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chitownesl
Joined: 02 Feb 2003
Location: Chicago
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 Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 7:13 pm Post subject: Koreans: more or less looks oriented than the West |
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| before i began teaching as an ESL instructor to korean xchange students in chicago, i imagined they were less. but holy toledo, they are worse than us. hence the double eyelid surgeries and constant notification of who is handsome or beautiful. in my visit to korea, i did see a handful of homely korean dudes holding hands with fine korean talent though. |
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Gord
Joined: 25 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 7:20 pm Post subject: Re: Koreans: more or less looks oriented than the West |
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| trevian93 wrote: |
| ...but holy toledo, they are worse than us. hence the double eyelid surgeries |
Is this any different than getting braces for straight teeth when the only reason is cosmetic, which is usually the reason?
| Quote: |
| ... and constant notification of who is handsome or beautiful. |
As discussed before, generally the culture is to say what you see to bring attention to it. So while we all see a hottie and think "damn, she's a hottie", Korean culture generally embraces the actual saying of what we were thinking. |
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weatherman
Joined: 14 Jan 2003
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 7:45 pm Post subject: Re: Koreans: more or less looks oriented than the West |
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| trevian93 wrote: |
| before i began teaching as an ESL instructor to korean xchange students in chicago, i imagined they were less. but holy toledo, they are worse than us. hence the double eyelid surgeries and constant notification of who is handsome or beautiful. in my visit to korea, i did see a handful of homely korean dudes holding hands with fine korean talent though. |
What are saying. Make yourself clear here. I have no clue what your post is trying to get at. |
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chitownesl
Joined: 02 Feb 2003
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 7:47 pm Post subject: Re: Koreans: more or less looks oriented than the West |
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| Gord wrote: |
| trevian93 wrote: |
| ...but holy toledo, they are worse than us. hence the double eyelid surgeries |
Is this any different than getting braces for straight teeth when the only reason is cosmetic, which is usually the reason?
trevian93 wrote:
Sure it's different. braces, for the most part, are used to fix deformed teeth. Double eyelids are not a deformity but a vain attempt to conform to western standards of appearance.
| Quote: |
| ... and constant notification of who is handsome or beautiful. |
As discussed before, generally the culture is to say what you see to bring attention to it. So while we all see a hottie and think "damn, she's a hottie", Korean culture generally embraces the actual saying of what we were thinking. |
trevian93 wrote:
what we think is one thing. but verbalizing does bring more attention to the matter and adds importance to it. feel sorry for the people who are average to below average looking that must hear constant compliments for the physically blessed. seems so invalidating. |
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chitownesl
Joined: 02 Feb 2003
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 7:51 pm Post subject: |
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weatherman,
you must be thinking too hard. i'm made an observation from my own experience about the 'looks culture of korea' and i'm welcoming concurrence or differences of my opinion. |
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Gord
Joined: 25 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 8:56 pm Post subject: Re: Koreans: more or less looks oriented than the West |
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| trevian93 wrote: |
| Sure it's different. braces, for the most part, are used to fix deformed teeth. Double eyelids are not a deformity but a vain attempt to conform to western standards of appearance. |
Your teeth function perfectly well even when the front ones out of alignment. Quite simply, most people who get braces get them for cosmetic reasons, that being but a vain attempt to conform to western standards of appearance.
| Quote: |
| what we think is one thing. but verbalizing does bring more attention to the matter and adds importance to it. feel sorry for the people who are average to below average looking that must hear constant compliments for the physically blessed. seems so invalidating. |
It's not so much to "add importance", but simply just the way the culture works. In western culture, it's a bit of a taboo these days to discuss the attractiveness of people when not in the company of friends. In other places it's not. Plus it's not as though westerners never say "Miss January is hot!". Plus you'll note that the culture tends to result in people saying everything they see of interest ranging from "that car is green" to "the sky is cloudy" unprompted. I believe Lemon described the act as being a walking radar system.
There have been threads before where people have done what you have in saying that people from other places are far below us for whatever reason, then other turn around and raise examples of things us westerners do that other cultures finding barbaric.
You've given examples of what you thought was odd, I've explained that it's simply a culture difference and that's it. Your continuing on to defend your original thoughts are incorrect and suggest that you are try to stand on a "I am better than they are" soapbox. Just accept it and move on wiser. |
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The Lemon
Joined: 11 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 9:13 pm Post subject: Re: Koreans: more or less looks oriented than the West |
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| Gord wrote: |
| I believe Lemon described the act as being a walking radar system. |
"Ongoing status reports", but you're close enough. |
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chitownesl
Joined: 02 Feb 2003
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 9:19 pm Post subject: Re: Koreans: more or less looks oriented than the West |
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Your teeth function perfectly well even when the front ones out of alignment. Quite simply, most people who get braces get them for cosmetic reasons.
trevian93 wrote:
Your comparison of braces to eyelid surgery doesn't hold water.
If one has a lazy eye and could have corrective surgery to fix it, that would not be in vain and is comparable to getting braces and fixing an apparent deformity (regardless of its functionality). Eyelid surgery doesn't address a problem. It's done only to increase attraction or fix some psychological insecurity rather than to avoid a social crippling distraction. Granted, some people get braces when it isn't entirely necessary.
