Cultural difference at it's most surreal.

Rathark · Post by **Rathark** » 2003-02-19 08:50am

http://korealife.blogspot.com/part1/index.html

If you really want to get the gist of just how strange Korean culture could be, scroll down to section 2 of the above webpage, where the author (living in New York state at the time) recieves a phonecall at 3am.

While you're at it, click on "Welcome to Korea" and "More Stories".

Trytostaydead · Post by **Trytostaydead** » 2003-02-19 10:20am

Not too surreal. Most people are accustomed to various differently cultures, especially Asian cultures. If you're in college, you better damn well know Asian people, lol.

Peregrin Toker · Post by **Peregrin Toker** » 2003-02-19 10:25am

Actually, the bit about not wearing shoes at home didn't come as THAT much of a shock to me. After all, here in Denmark we don't wear shoes at home. At least not thep laces where I have been.

Trytostaydead · Post by **Trytostaydead** » 2003-02-19 10:27am

Oh, just a commentary though. I think Korea is one of those nations that grew up too fast. In a number of Asian countries, there is often a blend of modern Western and old Eastern and Korea is no exception. While Korea's technological industries grow by leaps and bounds, a lot of people still stick to old ways of life. So you'll often see a man in a slick business suit standing holding the most modern cell-phone juxtaposed against the man selling his wares in the pseudo-markets as someone else is busy decapitating that duck.

But the BEST part of Korea are their BB guns! Since guns are essentially non-existent in Korea outside of government agencies, kids will run around in armies with realistic BB guns and wage war against each other, ahhh.. the memories.

salm · Post by **salm** » 2003-02-19 10:48am

ok, i´ve read Geoje-do part 1 and part 2 and in the end it says "check homepage for Geoje-do part 3.

Where the hell is Geoje-do part 3?

neoolong · Post by **neoolong** » 2003-02-19 10:54am

Simon H.Johansen wrote:Actually, the bit about not wearing shoes at home didn't come as THAT much of a shock to me. After all, here in Denmark we don't wear shoes at home. At least not thep laces where I have been.

It's simple practicality. Do you want your carpet dirty with everyone tracking in dirt and whatever they've stepped in? I wonder why it comes to a shock to so many people, not you of course, but a lot of people.

Utsanomiko · Post by **Utsanomiko** » 2003-02-19 10:56am

neoolong wrote:
Simon H.Johansen wrote:Actually, the bit about not wearing shoes at home didn't come as THAT much of a shock to me. After all, here in Denmark we don't wear shoes at home. At least not thep laces where I have been.
It's simple practicality. Do you want your carpet dirty with everyone tracking in dirt and whatever they've stepped in? I wonder why it comes to a shock to so many people, not you of course, but a lot of people.

Hell, I take off my shoes in my home. That's what the freakin' vestibule is for. Why would anyone want to track in dirt or mud from outside, or wear those clunky things on soft, comfy carpet?

Rathark · Post by **Rathark** » 2003-02-19 11:19am

neoolong wrote:
It's simple practicality. Do you want your carpet dirty with everyone tracking in dirt and whatever they've stepped in? I wonder why it comes to a shock to so many people, not you of course, but a lot of people.

That is by far one of the more "normal" details, and one that I understood even when living in Australia.

I was thinking more along the lines of "Come now, one week too long", the instant teaching, or his boss demonstrating how to sit on a sofa.

The most telling moments of all, however, are when the culture shock is reversed. The reaction to the protagosist's perfectly "normal" (by Western standards) words and actions speak volumes.

Be sure to click on "more stories", specifically the boy on roller blades and the vegetable man.

CmdrSweevo · Post by **CmdrSweevo** » 2003-02-19 12:54pm

salm wrote:ok, i´ve read Geoje-do part 1 and part 2 and in the end it says "check homepage for Geoje-do part 3.

Where the hell is Geoje-do part 3?

Click home in the right navbar and then start reading from the bottom.

j1j2j3 · Post by **j1j2j3** » 2003-02-19 02:00pm

I couldn't stop laughing.

As a Korean living in Korea, I feel really sorry for that guy, he couldn't have gone anywhere worse, that island is a synonym for 'backward tiny uncivilized island'.

But it's true and really really funny

edit : Oh , and I almost lost an eye(actually both eyes) from running around in armies shooting BB guns.

gargamel · Post by **gargamel** » 2003-02-19 02:19pm

Yeah that is some hysterical reading. Did you read the part where he has jock itch and goes to the doctor?

