Social Norms

One of the biggest culture shocks I’ve had in Korea is how people interact in shared spaces. It’s so quiet here on buses, in kitchens, and other communal areas compared to the U.S. I’m used to hearing people talk or exchange small comments in these spaces, so the silence really stands out.

The food has also surprised me. Dishes like guksu, the spicy foods, and the many soups which are often less heavily seasoned than what I’m used to in the U.S. caught me off guard.

Another thing that stood out is the number of foreign languages I hear in Seoul. English is everywhere as a lingua franca, but it’s actually a minority language here; for most people, it’s not their first language including other foreigners. That part isn’t too shocking since I’ve traveled before, but the difference is that I have more communicative ability in Spanish than in Korean so I was able to talk more in Central America. The language barrier here feels more limiting.

I’ve also been struck by the importance of saving face. People often stay quiet rather than using words or filler phrases with strangers. From my perspective, it can feel like Koreans avoid speaking with foreigners unless prompted. For example, only once in the subway did someone ask me, “Oh, why are you here?” I think this isn't uncommon as I saw another student whose shirt read, “Why are you here?” and the response was, “I’m a college student, that’s why.” In general, Koreans usually won’t start conversations with foreigners which feels more reserved compared to other cultures I’ve experienced.

Honorifics and respect for elders are another huge cultural difference but I read up on this before I came here. Older Koreans command respect, and even native Koreans will bow when greeting elders or move out of the way when they’re walking. As a foreigner, I’m often exempt from formal greetings like bowing, but I’m still expected to move out of the way or show basic consideration the social hierarchy is very visible and affects daily interactions.

I was also shocked by the sheer number of 24/7 convenience stores. I also really like how clean Seoul is. 

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