South Korea's Culture
South Korea might be small but its culture is like no other. The Koreans are one huge ethnic family that are different from other people including the Japanese and Chinese. The Koreans have a very strong national identity since they all speak and write the same language. South Korea has many different dialects, but their so similar that you can understand the different ones. South Korea's strong national identity is one of their many good traits.
The family is the most important part of Korean life. Traditionally the Male is the head of the family and in many cases a family can trace its history through it's male ancestors for over 500 years. The members of the family are tied together because the actions of one family member reflect on the rest of the family. Family welfare is always more important then the need of an individual. Korean families stay true to each other and always willing to help one another. Etiquette and customs in South Korea have very strict rules for greeting. Most people will shake hands after the bow so it blends both cultures. The person with lower status will bow down to the superior and the superior will initiate the hand shake. You must always wait to be introduced at a social gathering. You should also always say goodbye when leaving and bow to each person individually. Korean ancestors are always traced through the male family line. Children in South Korea are raised to believe that they can never repay their debt to their parents which is why there is lots of ancestor worship. They hold ancestral ceremonies for the past 3 generations. These ceremonies are usually held on Chusok and New Year's Day. Even though they can never repay their debt to their parents they try their hardest too. Korean Culture is diverse from the rest of the world. They speak a different language, have different physical features, and are one huge ethnic group with a strong national identity. The Koreans are all one and they support one another allowing a strong connection between them all. The Koreans are hard to break because they act as one, talk as one, and fight as one. |