South Korea

South Korea

The People

Korea is one of the most homogeneous countries in the world, racially and linguistically. It has its own culture, language, dress and cuisine, separate and distinct from its neighboring countries. Hard work, filial piety and modesty are characteristics esteemed by Koreans. They are proud of their traditional culture and their modern economic success. Education is highly valued as the path to status, money and success.

COSTUMS:

Respect:

Meeting and Greeting

• The bow is the traditional Korean greeting, although it is often accompanied by a handshake among men. To show respect when shaking hands, support your right forearm with your left hand.
• Korean women usually nod slightly and will not shake hands with Western men. Western women may offer their hand to a Korean man.
• Bow when departing. Younger people wave (move their arm from side to side).

Body Language

• Koreans consider it a personal violation to be touched by someone who is not a relative or close friend. Avoid touching, patting or back slapping a Korean.
• Direct eye contact between junior and senior businesspeople should be avoided. This is seen as impolite or even as a challenge.
• Do not cross your legs or stretch your legs out straight in front of you. Keep your feet on the floor, never on a desk or chair.
• Always pass and receive objects with your right hand (supported by the left hand at the wrist or forearm) or with two hands.
• To beckon someone, extend your arm, palm down, and move your fingers in a scratching motion. Never point with your index finger.

Names

The majority of Koreans have family names within one of a small set: Kim (about 21% of all Koreans), Yi (or Lee or Rhee, 14%), Park (or Pak, 8%), Choi (or Choe), Jeong (or Chung), Jang (or Chang), Han, Lim, etc. A Korean name consists of a family name, in almost every case one syllable, plus a given name usually of two syllables. The family name comes first. A Korean woman does not take her husband's family name, but their children take their father's family name.

Marriage

Koreans think marriage is the most important passage in one's life and a divorce is regarded as a disgrace not only for the couple but also for their families ― still the divorce rate is growing rapidly these days. Today's typical wedding ceremony is somewhat different from what it was in old times: first a Western-style ceremony is usually held at a wedding hall or a church with the bride wearing a white dress and the groom wearing a tuxedo, then later in the day the bride and groom have a traditional ceremony at a different room in the venue, in colorful traditional costumes.

Korean Food

A diverse array of food and dishes can be found throughout Korea. Korea was once primarily an agricultural nation, cultivating rice as their staple food since ancient times. These days Korean cuisine is characterized by a wide variety of meat and fish dishes along with wild greens and vegetables. Various fermented and preserved food, such as kimchi, jeotgal (salted seafood) and doenjang (soybean paste) are notable for their specific flavor and high nutritional value. The prominent feature of a Korean table setting is that all dishes are served at the same time. Traditionally, the number of side dishes varied from 3 for the lower classes to 12 for royal family members. Table arrangements can vary depending on whether a noodle dish or meat is served. Formal rules have developed for table setting, demonstrating the attention people pay to food and dining. Compared to neighboring China and Japan, a spoon is used more often in Korea, especially when soups are served.

Korean Traditions

When we speak of Korean traditions we have to take into account the unified Korean peninsula. However, since the breakup of the country into North and South, over the last seven decades the traditions have evolved and have taken their separate paths. However, having said that, Korean traditions both north and south of the border, have many similarities.

Chinese and Japanese Influence Over Korean Culture

Korea has been influenced by both Japanese and Chinese Cultures.There had been bitter battles fought between its mainland and Sea of Japan rivals over hundreds of years. The Japanese occupied Korea for the first half of the 20thcentury and was only liberated after the allies fought and won the war for the Korean peninsula. Though what happened afterwards was not something that the Koreans expected. Korea got divided into two nations. They fought a bitter war, with each half claiming control over the entire peninsula and now shares one of the most dangerous borders in the whole world. Both China and Japan had exerted their influence over the Korean culture.

Korean Family Values

Most Asian communities have a completely different notion of family values and traditions. A typical Korean family is no different and here children live with their parents long after they are grown up and capable of fending for themselves. Koreans don’t quite believe in the western ways of life, and certainly have no confidence in the way western family lives are.

An average Korean is expected to not only respect his parents and give them a proper funeral after their death, but also take care of them when they are incapable of taking care of themselves. Their duty comes from the fact that they owe their life and their upbringing to their parents. After the death of their parents they are expected to perform the necessary rituals. But their duty does not end here. They are expected to have children of their own to ensure that the family bloodline continues long after their parents are gone.

The Korean Way of Calculating Age

Believe it or not, the Korean traditional way of calculating the age of individuals is not by his / her birthdays but on the basis of years. Let’s say you are born on the 15th of September 1960. That will make you 54 on the 15th of September this year as per the western calendar. However, the Korean way of calculating age is by years. Plus, they would add 1 (or 2 in some cases) to arrive at your age.

Leave Your Shoes behind When Entering Someone’s Home

Koreans revere their floors. If you are to make the cardinal mistake of walking into someone’s home with your shoes on you will be frowned upon and will be considered extremely rude. Respect the culture and believes and they will love you for that.

Table Manners

Traditionally, Korean culture requires of their men to eat first before the females. There are various other details and twists to this but in the modern Korean society this is not strictly followed. However, what is followed is that the eldest of the family is the first to eat. Usually what happens is that the entire family will sit together with everybody helping to set the table. The eldest of the family will take the first bite before everyone else does.

Thou Shalt Not Smile

Walking through the streets of Korea you will notice something uncanny about the Korean people. They never smile! Not even while they eat. The worst thing is Koreans don’t even speak while they are eating! This is unlike anything around the world. Everywhere else friends and families will smile, speak and discuss issues while munching their favorite food.

by Sarah Piña