Personal Rights
For the last two weeks I have been on vacation at home in the US. I had a lot of questions about Korea and talked a lot about the culture here; the good and the bad/things I like and dislike. One of the things I kept mentioning was how there is a lot of touching. Not affectionate touching, but like going out of their way to touch or hit you when passing or walking by. People asked me why Koreans did this and I just said “I don’t know!” because I didn’t understand it either.
However, being back now, after my break in the States, I think I get it. It has to do with personal rights, or the lack thereof.
It is well known that Eastern cultures are very collective – they work as groups and think as groups and honor group achievements more than individual achievements.
Yes, Korea has a democratic government, but the way people think is much different than in the west.
It has to do with considering how one’s actions might affect another. I think Koreans do not consider how their actions might affect someone, or more specifically their feelings.
I think part of why Americans consider not hitting someone as they walk by, by giving them space and stepping to the sides, is for fear of the person’s reaction. In Korea, there isn’t much actual violence, so people don’t worry about someone hitting them or hurting them. But also, I think Americans just consider someone else’s rights, by law, and by respect. This is not the case in Korea.
Another example of this is with music. A lot of times Koreans will listen to the radio out loud (like without headphones) when walking or hiking, or in my most recent experience, while riding the bus. Americans, yes would get yelled at for that because, “Um, excuse me, but what makes you think I want to listen to YOUR music?” And that is my thought when this happens. But it is not the same for Koreans. Nor do they think they are doing something wrong. And they really aren’t. I mean it’s their country and if that’s the way then I guess I just have to deal.
But I thought I would explain that here, to the Americans that follow my blog who may not realize the privilege and respect they receive in the United States of people allowing them to have their own rights, not to get hit when walking, not to listen to someone else’s music, to know what they will be doing in the afternoon and not just dragged around.
For the rest of my time here, I will, obviously, continue to just go with it and secretly be annoyed, but will always remember the privilege I receive at home.
~Hayley