Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Wrench]

Ok so one of my kids wrote a story for a festival and she claimed that Koreans are afraid of cats.

Is this true and if so Why?

[laogaiguk]

[RACETRAITOR]

Probably you just have to look at the selection of stray cats that represent the species to most Koreans. Most of these cats are afraid of humans and are in no way cute.

Some Koreans don't like cats. Probably even a majority. But not all. I don't understand why dogs are more popular here than cats; cats definitely suit the Korean lifestyle a lot better because they don't need much caring-for.

My girlfriend and I are adopting this cat soon.

[laogaiguk]

[nautilus]

Koreans are afraid of cats- as well as just about every other living creature. Insects, dogs, birds, you name it. A sort of patholigical and irrational fear, that results in unnecesarry cruelty and bad attitudes.
I really wish they'd get over it and stop viewing animals as dirty, inferior scary lifeforms.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

A co-worker was over at my place and treated my cat like it was a pet tarantula. I'm thinking of bringing my cat to school during winter break lessons to see the reaction she gets. I can just see my cat freaking out and bolting across the classroom while girls scream and jump on their desks.

[kermo]

Most Koreans I know (there are a handful of exceptions) are leery around cats. They expect them to scratch and hiss, because they're just not used to them. They don't expect cats to be docile or affectionate because of the bad rep they have due to:

a) the stray population
b) Korean "common knowledge"
c) experiences with cats who have been treated inappropriately.

To the poster who wrote about Koreans fearing heaps of animals, I have seen this with my young female co-workers. One girl in my office was freaked out by birds, and the other was terrified of even the sweetest puppies. The third female co-worker actually developed an interest in wildlife on account of me, but was very jumpy around my pet rabbit.

Here's a picture of a puppy one of my coworkers refused to approach:

[RACETRAITOR]

That is a vicious looking dog.

It is of course important to remember the exceptions. I went to a recording studio last weekend, and the Korean who ran the place had this Ewok running around:



While we're on the topic of cats (I have millions of pictures), this guy was rescued from life as a stray in Apgujeong when he was less than a month old, and now he's one of the friendliest cats I've ever met.



And one for the dog lovers. This puppy wandered into my friend's hakwon last summer trying to escape the rain and she immediately adopted her.

[kermo]

I love those ears on the last pup.

[ilovebdt]

[krats1976]

I've asked my friends & students about it. In addition to the above reasons, it seems that since ancient times dogs were considered a lucky sign and cats were unlucky. Subsequently, cats appear in horror stories & movies as evil or dangerous.

[Son Deureo!]

They probably saw these cats before they saw yours.







Seriously, though, a lot of Koreans say that they eyes and the way they howl sound evil. I'd also say that the reason that cats are so unfriendly here is that most of them probably have never been fed or otherwise treated with kindness by the locals. It's a shame, because there are so many cats here that could really use some love.

In Thailand I saw the exact opposite. There were stray cats everywhere, but they were used to people and begged for food constantly. The contrast was really startling.

[RACETRAITOR]

Christ, if they see your profile picture, maybe they'll start hating apes too.

Cats are also friendlier in Japan.

[mithridates]

[Son Deureo!]