R-E-S-P-E-C-T

I wanted to share one of the proudest reasons I am glad I am Korean. Although not being raised in Korea or as a 'Korean' growing up, the more I have become involved in learning about my heritage and culture, as well as working with many Koreans throughout my meeting planning days, I have come to know and respect their... well, RESPECT culture. I stand firm on the idea that the way Koreans are raised (even though it has loosened up a bit in more modern times) are the best ways to be raised in the matter of treating other people, especially elders. Here is a breakdown of Korean RESPECT culture:

1. BOWING | Often this can be parodied in movies or skits with the never ending bows. The bows are just the way in Korea they greet each other, think a wave or a handshake in America. They have moved on to more handshakes I have seen, but bowing is still the main way to show greetings and respect. When you deeply respect a person or greet and elder or anyone who is in a higher position than you, you would bow all the way, 90 degree angle. Most often, I see just a slight head bow, or slightly more with the shoulders. All the way to the floor bow (sebae) is often saved for great RESPECT such as honoring your ancestors or weddings or traditions. I personally love this action for showing signs of respect and greetings. It can portray more effectively if your grateful to someone, or if you truly value that person, more than a simple handshake can do.

2. LANGUAGE | Koreans have a certain way you can address and speak to people, depending upon their age and/or position. The picture above just depicts an example of how you would address your peers if they were older or younger than you. Believe me, it is a bit confusing at first! I would call a female friend Unnie (FYI - these are English spellings of Korean words... just to make it simpler than typing 언니) if she was OLDER than me, and she could just address me how she wants to... and a male friend, I would call Oppa. BUT, all changes if you are male! If you are male, you would call an older female acquaintence Nuna and Hyung for older male. But there is more confusion! There is also Sunbae - that is also for people who are older than you, and you don't know them as well and doesn't matter if they are male or female or if you are male or female to use. BUT THEN THERE IS MORE! There is Ajusshi and Ahjumma, you use this for an older male and female (middle aged)... see! It can definitely get confusing; let alone, for words in general, you should speak differently to people you don't know or anyone that is older and in higher position than you. Most of the words have different endings and depending on your status, you would use different endings to address various levels of people depending upon their age or rank.

3. And just many more things! A big one is you should always pour for the other person, if you notice their glass is empty. If your glass is empty and someone has poured you a drink, it is common to turn away and not look at them while you drink. Also, accept drinks or really anything with both hands, as a sign of respect. Another one I noticed during my line of work, no one would walk in front of the highest ranked person. It was sometimes funny to see a dozen Korean men follow the head Korean leader (a Vice President, Executive Director...anyone that is the highest ranking). Also, on the subway systems... you MUST move for an elder! My husband and I got shooed out of our seat by an older woman (they are not afraid!).

There is so many other small nuances and things to list that Koreans do out of their RESPECT culture. It may seem a bit too much to some, but I truly feel that it raises children to be mindful and respectful at an early age, and practicing these later in life also makes for a good person. I am still waiting on any updates from Korea Social Services, Inc. The paperwork has been signed and sent for them to find any of my biological family that is left, and to see if they are ok with me wanting to meet them. I am hoping and praying to find out anything more on my life in Korea and anyone that I could still be related too! Until next time,

With Love, Jessica 은주