The only thing i can say about Life in Korea is that its Different ……. but it shares some similar basis as well with Pakistan ( i guess thats the reason both are considered as Eastern countries .. )..
Koreans show a lot of respect to elders … its strange but they will ask ur age in ur first meeting … ‘ How old are you’ will be generally a third or fourth question .. If u are old ,even one year though, u deserve a lot of respect .. if u are younger, even then you deserve a lot of respect because you are a foreigner 
.. So in both ways i get a lot of respect ..
And this respect has a problematic aspect .. you can’t get close to them.. if they respect you, they will keep a very fair distance ..
Koreans tend to stay away from Foreigners if they dont know English.. If they do know english , they would love to talk to you. Its very difficult to make Korean friends.. they tend to be shy .. and hesitant about their English speaking skills.. so its very difficult to manage even a single conversation with them ..
They have strong connections to their culture n traditions. No matter how modern they look in their dressing style and appearance, they have got a real conservative mind-set.
Unlike the general Opinion , they have done great advancements in Science n Technology .
Samsung is a big Conglomerate Giant. Hyundai, LG,Daewoo are also playing big role in the economy of Korea.
Generally they are hard working people , and strangely enough, they don’t observe office timings / working hours usually… And the tendency to stay late in the office is huge …Though one could question the efficiency level at work, but as a matter of fact, Koreans are consistent .. they continue trying till they solve the problem.
Koreans are having homogeneous culture throughout Korea. It typically means that lifestyle and mindset of Korean is almost similar. For a foreigner, its very difficult to differentiate the attitudes and behaviours..
Koreans dont believe in team work usually. Strangely enough, but it is individualistic society. If the need to work together, they want similar level of inputs from all participants, and they dont believe in helping those in studies ..they just want you to do it on your own . Unlike Pakistan, where we are fond of group study one night before exams, Koreans dont like group studies. If they do group study, in that case, everyone is supposed to participate equally.
Most Koreans don’t take breakfast , and almost everyone is on a lunch break from 12 to 1 pm and dinner break from 6 pm to 7 pm. These timings are almost embedded in their mind-set ..
The weather here in Korea is really un-predictable .. On a usual sunny morning, when u are just thinking its going to be a good warm day .. it may start raining at any time… I have experienced snow fall on the day i thought the winters are gone now … So u have to be in warm cloths every time u go out ..
Inside, however, every building including small houses has central heating mechanism … so u have to face ambient temperature changes when u go in n out of the building.
One strange situation which has occurred with me more than few times , is that they consider me American/ western Most of the time … So the usual scene is that a Korean guy will come to me ( if he knows english) .. and his gestures ( as per teaching of Ma’am Aisha ) will show that he is really excited to see me .. suddenly there will be a question ‘ Where are u from ‘ .. and on receiving the response ‘ From Pakistan’ … all the excitement vanishes immediately with a typical reply ”’ Aaaaahhhhhh Pakistan‘ ….
I really felt it strongly in Itaewan ( Seoul) , when i entered a Muslim Book Shop, and asked for Quran .. and the sales person asked , ‘ Are u a converted Muslim ‘ and i was like ‘ What ? i m from Pakistan ‘ and he said ‘ Oooohhhhhh Pakistan , sorry ii mis-understood you .
There are few American guys here … and some of them told me that my english is good ( Actually this is a compliment for Ms Shaista ).. Koreans are in love with Americans.. and americans are coming here in search of better jobs. Teaching english in Korea ensures them high salaries and less hard work.. so the influx of Americans is increasing….
Koreans are spending huge money on education, science and technology. Industries are supporting universities for research and universities are doing research n development for industries..
I have started learning Korean language .. Its tough but i guess i have to learn some of it to survive here.. Unfortunately, no one is ready to teach me Korean.. so i have to learn it on my own..
Koreans are not open to foreigners , they want foreigners to behave like Koreans, which create problems sometimes. In general, they are polite people, hard working, committed to their culture and traditions, promoting their culture, strongly in love with their country.. Love and respect their heroes .. and United as Koreans … You cant divide them easily …
About Author: M Saad Khan is MS Candidate @ biomedical Engineering Dept, Yonsei University, Wonju Campus South Korea.
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