Cultural Differences: a Glimpse of South Korea
A small glimpse into the unique cultural lifestyle of South Korea.
I am a Korean American lady who was adopted by Caucasian-American parents when I was an infant – too young to remember being exposed to any Korean cultural influence. Being curious, I had always wanted to be able to experience it one day. Other Korean Americans often spoke about how they believed I “should” learn more about “my” culture and that I “should” learn to speak the language as well; highly intrusive and presumptuous statements, but statements that became a running theme in my life. Though I felt a continual resentment regarding their inconsiderate statements – after all, I WAS speaking my language (I was an American) the idea of visiting and learning more about my ethnic culture still intrigued me.
Luckily, I was fortunate enough to take a month-long trip to South Korea with a close Korean American girl friend. Because she had family in the country we were able to experience South Korea in a more intimate manner; able to get a taste of what it might be like to actually live there.
Having grown up in Southern California, a place where there were only two other Asians at my entire school I was in for a big time shock. All the built up Asian-stereotypes were challenged and many were eradicated as my eyes took in the population I was born among. I saw overweight, poor, uneducated Asians. Though I searched for the Asians that fit the stereotypes I grew up believing in, they were found few and far between. And it made me realize how very much alike the American population was to the Korean population, the only difference was the superficial features and different choices of food, apparel, etc; but beneath all that, I saw the same personalities garbed in Asian features.
Some parts of South Korea were more modernized as we can find here in the United States. Seoul, Korea – the capital, was a booming large metropolitan city. Buildings shot upward into the sky and cabs screeched back and forth in the streets barely missing pedestrians, almost seeming to aim for others at times. Other cities, however, were still entirely rural, like Pusan. For example, a bathroom in this city was a mere hole in the ground that one was expected to literally squat over. Showers were simple spout-heads that were often perched above the “toilets” – a complete all-in-one bathroom set.
Also of a seemingly less modernized nature, was the notable observation of the cultural food preparing.
From the moment that my friend and I woke in the morning, her female relatives would be busily preparing breakfast. Cooking items were spread out over the wood floor: vegetables, meats, spices, utensils, and other various tools. They sat Indian style in front of their working endeavor, picking and pruning, cutting and mixing away. This was continued until approximately six to seven dishes were satisfactorily completed.
After breakfast was served, they would quickly whisk away dishes and leftovers and begin preparing after-meal fruit plates. When this was pleasantly consumed and cleared away as well, they would not stop and kick up their feet for a well-earned moment’s rest. Instead, to my surprise, they dove back into preparing the next meal. This ritual was repeated for dinner as well. It was a lifestyle that was completely beyond anything I had ever been exposed to before. Their lives seemed to literally revolve around food, with everything else being secondary.
There were many other interesting notable moments from this trip – but, this was, of course – just a glimpse of South Korea.
For more great reading by Liane Schmidt:
- Silence is Golden
- How to Remain Inspired
- You are Rising to the Top!
- Innovative Visualization Journeys
- B12 Shots: The Newest Energy Booster
- You Must Lift Others Up to Be Successful
- Limitless Capabilities Lie Inside All of Us
- Your Writing Success: It Will Surprise You
- Successful People Open Their Own Doors
- How to Keep Your Articles in Constant Circulation
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User Comments
Jennifer
On July 19, 2007 at 5:14 pm
What a different world!
drcrazy911
On September 23, 2007 at 2:32 pm
i wanna go
Liane Schmidt
On September 23, 2007 at 3:09 pm
Dear Jennifer,
Yes, it truly was. I am so thankful that I was able to go.
Thank you with all my heart for your comment.
Best wishes.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
Liane Schmidt
On September 23, 2007 at 3:10 pm
Dear drcrazy911,
Thank you so very kindly for your comment. I am certain you would love it. It truly is a unique experience.
Best wishes.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
tamara
On October 7, 2007 at 9:37 pm
very true
Lucy Lockett
On November 24, 2007 at 4:15 am
Interesting and informative article.
Judy Sheldon-Walker
On November 24, 2007 at 9:38 pm
Fascinating. I am glad you were granted the opportunity to go. and that you shared the experience with us. Thank you. It’s the first vacation I have in years. LOL.
Rana Sinha
On April 7, 2008 at 5:53 am
Good article. Makes me want to visit there.
Judy Sheldon
On April 13, 2008 at 8:31 am
I am sorry that people try to force their opinions on others. Sometimes people need to learn to keep their mouths shut until they have more information.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
nobert soloria bermosa
On April 13, 2008 at 10:32 am
relatively speaking, most Asians have the same thing in common, their lives evolved on foods and foods and foods.that’s the attitudes of most Filipinos, during or right after each meal they would talk about what to eat for the next meal, after doing so they’re busy preparing again the food for the next meal.nice article Liane. i’m glad you have it published again.
Dee Huff
On April 13, 2008 at 3:58 pm
What an eye-opening experience that must have been. Your descriptions of the street scenes and the kitchen are so vivid, I can picture them in my head (also hear the taxis aiming for pedestrians).
R.B. Parsley
On April 13, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Liane, I read your article. I too felt I was among the natives as I read it. I had a couple friends, brother and sister, that were from Korea. The stories they could tell would make anyone want to buy a plane ticket and a passport. Excellent article!!!
Randy
IcyCucky
On April 13, 2008 at 6:02 pm
I enjoy reading this. It is like a vacation for the mind.
Ruby Hawk
On April 13, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Very interesting, I am always interested in learning about different cultures and you gave me a clear picture of the Korean people.
Gerlaine
On April 14, 2008 at 4:18 am
You were so descriptive that I was there.
quiet voice
On April 14, 2008 at 11:49 pm
..Hi, you write so well, I was
right there, while they were
preparing the food. What you
stated about the simularities,
is so true, the more we are
different, the more we are the
same. Great, vivid article.
Andy-N
On April 17, 2008 at 1:42 am
First off I detest the fact that people are way to nationalistic. What a contentious world we live in.
I have a friend who is from South Korea. He has some beautiful pictures of his homeland but also told me of the overall poor conditions there.
Sadly Liane there are way more poor places here that people pretend don’t exist.
Nice article.
Aimee
On September 28, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Hello,
I am an Asian American who was born in South Korea and lived there for nearly 11 years.
Much of what you wrote is true: the rules of driving are very different than those in America, life oftentimes circles around food, and there are indeed still places that require one to “squat” over a hole in the ground which serves as a restroom.
In all actuality, this was a great glimpse of Korea. But if one should take the time to really learn, rather than merely glimpse, at Korea, they would undoubtedly uncover the values which oftentimes set Koreans apart.
For instance, you noticed that much of life in Korea circles around the preparation and consumption of food. However, you may have not known that this tradition is about much more than merely food; food acts as the medium which allows Korean families and friends to work together, bond, and cherish each other’s company. The preparation and consumption of food is often bound by traditional values of respect, charity, and a collectivist attitude.
I hope that, if you desire, you may to Korea one day to experience not only the glimpses of Korean culture but also the true underlying wonders of the Korean people.
Good article.
Aimee
On September 28, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Whoops! It was supposed to say: I hope that, if you desire, you may return to Korea one day..
Paula Mitchell-Bentley
On September 29, 2008 at 9:07 am
Great article. Thanks for sharing! It’d be cool to see pictures too. Maybe you could write a Part 2 version with images from your trip?
No Later
On March 13, 2009 at 10:31 pm
I loved how you described the wood floor and how the food is served. Honestly, I would be happy enough to see the food served, let alone eat it. You truly have a gift for words.
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