chicken or Korean style spicy rice with assorted vegetables." They are talking about bibimbap.

One day i want to ask a flight attendant if they like 'seasoned ground beef charbroiled patties with assorted vegetables and enrobed in bread." It's called a HAMBURGER!!!
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Bibbitybop



Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 10:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Mongolians came to Korea and gave Koreans turkey, and they Koreans gave Mongolians corn.
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MollyBloom



Joined: 21 Jul 2006
Location: James Joyce's pants

PostPosted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 12:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bibbitybop wrote:
The Mongolians came to Korea and gave Koreans turkey, and they Koreans gave Mongolians corn.



I miss you Bibbitybop!
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sqrlnutz123



Joined: 15 Jun 2009
Location: South Korea

PostPosted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 1:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Is Korean Thanksgiving today or is Korean Thanksgiving tomorrow? Perhaps Korean Thanksgiving was yesterday.
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thoreau



Joined: 21 Jun 2009

PostPosted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 1:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

deleted
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Sleepy in Seoul



Joined: 15 May 2004
Location: Going in ever decreasing circles until I eventually disappear up my own fundament - in NZ

PostPosted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 4:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I never do call it that. Where I come from, the term 'Thanksgiving' has no meaning except as some foreign and mysterious holiday from movies and the TV.
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oskinny1



Joined: 10 Nov 2006
Location: Right behind you!

PostPosted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 4:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

shinramyun wrote:
There was no indians here. That's for sure.


Where do you think indians in the Americas came from?
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bluelake



Joined: 01 Dec 2005

PostPosted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 5:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

shinramyun wrote:
There was no indians here. That's for sure.


I'm here (card carrying member of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians).
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Pikkle



Joined: 17 Jun 2009

PostPosted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 6:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I only call it Korean Thanksgiving when I'm talking to people from home. To anybody here, I call it Chuseok.
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pkang0202



Joined: 09 Mar 2007

PostPosted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 8:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

OP,

A: Happy Chuseok

B: What's Chuseok?

A: Its a Korean holiday like an autumn harvest festival Its a 3 day holiday where people go back home to their families and eat a big meal.

B: You mean like Thanksgiving?

A: ..... exactly.
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Sleepy in Seoul



Joined: 15 May 2004
Location: Going in ever decreasing circles until I eventually disappear up my own fundament - in NZ

PostPosted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 9:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

pkang0202,

A: Happy Chuseok

B: What's Chuseok?

A: Its a Korean holiday like an autumn harvest festival[.] It[']s a 3 day holiday where people go back home to their families and eat a big meal.

B: You mean like Christmas?

A: ..... exactly.
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asams



Joined: 17 Nov 2008

PostPosted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 11:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It is NOT Thanksgiving without American football. So all you Canadians and Koreans calling your harvest festival 'Thanksgiving' can get bent.
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