Korean Job Discussion Forums

[horang]

Having lived in Korea makes your life style change? My students are curious what Korean culture/tranditions foreigners would like to adapt, and what they dislike so much that they want the Koreans to change?

Please do not say "Koreans spit, vomit, beat wives". These things are hated by Koreans as well and it should goes down to individuals who do those things, not the general population. So do not lower yourself to those individuals. I've seen it on this forum a lot.

Just off the top of my head, I can think of one thing. In Korea people do not wear shoes. So I would like pull a poll on this subject. If you have noticed any other changes I would really like to know what they are.
Another thing I can think of is that the Korean psyche is still based on Confucinism, that teaches relationships and loyalty, but not teaching anything about "honesty". I think "honesty" is a Christian virtue as I am a Christian myself. Another big issue is "human rights", that have been ignored in the name of ethics and relationships in Korea and other asian countries. For example, we teacher children to repect elders but what elders respecting young ones or their human rights? Many occasions totally ignored.

Thanks for your time.

Third option shoud be "No, I don't like to take my shoes off in any country". But I can add this 3rd option.

[cdninkorea]

I'm all over the shoe thing- when I was home last year I couldn't help but notice how gritty the floor was even if it was cleaned earlier that day. Part of that was because of my parent's dogs that like to run and roll around outside, but the shoes were a factor too.

[reactionary]

yeah, add the third option. i find the religiousness of ALWAYS taking off shoes to be ridiculous. while i do it for the most part, if i'm only going to be in my house for a minute or two, i don't bother.

also, it generally means i have to wear my shoes loose enough to slip on/slip off. that's not really a good fit to me. but since you're constantly taking them off and putting them on, it's more convenient.

[peppermint]

The shoe thing has been done to death here, and I think every time it shows that people from wet or snowy regions do take their shoes off when entering the house.

I can't think of any Korean traditions or customs offhand, but I thought the tall and short candles for birthdays was great.

[horang]

[Draz]

[browneyedgirl]

Russians always make take my shoes off...new carpet...whatever...

[ajgeddes]

Where I am from, absolutely everybody takes their shoes off inside their houses. To not do it is not even a choice. This is summer, fall, winter and spring.

[crazy_arcade]

I've never known anyone back home who wore their shoes inside the house...that's disgusting and crazy. It's also a large cultural misunderstanding. Maybe it would be better to teach about cultural misunderstanding? However, you have to learn about your own cultural misunderstanding first, right?

Maybe, for example, taking off one's shoes at school. I wouldn't bring that home with me though.

I'm very polite in my interactions and I come from a very polite place. I can't see myself bowing in public or offering things with two hands. How about a class asking your students what they would like to see added into Korean society? For example, holding the door open for the person behind you, not pushing others.

[JongnoGuru]

Shoes in the house.

Non-basement dwellers have parties in their homes with hot chicks who like to drink wine and cocktails in high heels.

Basement-dwellers have D&D parties in the lower rec-room after all their nerd friends have taken off their shoes per their dweeb suburban parents' instructions.

[peppermint]

Aww, look at the Guru, trying to troll.Isn't he cuuuute!!~

[Captain Corea]

[RACETRAITOR]

I can understand not taking your shoes off when you go into your home, almost--but I find it hard to believe that people who do this find it weird that in other countries we take our shoes off when we're inside.

What I don't get is where the threshold is in American homes where you absolutely must take off your shoes. Bathroom? Bedroom? The bed? Do you leave your shoes next to the bed at night? Somehow the idea of this disgusts me.

[R-Seoul]

Back in the UK I used to purposely enrage my Taiwanese ex-girlfriend by refusing to take off my shoes at the door to her shared house, telling her �this is not an English custom�- though I did in her room. If she had done anything earlier in the day to annoy me I would sometimes lie (on my own) bed with my shoes on. This would invariably lead her to go totally ape-shit.

p.s. sex with an angry Asian bird is one thing all men need to experience in life

[Alyallen]

I've always taken my shoes off in the house. Must be a Jamaican thing