Cultural Differences--Koreans and Americans

Mom's plate--mixed.
When eating it's interesting to note small cultural differences. I am sure the reader will inform me that there are many who live in America who would do the same.  You know what I think?  Bologna.  I don't mean that kind, silly, of course I mean it's total crap.  This image on your left represents a meal that was cooked and given to my mother to eat.  She mixed it all up with the rice.



Olivia's plate--separate.

If you observe the image on the right you will notice that it has all been kept in its own space, or, rather, it's been kept pure.  Koreans, of course, mix their rice in with certain things, but they keep it down to a minimum.  (Bibimbap, Kimchi Bokkeumbap, Nakji Bokkeumbap)They aren't like us--they wouldn't just go stir crazy and mix anything up with rice.  If you were married to a lovely Korean lady you would start to notice these things.



After all, it is not the glaring difference that captivates me at this stage but rather the minuscule, the details if you will.  These will keep me entertained for the rest of my life.

Ah, yes.  There was something deeper that needed to be pointed out.  Koreans are very proud of their culture and don't really look favorably upon inter-racial marriages.  You have to keep the bloodline pure.  There are many races like this, tons, and sadly many Americans included, ironically enough.  It's just funny because I wanted to find a metaphor and bring it out of something very silly.  I have succeeded because Americans are a melting pot and it is apparent even when we eat.  Freudian slip, mayhaps?

Comments

  1. Wow. I love the insight you drew from just a plate of food lol. It is funny though isn't it? Because when you think about it, everything is culture. Even the manner in which we eat, walk, or carry ourselves. Great post man, can't wait to hear more!

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  2. Omg. I love your blog. Looking forward to reading more! :)
    Following and supporting! :)

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  3. Thanks! I'm glad you guys like it. It's meant to be silly and somewhat informative, but sometimes it's neither. I appreciate your support.

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  4. Korean is great for certain stuff :) However I like Europe more :)

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  5. I'm Brazilian born but raised in the States since I was 2 and even now I still discover difference in culture that I didn't notice before. It's kind of funny most of the time. For example, I used to always be confused when an American would give me a tour of their house that included showing the bedrooms. In Brazilian culture we might show the living area, kitchen, and bathrooms but bedrooms are private! :-P

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  6. Thanks for sharing, Natalia; it's funny because we consider ourselves very individualistic and we always talk about respecting our privacy here...yet we show people our rooms. In Korea you will probably never enter a friend's home. Boyfriends and girlfriends visit the family's home when it's time to discuss marriage details.

    After a while the big differences start to slip away and we only notice these rarities. I am trying to learn to appreciate them but I don't always appreciate everything I should.

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