Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wormholes101]

Most of us here in Korea at least once had a Korean tell you to "Help yourself" at an inappropriate time. I was getting at at lunch time constantly until I explained that it wasn't the correct time to use that phrase. (Also "Is it delicious? but that is another topic)

As you public elementary school teachers will be aware of the unit "Do you want some more?" is upon us and one of the phrases the students are learning is "Help yourself".

I was thinking about a simple and clear way to explain when this phrase should be used. The confusion arises from the Korean expression "Mani due saeyo" which when literally translated means "Please eat a lot". It seems to be used like the French expression "Bon Appetit".

So about correct useage of "Help yourself": I'm thinking that it generally should be used by the host or owner of the food when food is communal e.g. a picnic or a BBQ. Thus, it shouldn't be used when one has one's own plate or dish -most western style dining- and definitely never by a guest.

Agreed?

However, do you think is it correct to use this if you are the host of a dinner as a signal to start eating? (even though every one has their own plates)

Finally, what expressions, if any, did your family use when eating a sit down meal together as a signal to start eating?

Thanks for your input!

[PEIGUY]

My family just either said "_________ (name) _________(name of the meal)" or just the name of the meal or "_________(name of meal) is ready"

[otopo]

I have been running into problems explaining this exact same thing.

I cannot think of English expressions used during the beginning of a meal either.

Generally in a formal sense, if you are religious you simply pray before your meal and that marks the beginning of it or simply Bon Appetite. But I can't seem to remember any time I have ever said "Have a nice meal" before eating.

Does anyone know of an English equivalent other than Bon Appetite for the Korean, 'char-molk-get-sumnida'?

wormholes: I vote against saying "help yourself" as the host of a meal. To me, that sounds sort of silly maybe even a bit rude in some contexts. It is the equivalent of saying "Dig in" to me. But, I was raised more formally. A picnic/buffet style meal, yes �help yourself.�

[wormholes101]

[heydelores]

This probably isn't helpful for an English lesson, but my family always used the German "Guten Appetit."

[laogaiguk]

I have the same questions, but don't forget "help yourself" can be used to a somewhat close friend or guest (atleast in my opinion) such as:
Help yourself to anything in the fridge.
Help yourself to any snacks I got.
Help yourself to the kitchen.

a: You got any beer?
b: "Ya, in the fridge. Go nuts!" or "Ya, in the fridge, help yourself to whatever is left."

Maybe this is just me.

[wormholes101]

Nah... I think you're right.

The more I think about it, I think that "Help yourself" is simply an expression that we use when we are offering anything to someone else. It seems to be a way of saying "It's OK if you take this."

Eg. I have a big box of pens. My friend wants a pen. I offer him the box and say "Help yourself". This seems to work, right? (We'd probably be pissed off if he took the whole box though!)

[Qinella]

If your coworkers say anything to you at all before you eat, it's going to sound really freakin weird unless they were personally serving it to you. Have you ever been out to eat with some friends when one of them pipes up with "Enjoy!" right before you start eating? Wtf would you say to that? Okay? Thanks? You too?

What your co-teachers need to realize is that language is intrinsically tied to culture. Koreans often say "jal ga". That means "go well", but who is ever gonna say something like that? Usually we wouldn't say anything like that at all to someone who is leaving unless they're going on a trip. Maybe "drive safely", but in general we don't do any well-wishing at a casual goodbye.

By the same token, only the host or server should be telling people to bon appetit. Why don't you teach your colleagues that they should just not say anything at all, and that there is no such thing as 100% translation between Korean and English? Start saying "chon maneyo" (you're welcome) every time someone thanks you and see what kind of reactions you get.

Btw, I hate the expression "dig in". It inherently debases everyone to the level of animals doing their best to restrain their impulse to scarf down the food until the master commands. Disgusting. Almost as bad as saying "dip your plate".