I know that Americans in Korea are embarrassed when Korean doesn’t apologize after stepping on their foot. I agree that it can be rude attitude if I consider American personal space but, on the other hand, I believe that the behavior has “silence meaning” if I consider Korean personal space.
It is natural that the culture determines human behavior in that they’ve learn anything in their cultural boundary. So how about understanding the “silence meaning” by going on the personal space of Korean culture?
In old times, Korean has some cultures that explain their perspective. Durae is the example, which is called Farmers Cooperative Group. When one group member in Durae undergoes some hardships, then other group members help him for free concerning with warm mind. The opposite way is also possible.
Korean has rambling community spirit as you could guess from Durae. Likewise Korean doesn’t think other people are completely others; instead they think other people are the neighborhood. Accordingly, Korean personal space tends to be small. For example my personal space is nearly zero usually. In contrast, American tends to need more personal space than Korean because of their cultural background, individualism.
I believe non-apologize behavior has “silence meaning”, which is that you and I are close enough to ignore the formality of apologize.
I think you make a very interesting point. Some people do argue that the difference in personal space may be due social and historical reasons that have led America to have a more individualist culture and Korea to have a more collectivist. Although I believe personal space relies somewhat on one's own feelings and needs, larger social trends definitely have an impact on how individuals behave within public space.
ReplyDeleteYour last paragraph make me think a lot.
ReplyDeleteoh your text is very good!
ReplyDelete