It's not so much to "add importance", but simply just the way the culture works. In western culture, it's a bit of a taboo these days to discuss the attractiveness of people when not in the company of friends. In other places it's not. Plus it's not as though westerners never say "Miss January is hot!". Plus you'll note that the culture tends to result in people saying everything they see of interest ranging from "that car is green" to "the sky is cloudy" unprompted. I believe Lemon described the act as being a walking radar system.
There have been threads before where people have done what you have in saying that people from other places are far below us for whatever reason, then other turn around and raise examples of things us westerners do that other cultures finding barbaric.
You've given examples of what you thought was odd, I've explained that it's simply a culture difference and that's it. Your continuing on to defend your original thoughts are incorrect and suggest that you are try to stand on a "I am better than they are" soapbox. Just accept it and move on wiser.[/quote]
trevian93 wrote:
i argue my point not to be simply a cultural difference. my view is also based on conversations with my own korean students complaining about this unusual trend and the reasons for it. and believe you me mr. pedantic expert of world culture and customs , i can attest to western culture's own shortcomings. |
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TECO
Joined: 20 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 2:53 pm Post subject: |
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most people who get braces get them for cosmetic reasons, that being but a vain attempt to conform to western standards of appearance.
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This statement is false.
I would like to see meathead prove that this is the case.
Meathead is simply promoting false stereotypes based on his own ethnocentric views. |
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Gord
Joined: 25 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 4:31 pm Post subject: |
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| TECO wrote: |
| This statement is false. |
Shush, the statement is true.
http://www.webhealthcentre.com/expertspeak/braces.asp#cosmetic
"Braces are not just cosmetic, although the majority of orthodontic patients seek to enhance aesthetics."
http://www.thedentistsoffice.com/services/ortho/adults.htm
"Most adults get braces for cosmetic reasons."
And so on and so on and so on. There is no shortage of pages talking about braces being primarily for cosmetic reasons.
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I would like to see meathead prove that this is the case.
Meathead is simply promoting false stereotypes based on his own ethnocentric views. |
Will you be forwarding me an apology now for your insults? |
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royjones
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Location: post count: 512
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| Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 6:19 pm Post subject: |
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| Ok I have some imput on this subject. Braces are used cosmetically for one to comform to the norm of the society in which one is a part. Asian people having their eye lids done is totally different. It is based cosmetically on the view that non-asians eyes are somewhat more attractive than asian girls eyes. This is to comform to the views of another population. This has nothing to do with looking like their society or others that look like them. It has to do with vain beauty, based on westerners. Just my opinion |
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ryleeys
Joined: 22 Dec 2003
Location: Columbia, MD
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| Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 6:24 pm Post subject: |
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My teeth were pretty straight as a kid... the problem was I had an overbite that was causing me to grind my teeth when I was asleep and screw up the enamel. So, I got braces... not for cosmetics as my teeth were already good, but for medical reasons.
Teeth not being straight will work, but they do have some problems with sitting correctly with each other.
Of course, I don't care if Koreans get their eyes done. Not my eyes, not my concern. |
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Sarah-in-Korea
Joined: 20 Aug 2003
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| Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 7:01 pm Post subject: |
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| royjones wrote: |
| Ok I have some imput on this subject. Braces are used cosmetically for one to comform to the norm of the society in which one is a part. Asian people having their eye lids done is totally different. It is based cosmetically on the view that non-asians eyes are somewhat more attractive than asian girls eyes. This is to comform to the views of another population. This has nothing to do with looking like their society or others that look like them. It has to do with vain beauty, based on westerners. Just my opinion |
I agree with this. Now to be pedantic I think I might have 4 extra teeth inserted into my top jaw at right angles so that I can fit in better in Asia where explosive teeth are deemed "cute". |
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Real Reality
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 12:52 am Post subject: |
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Braces are one of the things you can do for your kids to insure their health throughout their lifetime. Surveys have indicated that people who have had braces look better and feel better about themselves. They live longer and have a statistically lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
Braces are not only for kids. Presently, 20% of the orthodontic patients are over 18; people as old as 60 have had successful orthodontic treatment.
http://www.bracesinfo.com/whybrac.html
Putting teeth in their proper place helps avert future cavities. Braces may also reduce gum disease. Bacteria does not like oxygen, so treating themisalignment of teeth disrupts bad bacteria's environment, reports researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.
http://www.unc.edu/~btysingr/hicn308.htm
Dr. Ron Markey, a Vancouver orthodontist, says that while some people who come to him are concerned about their appearance, many have conditions that pose dental risks if left unattended -- even though the problems may take several years to develop.
http://www.readersdigest.ca/mag/2001/06/braces.html
Why is orthodontics important?
Orthodontics can boost a person's self-image as the teeth, jaws and lips become properly aligned, but an attractive smile is just one of the benefits. Alleviating or preventing physical health problems is just as important. Without treatment, orthodontic problems may lead to tooth decay, gum disease, bone destruction and chewing and digestive difficulties. A "bad bite" can contribute to speech impairments, tooth loss, chipped teeth and other dental injuries.
http://www.braces.org/about/consider.cfm
Why straighten teeth?
1. Appearance 2. Hygiene 3. Tooth wear 4. Gum damage 5. Jaw joint problems 6. Speech
http://www.aso.org.au/GP_whystaighten.htm |
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Real Reality
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Location: Seoul
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