hi. I'm not an asian but i'm addicted to corean dramas. it was an amazing way for me to discover a new culture that is different from mine. for example, in my country, we don't hug from the back (however i found it very romantic), we don't also give piggybacks (it's used only for children playing with adults)
- In Finland guys don't (atleast admit) get facial masks (unless they're gay, model, or just takes good care of their skin).
- In Korea the kids seems to respect their elders while in Finland most of people doesn't...sucks
- In Finland couples kisses/makes out at public places a lot (for example at school...I saw one couple making out at my previous school) and that's kinda gross imo.
- What I've learned from k-drama is that korean guys seems to respect girls more; Finnish boys are usually just after sex.
I guess that's all I can think now..
- In Korea the kids seems to respect their elders while in Finland most of people doesn't...sucks
- In Finland couples kisses/makes out at public places a lot (for example at school...I saw one couple making out at my previous school) and that's kinda gross imo.
- What I've learned from k-drama is that korean guys seems to respect girls more; Finnish boys are usually just after sex.
I guess that's all I can think now..
I live in California, and the thing I've notice around here most is people aren't as "touchy". People of the same gender rarely hold hands, unless they're in a relationship. I've seen some girls link arms, but that's about it. It's pretty sad that where I live, being close to friends of the same gender, and holding hands with your friend, would mean you'd most likely be called "gay". I don't know, maybe I would've thought the same thing had I not known about Asian culture, but now I'm a lot more used to things such as guys (and girls) holding hands and being more touchy and snuggly with each other. I actually wish more American guys were like that and not so worried about being called gay, because it's downright adorable in my opinion, lol.
Also, by people not being as touchy, I mean with their friends, not their partner. Because trust me, couples are definitely touchy here. It's pretty gross when you're walking somewhere and a couple is practically eating each other's faces in public, ha. So in that category, I tend to think Asians are more conservative.
Also, by people not being as touchy, I mean with their friends, not their partner. Because trust me, couples are definitely touchy here. It's pretty gross when you're walking somewhere and a couple is practically eating each other's faces in public, ha. So in that category, I tend to think Asians are more conservative.
odolerophet wrote: I live in California, and the thing I've notice around here most is people aren't as "touchy". People of the same gender rarely hold hands, unless they're in a relationship. I've seen some girls link arms, but that's about it. It's pretty sad that where I live, being close to friends of the same gender, and holding hands with your friend, would mean you'd most likely be called "gay". I don't know, maybe I would've thought the same thing had I not known about Asian culture, but now I'm a lot more used to things such as guys (and girls) holding hands and being more touchy and snuggly with each other. I actually wish more American guys were like that and not so worried about being called gay, because it's downright adorable in my opinion, lol.
Also, by people not being as touchy, I mean with their friends, not their partner. Because trust me, couples are definitely touchy here. It's pretty gross when you're walking somewhere and a couple is practically eating each other's faces in public, ha. So in that category, I tend to think Asians are more conservative.
You've brought up several good points lol. Especially the bolded part :D
There's definitely a lot more hierarchical respect in Asian culture, be it in the school, work, or home atmosphere. Even among friends, someone a year older than you is referred to as Noona/Unnie/Hyung/Oppa and there's a certain way to talk to them and a certain level of respect you're supposed to give.
On the other hand, although I know this happens a lot in the US as well, I think plastic surgery is much more accepted and even encouraged in Asian cultures. To the extent that it may be difficult for women who haven't had any surgeries feeling a lot less superior. Not having lived in an Asian country these are all my observations from the dramas that I've seen. But they do say that dramas tend to reflect the actual society, even though they can be absurd at times.
On the other hand, although I know this happens a lot in the US as well, I think plastic surgery is much more accepted and even encouraged in Asian cultures. To the extent that it may be difficult for women who haven't had any surgeries feeling a lot less superior. Not having lived in an Asian country these are all my observations from the dramas that I've seen. But they do say that dramas tend to reflect the actual society, even though they can be absurd at times.
Hm, I'm not sure which of my cultures to compare Korean culture against. I'm American, but my family is comprised of recent immigrants from Cuba and Puerto Rico, so the Hispanic culture has also played a huge role in my upbringing. I see a lot of similarities between Korean and Hispanic culture:
-the centrality of food
-drinking (we Cubans love our rum)
-respect for elders (not to the extent that we have a strict hierarchy, but Spanish also has a special way to address your elders/superiors)
-parents are not afraid to whack their kids should they get out of hand
-the tendency to place an expiration date on women, i.e. if she's not married and popping out babies like a Pez dispenser by the time she hits 30, she might as well hang up her hat and call it a night.
