<Foreign Community>

 

By Rigoberto Banta Jr., Guest Reporter

 

Imminent in every society are the norms that they follow, the structure of the personality of people that makes up the development of its generations. The character of the people builds up the culture and standards that every member of that society must follow. And as for South Korea, the character of South Koreans enabled the success of one of the world’s most leading nations.

 

Most of the cultural norms that South Koreans follow are based on the respect of age. As a bystander of this society, I am amazed on how respect is shown in tangible ways in everyday life—in the language, in bowing and even in table manners. South Koreans give due respect to the wisdom of those who are of age, reminded of the fact that we are what we are with the help of the older generations. Though respect to elders is shown in every society, I think it is in South Korea that they give proper expression of respect to them.

With age comes respect in Korea, in every aspect of their everyday lives. In the language, table manners, and in decision making, the elders’ choice goes first. I have noticed that the students cannot look directly into the eyes of the professor—and would not dare to point him out directly in class. Some would dare to do so, but will not dare question the answer of the professor. Though I know that my professors understand that I am not a Korean student, I tend to think twice about that shy smile in their faces every time I raise a question in class.

One truly unique Korean protocol is to call people with higher status “teacher”. I was confused when everyone in my group called our coordinator sonsaengnim, having his occupation not as teacher but as the international officer. In front of the 1^st grade elementary students, I was called the same. Probably Koreans as well believe with the saying “with age comes wisdom”.

 

Koreans are industrious. They are diligent of their work and they know their responsibilities. I think this is one of the characteristics that the world can learn from Koreans. It is the characteristic of South Koreans that paved their way to be one of the Asians Tigers in less than half a century. It is manifested in all walks of life: from the overstressed schoolchildren due to exhaustive study plans to Ajummas and Ajussis working until the break of dawn to earn a living.

Connected still to work ethics, Koreans are known for their ppali ppali culture—a practice of making all things work fast. Though not as strict with time as the Japanese are towards time, Koreans are the kind of people that make the best out of the time that they have in their hands. And because of this culture, everything is made convenient for the busy bodies everywhere, everything quick and easy and always ready on the go. Though innate with this system of doing things, I am surprised with how Koreans are able to keep their calm, to keep their focus amidst all of the movement and activity around. It is something that is truly and uniquely Korean.

 

As much as the world sees that Koreans are the studious type of people, living for a year in Korea made me realize one thing—Koreans approach play in the same way as they see work—in full throttle. Work hard, play harder which sometimes equate to leaving huge bills over emptied bottles of alcohol. It may be an eye-raiser for some but what we should know is that we should learn to appreciate Korea as it is, and you might never know how much fun it shall get.

Korea is home to a heavy drinking culture which crosses any borders: from family gatherings even to the business field. I had my own share of experiences with drinking as well but this is the first time that I had someone asking me upfront “how much can you drink?” To Koreans, drinking is a way to encourage closeness among colleagues—and it reflects the Korean society as well. The elders are not let to have their glasses empty, and nobody drinks alone. And when it comes to payment, the one with higher status makes the strenuous effort to get into the cashier first after a long convincing argument.

 

And for a newcomer in the group, one can experience signs of distance or avoidance. I had experienced the same—not until they knew that I am a foreigner. As a collective society, it is believed that each member must somehow be beneficial to the group, thus one’s extensive self introduction in at first meeting, or probably self-marketing if you may.

Some may say that it is un-gentlemanly but guys yell on girls as girls do as well, sometimes even an occasional whack or slap. It is quite common to notice this “act of affection” towards other familiar faces, quite masochistic for me but one should be aware of this culture—and beware of their birthday ppang, or else be not prepared to accept it.

 

Some criticize how they do it, some see it’s interesting, but nonetheless this is Korea, Korean-style. What I admire the most about Koreans is their optimism on things, the way on how they look on the bright side. Having difficulties and hardships are inevitable but what I do take interest in is how they give a short pause to cheer-up everyone in the team. We all know how they are so fond of using the phrase “fighting “, but more than just a phrase, it is a pat-on-the-back, a small push to a small soul to move forward. And even though one might not succeed in the end, the reminder of Koreans that one has done his or her best makes up the whole scene look brighter. Would not it be nice to be Korean at least once?