I wouldn't mind maybe seoul or Japan for an experience.

j1j2j3 · Post by **j1j2j3** » 2003-02-19 02:43pm

This guy didn't seem to have such a bad experience but is just as funny.

(He also made it to a rural town.)

Crazy_Vasey · Post by **Crazy_Vasey** » 2003-02-19 02:45pm

Mental note: Do not get teaching job in Korea.

But holy shit this is funny.

gargamel · Post by **gargamel** » 2003-02-20 11:20am

I don't know...after reading all the korea life blog stories, it sounds like one hell of an adventure anyway...better than sitting here at this desk

Shinova · Post by **Shinova** » 2003-02-20 11:57am

I went as far up to the part where it started talking about Wong in Toronto (same Wong or different Wong?). It started getting a bit too weird from that point.

Slartibartfast · Post by **Slartibartfast** » 2003-02-20 05:28pm

Honestly this guy shouldn't have ever left her mother's house

Doesn't he have any kind of smarts at all? I mean the doctor had to explain to him that what he called Jock Itch, is normally called a "rash", go figure.

Anyway it's funny. Very naive person tho

EDIT: I do think it's funny and hard the way his employers don't make any real attempts to communicate with him, that should be really frustrating, but stuff like the Trash Mystery or the Vegetable Man doesn't seem very bizarre to me.

gargamel · Post by **gargamel** » 2003-02-20 06:30pm

Slartibartfast wrote:Honestly this guy shouldn't have ever left her mother's house

Doesn't he have any kind of smarts at all? I mean the doctor had to explain to him that what he called Jock Itch, is normally called a "rash", go figure.

Anyway it's funny. Very naive person tho

EDIT: I do think it's funny and hard the way his employers don't make any real attempts to communicate with him, that should be really frustrating, but stuff like the Trash Mystery or the Vegetable Man doesn't seem very bizarre to me.

Is it me, or does Smartfartblaster have hilarious grammar. I think he's missing the point, tho...this guy is just trying illuminate cultural shock through a comical narrative...I know I would have lost interest fast if wasn't written in such a way. Anyway, what do I know, I'm new around here anyway.

shawner88 · Post by **shawner88** » 2003-02-20 06:59pm

Hey, I was surprised to find this forum when I checked my blog traffic. A lot of hits!

Thanks for reading and for the interesting? feedback!

Shawn Matthews

The Great Unbearded One · Post by **The Great Unbearded One** » 2003-02-20 07:11pm

I thought it was great...although I found the funniest bit to be his mother trying to pursuade him to stay and not go! That bit had me in stiches. And the pictures are nice little aids too!

XPViking · Post by **XPViking** » 2003-02-20 08:36pm

Another typical experience of a starry-eyed Westerner coming to Korea. Nothing unusual.

XPViking

Raxmei · Post by **Raxmei** » 2003-02-20 08:47pm

What an amusing website

(edited to hide error)

desertjedi · Post by **desertjedi** » 2003-02-20 08:57pm

I found this website and experiences VERY interesting. Especially since I will be taking a job in Macau this year at one of the new casino resorts being built. I intend to keep a website just like Mr . Shawn...LOL

TrailerParkJawa · Post by **TrailerParkJawa** » 2003-02-20 09:47pm

neoolong wrote:
Simon H.Johansen wrote:Actually, the bit about not wearing shoes at home didn't come as THAT much of a shock to me. After all, here in Denmark we don't wear shoes at home. At least not thep laces where I have been.
It's simple practicality. Do you want your carpet dirty with everyone tracking in dirt and whatever they've stepped in? I wonder why it comes to a shock to so many people, not you of course, but a lot of people.

Ive only met one Asian family where you didnt take your shoes off outside. and they had old beaten up hardwood. This is such a habit for me, I do it most of the time in my own house.

Sidious · Post by **Sidious** » 2003-02-20 10:42pm

Shawner88 wrote:Hey, I was surprised to find this forum when I checked my blog traffic. A lot of hits!

Thanks for reading and for the interesting? feedback!

Shawn Matthews

Its a great read, and a well put together site

edit: typo

Sidious · Post by **Sidious** » 2003-02-20 10:46pm

Oh, and the post you have linked from your "blog news" page isnt this one, its the sd.net army post. Just FYI.

StarDestroyer.Net BBS

Cultural difference at it's most surreal.

Cultural difference at it's most surreal.

Korea Life Blog Author