-the scary mother-in-law who babies her son and disapproves of everything her daughter-in-law does
OK, those last two are more cliches of the cultures, but they're cliches that are shared between the Hispanic culture I was raised in and the Korean culture as exhibited in dramas.
Perhaps the greatest difference is how strangers treat each other. In Korean culture, strangers speak to each other in a very formal way that's meant to maintain distance between the two, and as they become more comfortable with each other, they'll "lower their speech" to the more comfortable, informal style. Not so in the Hispanic culture. If you meet someone for the first time, you will be greeted with a kiss on both cheeks and a hug, as if you're already best friends. As a result, I'm much more comfortable being touchy with friends--we hug and hold hands all the time, and this includes my non-Hispanic American friends. But, yeah, even though I'm totally comfortable hugging my friends in public, I also can't stand when couples go into their intense PDA. Mainly because the couple usually decides to make out right in front of me, and I never know where to look.
-the centrality of food
-drinking (we Cubans love our rum)
-respect for elders (not to the extent that we have a strict hierarchy, but Spanish also has a special way to address your elders/superiors)
-parents are not afraid to whack their kids should they get out of hand
-the tendency to place an expiration date on women, i.e. if she's not married and popping out babies like a Pez dispenser by the time she hits 30, she might as well hang up her hat and call it a night.
-the scary mother-in-law who babies her son and disapproves of everything her daughter-in-law does
OK, those last two are more cliches of the cultures, but they're cliches that are shared between the Hispanic culture I was raised in and the Korean culture as exhibited in dramas.
Perhaps the greatest difference is how strangers treat each other. In Korean culture, strangers speak to each other in a very formal way that's meant to maintain distance between the two, and as they become more comfortable with each other, they'll "lower their speech" to the more comfortable, informal style. Not so in the Hispanic culture. If you meet someone for the first time, you will be greeted with a kiss on both cheeks and a hug, as if you're already best friends. As a result, I'm much more comfortable being touchy with friends--we hug and hold hands all the time, and this includes my non-Hispanic American friends. But, yeah, even though I'm totally comfortable hugging my friends in public, I also can't stand when couples go into their intense PDA. Mainly because the couple usually decides to make out right in front of me, and I never know where to look.
I am from India (South Asia) and actually there are quite lots of similarities as compared to the differences b/w the Indian culture and the Korean culture, like Indians are quite conservative when it comes to people of the opposite sexes hanging out in public, holding hands and showing any kind of behavior that may seem 'disturbing', and girls wearing short clothes. Though the youngsters of today don't care about what others think and are prone to doing stuffs which are opposed by the culture, the elderly people are strongly against this. Korea is the same where if a girl and a guy are spotted together, the older generation people will be like 'OMO! Kids these days!' LOL.
Respect to elders is given very very high importance in India and Korea. We are expected to treat our elders like God, follow whatever they say and arguing with them or disobeying them on any matter is regarded as an offense to them. Also, when a girl is married, her in-laws will expect her to pop out a baby or two as soon as possible for the generation of the family to keep going on.
Husbands prefer obedient wives. If a wife disobeys her husband, it will result in a very serious domestic fury, the husband will do anything and everything to abuse her- both mentally and physically (which I think is very much wrong and legal action should be taken against such husbands) and ultimately the wife will leave her husband's house and move to her maternal house. I think this is somewhat common in almost every culture but it happens more in Asia if I am right :P
India and Korea both have faced partition due to political conflicts which results the people of one part to have hostility towards the other part though previously they all belonged to the same country. Most of the South Koreans are hostile towards North Koreans. In the same way, most of the Indians tend to speak ill of the Pakistanis. It is a different and complicated issue. No offense intended to any one belonging to Pakistan here. But basically this attitude has influenced the Indian and Korean cultures.
Food and tea are like the lifelines of the people. Koreans eat rice and fish and drink tea. So do we Indians though of course, the recipes are different. When a guest arrives at someone's house, he/she is served tea with some snacks. This is a tradition. Though these days, 'tea' is being replaced with 'coffee' and 'cola' xD
Films and TV shows of the romance genre are produced more in number as compared to those of any other genre. In both India and Korea, people are obsessed with romantic stuffs and girls love to dream about their prince charming, getting married to him someday and living happily ever after than dreaming about a successful career =D Note: This doesn't imply to 'all' the girls xD
I can think of these many similarities for now :P Okay, coming back to the actual point- the differences.
Alcohol drinking is considered very indecent and disgraceful in India. From what I see in the dramas, people drink soju at restaurants and bars all the time. Even the elderly people! They drink when they are happy, they drink when they are sad- they drink all the time! In India, people do drink alcohol but mostly the men, women hardly drink and neither the teenagers.
