Thursday 26 September 2013


"Extremely polite and a very serving oriented culture" is the image you come back with when you visit Korea.

From historical times, the whole continent- Asia- and especially China, perceived Korea as being a 'country of courteous people in the East.' With such a reputation, Koreans traditional admiration and respect for modesty, courtesy and propriety is demonstrated from ancient historical times up to the modern Korea we see today. Undeniably, Koreans are known for their politeness and friendliness, as well as for their hospitality which is worldwide clapped.

However, time and western society have changed Korea in the last 20 years and this change shows its prints in the family life as well. Regardless of the changes, the traditions make the charm of a country and studying them opens your eyes and enables visitors to understand the people more. Doing this in Korea is very challenging and rewarding as there is plenty to study and see.

Let's discover a little about the origins of the manners and politeness Koreans have. Where do these features come from?

It is amazing to see how from generation to generation this deep respect is cut into shape within each person's character.

Everything starts in smallest social cell, the family. Ever since they existed, the most important thing for Korean people was the family.

"Tongjok" is the name for all the relatives from the father's side of the family. It was very common for all paternal siblings to live in one home, as they were very united as a group. Consequently, up to four generations could be seen living together in the same home, sharing the good and the bad as one.

The leadership of the family could be compared to a little parliament where the oldest male members -therefore considered the wisest ones - always had the last word and made most decisions. These extended families were referred to as clans and all the families in a clan lived either in the same home, or in the same neighborhood. This sentiment of a strong bond was highly valued, cherished by all members. However, the mother's siblings were forbidden to adhere the "Tongjok".

Privacy was another value also highly treasured. For instance, the men and women rooms were set face-to-face on opposite ends of the house and men were by no means allowed to come into the women' quarters! This was considered a personal place where a woman enjoyed the quiet and peace she needed.

Well, even if today the modern life brought significant changes and young couples prefer to live on their own apartment and not within a clan, the main features of the people are still there as The Confucian social order has determined and shaped Korean behavior.

The significance of the Confucian social order in Korea can be particularly noticed on New Year's Day when family members bow to the older in the family (grandparents, parents, older brothers, relatives etc.).

Showing respect by using honorifics to those people 10 years older than oneself is normal and expected, especially if the persons in question are simple acquaintances. Yet, if the difference is less than 10 years, people address one another as equals.

Koreans never forget their dead. Since early childhood, the young are taught to respect their elders and the people who have passed away and New Year's Day is the time to show it most as they pay respects to their ancestors.

The pomp, jollity, and colorful celebrations of holiday festivals are a chief characteristic of Korean life and besides the big celebrations, they have several family holidays that are considered to be extremely important to all Koreans, here are four of them:
-paegil, the hundredth day after a child's birth;
- Tol, the first birthday of a child;
-hwan-gap, the 60th birthday, which is believed to be of special importance as this is the day when one has completed the 60 year cycle of the zodiac;
-kohi, the 70th birthday

Seeing a little from the past and a little from the present life of Korean people, I think you have pretty much contoured a picture about the origins of this extremely polite and very serving oriented culture. However, as you already know, "a picture is worth a thousand words" but "seeing is believing"!

To see it for yourself will enrich your life with the touch of a new culture, as Korea is a veritable life lesson to see, perceive and enjoy!

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