One of my Korean teachers has an interesting way of putting things. When asked about eating dog she said she couldn't. I asked why not? Was it suddenly against the law? Was she allergic? Not at all. Her generation and younger just prefers not to. They don't like it. Same with rice cake. She doesn't like rice cake. She prefers bread. In fact, anyone in their 20s or younger are a lot more westernized than we could realize.
She refers to anyone in their 20s or younger as the New Generation. Everyone older doesn't mind the old ways. They like to eat a lot of traditional foods that the New Generation wouldn't even try now. They still live in many ways as they did 50-100 years ago. The further away from big cities you go, the more you see of their old way of life. Namsan is an example of that.
Far enough away, there are elements around the village of their old lifestyle. If you walk just a little further to some of the even smaller settlements you will see more. Toilets are wherever you squat out there. A shower is a bucket of water. Homes are small structures that we would consider a beat up shed.
In town and in bigger cities are the younger citizens of Korea. They are becoming more and more westernized and the difference is surprising. A lot of what I read online before coming over was good preparation for their culture. Some of it though, at least in town, is outdated.
It must be interesting to work with two separate lifestyles in one community area. Do the younger generation in cities bow to elders, etc.?; I mean, is that uniform for everyone in Korea?
ReplyDeleteThere are several things that are still universal. Bowing is one of them. They are huge on proper respect.
ReplyDeleteMany still plant rice by hand. As they get older, their backs will be deformed. That is why older people are allowed many privileges. Their lifestyles have earned them those rights.