Culture Clash

It's Judy and I have confirmed (again) that I truly am not Korean. Yeah, yeah, yeah ignore the fact that I am 100% larger than all Korean women and that I can only utter about 6 sentences in Korean before becoming completely befuddled.... the real reason has to do with two habits that Korean women seem to possess that I do not.

Hair touching looks pretty innocuous here... it'll drive you nuts!

Firstly, I do not play with my hair incessently. Nope, I'll occasionally run my fingers through it to keep my bangs out of my face, but I am not usually tossing it about, tucking it alluringly behind my ears, or stroking it like those old minks draped across ladies shoulders in the 1940's. If you watch any of the reality shows on Korean TV you will be struck with this behavior. I'd estimate that 90% of all the women have long (and gorgeous) hair and of those women 100% of them need their hands slapped. I mean is it really necessary to toss one's mane about so much, & stroke one's hair, & move it from shoulder to shoulder? I say no. For heaven's sake, just leave it alone for 5 seconds!

Next up is laughing. And this actually happens with both sexes. Stated simply I do not cover my mouth every time I laugh, smile, grin, or chuckle. Nope, I'm comfortable doing that with my hands by my side... or on the restaurant table.... or wherever. Apparently showing your mouth is considered somewhat uncouth so Koreans consider this good etiquette. One more way that Americans might be considered uncouth and tacky!

At no point do I mean to disparage these habits.... well, okay I'm disparaging the hair fetish... I'm simply pointing out things that Koreans seem to do that Americans do not. I'd love to hear from Koreans what they notice that we do that they do not! Speak up, I'm sure there are plenty to pick from!

Judy, have you forgotten how OLD you are? I haven’t! You probably did this hair-toss-hands-in-hair stuff when you were young. Did you have beautiful tresses when you were in your 20’s and 30’s? I bet you did, and I wager you were constantly petting your own head. Eventually even gorgeous Korean stars age, and they cut their hair. Remember Son Ye-jin at the latest awards show with a structural cut? She didn’t touch it once and she’s in her early 40’s.

Yes, the hands covering the mouth is cultural. We’re crass Americans, so we don’t care if we show our mouths. ~ Pat

Nope, I never played with my hair like these Korean women. Just saying. ~ Judy