Learning Journal #2

[Xiaoting Sun]

Korean culture is represented as hierarchical, collective and harmony-oriented. Politeness and hierarchy is very important to Koreans, and the hierarchy is explicit in the Korean language. Different language systems needed to be used, when you are talking with various persons. Usually, the older person, the more social status they have.  There are a lot of emphasis places on sharing drinks and meals, although some of the older traditions have relaxed in recent years. The young need to wait for the oldest person to sit down before the young take a seat at the table. Before eating, especially at someone’s home, it is polite to say that you are looking forward to the meal. In Korean, people say Jalmukesumneda. (I will eat well) At the beginning of meal, the young also need to wait for the oldest person to lift their spoon or chopsticks first before you start eating.