Cultural post #2

[Mary Lee]

I’ve come to learn a lot of the many differences between Korean culture in talking with my parents and Seonghye(성헤 선생님). In Korea, people are very sensitive to how people think about them. For this reason, people, especially girls, make sure that they look their best when they go out. Last week, Seonghye was saying how she wouldn’t be able to go out without makeup in Korea because people would assume that something was wrong with her. Because of this, she says that she wakes up two hours earlier so that she can put on her makeup and get ready for the day. It is socially expected to always look your best while in America that is of less importance. Many American college students would be described casual in sweatpants and a sweatshirt. Korea’s obsession with outward appearance I’ve been told is fed by the large amount of competition to get in the best schools and jobs. In order to get the best jobs, especially in a small country, there is a pressure to look your best all the time.