Koreans today have their weddings in churches. This is not in their tradition, but influenced by the West, they prefer to have their weddings in western style. On the other hand, Indians have their weddings in the traditional way that has been going on for ages. Only the followers of Christianity have their weddings in western style.
Bands are not so popular in India. I hardly know just two or three bands, whereas in South Korea, everyday new bands are being formed. Solo singers are more popular and given importance in India.
In India, actresses once married are not permitted to go on-screen any more. I think this sucks. Just think about the actresses who worked hard to get into the acting industry and then suddenly their husbands and in-laws ask her to put an end to her profession/passion. Of course, this isn't the case for all the actresses. Some married actresses are still continuing with their acting career and their in-laws have no problem with that. But from what I have heard, a few actresses do face criticism. I don't think that's the case in Korea, is it?
These are a few differences. If I remember any more, I will post them.
Respect to elders is given very very high importance in India and Korea. We are expected to treat our elders like God, follow whatever they say and arguing with them or disobeying them on any matter is regarded as an offense to them. Also, when a girl is married, her in-laws will expect her to pop out a baby or two as soon as possible for the generation of the family to keep going on.
Husbands prefer obedient wives. If a wife disobeys her husband, it will result in a very serious domestic fury, the husband will do anything and everything to abuse her- both mentally and physically (which I think is very much wrong and legal action should be taken against such husbands) and ultimately the wife will leave her husband's house and move to her maternal house. I think this is somewhat common in almost every culture but it happens more in Asia if I am right :P
India and Korea both have faced partition due to political conflicts which results the people of one part to have hostility towards the other part though previously they all belonged to the same country. Most of the South Koreans are hostile towards North Koreans. In the same way, most of the Indians tend to speak ill of the Pakistanis. It is a different and complicated issue. No offense intended to any one belonging to Pakistan here. But basically this attitude has influenced the Indian and Korean cultures.
Food and tea are like the lifelines of the people. Koreans eat rice and fish and drink tea. So do we Indians though of course, the recipes are different. When a guest arrives at someone's house, he/she is served tea with some snacks. This is a tradition. Though these days, 'tea' is being replaced with 'coffee' and 'cola' xD
Films and TV shows of the romance genre are produced more in number as compared to those of any other genre. In both India and Korea, people are obsessed with romantic stuffs and girls love to dream about their prince charming, getting married to him someday and living happily ever after than dreaming about a successful career =D Note: This doesn't imply to 'all' the girls xD
I can think of these many similarities for now :P Okay, coming back to the actual point- the differences.
Alcohol drinking is considered very indecent and disgraceful in India. From what I see in the dramas, people drink soju at restaurants and bars all the time. Even the elderly people! They drink when they are happy, they drink when they are sad- they drink all the time! In India, people do drink alcohol but mostly the men, women hardly drink and neither the teenagers.
Koreans today have their weddings in churches. This is not in their tradition, but influenced by the West, they prefer to have their weddings in western style. On the other hand, Indians have their weddings in the traditional way that has been going on for ages. Only the followers of Christianity have their weddings in western style.
Bands are not so popular in India. I hardly know just two or three bands, whereas in South Korea, everyday new bands are being formed. Solo singers are more popular and given importance in India.
In India, actresses once married are not permitted to go on-screen any more. I think this sucks. Just think about the actresses who worked hard to get into the acting industry and then suddenly their husbands and in-laws ask her to put an end to her profession/passion. Of course, this isn't the case for all the actresses. Some married actresses are still continuing with their acting career and their in-laws have no problem with that. But from what I have heard, a few actresses do face criticism. I don't think that's the case in Korea, is it?
These are a few differences. If I remember any more, I will post them.
seoul7777 wrote: - In Finland guys don't (atleast admit) get facial masks (unless they're gay, model, or just takes good care of their skin).
- In Korea the kids seems to respect their elders while in Finland most of people doesn't...sucks
- In Finland couples kisses/makes out at public places a lot (for example at school...I saw one couple making out at my previous school) and that's kinda gross imo.
- What I've learned from k-drama is that korean guys seems to respect girls more; Finnish boys are usually just after sex.
I guess that's all I can think now..
I think this is valid to all European countries.
kania wrote: I notice that the families are a lot closer. That kids into their twenties still live at home, and a lot of extended family lives in the same house.
i'm from tunisia. close families are our similiraties with corean people. we don't leave our families houses until we get married and the son can always live with his pride in his family.s house.
huien wrote: I am from India (South Asia) and actually there are quite lots of similarities as compared to the differences b/w the Indian culture and the Korean culture, like Indians are quite conservative when it comes to people of the opposite sexes hanging out in public, holding hands and showing any kind of behavior that may seem 'disturbing', and girls wearing short clothes. Though the youngsters of today don't care about what others think and are prone to doing stuffs which are opposed by the culture, the elderly people are strongly against this. Korea is the same where if a girl and a guy are spotted together, the older generation people will be like 'OMO! Kids these days!' LOL.
