In day-to-day lives, saving face can mean letting the older or senior person pay the bill, accepting food from elders regardless of dietary restrictions, and not seeking medical help for mental health issues for fear of losing face. For most Koreans, showing weakness is worse than revealing the truth. Koreans will sometimes go to great lengths to disguise their current status if they are in ‘shameful’ situations like being divorced, having bad grades, or going through unemployment. Chaemyoun (체면) or “face” is synonymous with the appearance people want to present to others in terms of their status or roles in society. One of the most interesting Korean culture facts that may be hard for others to fathom is the culture of “saving face”. That’s why in any Korean home, temple, guesthouse, traditional Korean restaurants, and even in some schools, you’ll be asked to remove your shoes and wear indoor slippers or just socks. Of course, they would want it to be clean at all times. Koreans use the floor to eat, sleep, and spend their leisure time. Thanks to their unique heating system known as ondol, traditional South Korean homes are heated through the floor.
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Koreans have a special relationship with their floor. This may not be unique to South Korean culture, or even to Asian culture, but the practice of leaving one’s shoes at the door is definitely normal, and even required, in this side of the world. In more formal settings like business meetings, a deeper bow may be more appropriate. Do this when greeting someone older, asking for a favor, and exchanging objects. It is so commonplace, often done along with a quick ‘thank you’ or ‘excuse me’.Ī quick, short bow of about 15 degrees or a nod of the head is often enough in most situations.
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669), bowing has been practiced as part of everyday life. One of the best-known Korean culture facts is the tradition of bowing.Īs early as in the Three Kingdoms period (57 B.C. For a wife, this means subordination to her husband and her husband’s family. This respect extends to the death of a parent in the form of ancestor worship. For the eldest son, this traditionally meant living with his parents after marriage, providing them with financial support and care. Children are not only required to support and serve their parents while still living with them but beyond. There is an emphasis on children’s obligations, loyalty, and devotions to their parents. Derived from the Confucianism principle of maintaining order, this is the virtue on which the traditional Korean family system is built upon. Filial pietyįilial piety, or hyodo in Korean, is one of the most pervasive Korean traditions.
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Sunbae, unnie, hyung, oppa, and sajangnim are just some of the terms commonly used to show respect. Polite language is practiced but there are several words or honorific titles that reflect this hierarchy.
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This is because age, along with gender, social and economic status, is an essential factor in determining social and professional interactions One of the most astounding Korean culture facts is that it’s not at all strange to be asked “how old are you?” by someone you just met. Hierarchical cultureĬonfucianism has largely influenced the cultures of East Asia and in Korea, this easily manifests in the hierarchical culture.