Cultural Comparison
United States vs. South Korea
- Introduction -
Western Culture in the USA
5 Important Facts:
- People who belong to this culture like to be their own person (be independent).
- People in this culture tend to be more innovative and given more freedom than others.
- The culture is very diverse and consists of many ethnic groups.
- Informality is very common.
- Everyone is equal to each other.
some examples of families you may see in American culture
South Korean Culture:
5 Important Facts:
- Family is of utmost importance to them.
- Seniority rules above all.
- Bowing may seem odd, but it is very normal in their culture.
- They use a variety of honorifics.
- Respect is taken very seriously.
- Side by Side Comparison -
Western Culture
Components of Culture
- Freedom
- Independence
- Equality
- Change
- Honesty
- Family
- Education
Beliefs
- Acceptance of LGBQ, recently same-sex marriage became legal
- Freedom, free rights
Norms
- Using Mr., Mrs., Miss, Sir, Ma'am to address people
- Calling people by their first name isn't unusual if you know the person
Folkways
- Saying 'please' and 'thank you'
- Holding the door for others
- Leaving tips
Mores
- Casual attitude, includes slang
- Less conservative
Laws
- Legal drinking age is 21
- Call 911 for emergencies
Personal Identity
Rites of Passage
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- 16th/18th/21st Birthday
- Driver's License
- Graduation
- First relationship
- First job
- Marriage
- Buying a house
How Gender is Perceived
- Females seen as more softhearted, weaker, nurturing, the 'caregivers'
- Males seen as strong, powerful, the 'breadwinners'
- More gender equality now than before
- More feminism, many celebrities coming out as feminists
- Males are paid more than females
Kinship
- Family is the predominant form of kinship
- Parents take care of children until they are grown up and able to be independent
- Children are not as expected to take care of their parents when they're old
- Marriage
- Your family lineage does not take a drastic part in how people view you
South Korean Culture
Components of Culture
- Family
- Education
- Respect
- Status
Beliefs
- Confucianism - belief that people who are older and richer than you are 'better' than you and deserve more respect
- Age is calculated differently: babies are automatically counted as a year old and people gain a year on New Year's Day rather than their actual birthdays
Norms
- Elders are most respected
- Rather than Mr., Mrs., etc. use endings such as -nim, -yang, or -ssi (ex. John-ssi)
- Asking someone's age if you do not know their job title in order to see what degree of honorifics need to be used
Folkways
- Greet others by bowing and shaking hands
- Person of lower status bows to person with higher status (ex. less experienced worker to more experienced coworker)
- Remove shoes before entering a house
- Beckon others with palm facing down rather than up
- No tipping, it is seen as a sign of arrogance and pity
- Won't go thanked for opening the door or if someone bumps into you
Mores
- Everyone must respect those older than them; they go into rooms first, eat first, and more
- Don't usually call people by their names, but by their job title
- Being conservative
Laws
- Legal age to drink is 20
- Call 119 for emergencies
Personal Identity
Rites of Passage
- Baptism
- Child's 1st Birthday (Dol) - Child is seated in front of several objects which all have a meaning. For example, if a child picks up money, means child may become rich in the future.
- Confirmation
- Graduation
- First relationship
- First job
- Marriage
- Buying a house
- Compulsory military service - Because of South Korea's continuous dispute with North Korea, able-bodied men between the ages of 18-35 must serve in the military for 21-24 months.
- A man is within the age range and enters the military, separated from civilization
- The man goes into a training period with other men under the supervision of his superiors
- After his service is done, he goes back to society and is seen as a 'real' man
- Memorial Services - Rituals held on the anniversary of deaths. Food is also prepared.
Dol
Military
Memorial Service
How Gender is Perceived
- Traditional structure
- Men are seen to be more superior than women
- Huge difference in pay between men and women, men make an average 25.9% more than women (Li, 2011)
- Women expected to quit their job after they give birth to their first child
- However this has recently changed, more gender equality now than before
- Sons are preferred over daughters, but this has also decreased over time as more and more people become educated
Kinship
- Family is the predominant form of kinship
- Keeping the family honour and face is very important
- Close family ties, do not agree with separation of children and family
- Children are expected to take care of their parents when they're old
- Marriage
- Patrilineality - family origin traced through father's lineage
- Much of how people view you and base their respect on is your status, family status, etc.
- Venn Diagram -
References
A Dreaded Rite of Passage: South Korea's Mandatory Military Service. (n.d.). Retrieved November 8, 2015, from http://www.brownpoliticalreview.org/2013/12/a-dreaded-rite-of-passage-koreas-mandatory-military-service/
Culture and etiquette | About South Korea. (n.d.). Retrieved November 8, 2015, from http://www.roughguides.com/destinations/asia/south-korea/culture-etiquette/
Do You Know the Differences Between America Culture and Korean Culture? (2012, August 31). Retrieved November 8, 2015, from https://shofarmdchs.wordpress.com/2012/08/31/difference-between-america-culture-and-korean-culture/
Ideal Body Shape in Korea. (n.d.). Retrieved November 8, 2015, from http://breadbutterchampagne.blogspot.ca/2012/01/ideal-body-shape-in-korea.html
Korean Food Culture Series - Part 8 Rites of Passage and Ceremonial Foods. (n.d.). Retrieved November 8, 2015, from http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=260909
South Korea. (n.d.). Retrieved November 8, 2015, from http://www.everyculture.com/Ja-Ma/South-Korea.html
South Korea - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. (n.d.). Retrieved November 8, 2015, from http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/south-korea-country-profile.html
The Value and Meaning of the Korean Family. (n.d.). Retrieved November 8, 2015, from http://asiasociety.org/value-and-meaning-korean-family?page=0,0
Zimmermann, B. (2015, January 15). American Culture: Traditions and Customs of the United States. Retrieved November 8, 2015, from http://www.livescience.com/28945-american-culture.html