Respect to elders is given very very high importance in India and Korea. We are expected to treat our elders like God, follow whatever they say and arguing with them or disobeying them on any matter is regarded as an offense to them. Also, when a girl is married, her in-laws will expect her to pop out a baby or two as soon as possible for the generation of the family to keep going on.
Husbands prefer obedient wives. If a wife disobeys her husband, it will result in a very serious domestic fury, the husband will do anything and everything to abuse her- both mentally and physically (which I think is very much wrong and legal action should be taken against such husbands) and ultimately the wife will leave her husband's house and move to her maternal house. I think this is somewhat common in almost every culture but it happens more in Asia if I am right :P
India and Korea both have faced partition due to political conflicts which results the people of one part to have hostility towards the other part though previously they all belonged to the same country. Most of the South Koreans are hostile towards North Koreans. In the same way, most of the Indians tend to speak ill of the Pakistanis. It is a different and complicated issue. No offense intended to any one belonging to Pakistan here. But basically this attitude has influenced the Indian and Korean cultures.
Food and tea are like the lifelines of the people. Koreans eat rice and fish and drink tea. So do we Indians though of course, the recipes are different. When a guest arrives at someone's house, he/she is served tea with some snacks. This is a tradition. Though these days, 'tea' is being replaced with 'coffee' and 'cola' xD
Films and TV shows of the romance genre are produced more in number as compared to those of any other genre. In both India and Korea, people are obsessed with romantic stuffs and girls love to dream about their prince charming, getting married to him someday and living happily ever after than dreaming about a successful career =D Note: This doesn't imply to 'all' the girls xD
I can think of these many similarities for now :P Okay, coming back to the actual point- the differences.
Alcohol drinking is considered very indecent and disgraceful in India. From what I see in the dramas, people drink soju at restaurants and bars all the time. Even the elderly people! They drink when they are happy, they drink when they are sad- they drink all the time! In India, people do drink alcohol but mostly the men, women hardly drink and neither the teenagers.
Koreans today have their weddings in churches. This is not in their tradition, but influenced by the West, they prefer to have their weddings in western style. On the other hand, Indians have their weddings in the traditional way that has been going on for ages. Only the followers of Christianity have their weddings in western style.
Bands are not so popular in India. I hardly know just two or three bands, whereas in South Korea, everyday new bands are being formed. Solo singers are more popular and given importance in India.
In India, actresses once married are not permitted to go on-screen any more. I think this sucks. Just think about the actresses who worked hard to get into the acting industry and then suddenly their husbands and in-laws ask her to put an end to her profession/passion. Of course, this isn't the case for all the actresses. Some married actresses are still continuing with their acting career and their in-laws have no problem with that. But from what I have heard, a few actresses do face criticism. I don't think that's the case in Korea, is it?
These are a few differences. If I remember any more, I will post them.
well i think that indian culture and arabic culture like mine have a lot in common. the only thing different is that woman in tunisia are treated better from husband and the in-laws (it's not always the case but the law is often in the side of married women with problems) also woman working after marriage is not an issue anymore (it used to be especially if they are in the entertainement field)
Keiy wrote: well i think that indian culture and arabic culture like mine have a lot in common. the only thing different is that woman in tunisia are treated better from husband and the in-laws (it's not always the case but the law is often in the side of married women with problems) also woman working after marriage is not an issue anymore (it used to be especially if they are in the entertainement field)
Well, the condition of women has improved than before in India. Married women do work outside, earn money and are independent. Earlier they were expected to stay at home, look after children and do all the household chores. Only men worked outside. But the scenario is somewhat changed now; somewhat because there are still a few old fashioned families who don't like their daughter-in-law going out for work. And law as in protecting women from domestic violence? Hmm, we have those laws here as well but yet there are still some misguided husbands with low-mentality who love torturing their wives.
vpacheco07 wrote: Well, the condition of women has improved than before in India. Married women do work outside, earn money and are independent. Earlier they were expected to stay at home, look after children and do all the household chores. Only men worked outside. But the scenario is somewhat changed now; somewhat because there are still a few old fashioned families who don't like their daughter-in-law going out for work. And law as in protecting women from domestic violence? Hmm, we have those laws here as well but yet there are still some misguided husbands with low-mentality who love torturing their wives.
i'm glad to hear that: it's the same situation here.
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