South Korea seems to be a modern and trendy country, but it retains many niche cultures and living customs that are completely different and in sharp contrast to domestic perceptions. These wonderful details penetrate into daily life, folk customs, aesthetics, and social affairs, and foreigners often feel new when they come into contact with them for the first time. The following is a review of South Korea's most representative unique and exotic culture.
1. Extremely strict garbage classification comparable to exams
South Korea's garbage classification is the most cumbersome level in the world, far exceeding conventional classification standards. Paper waste needs to be divided into newspapers, cartons, and packaging paper, and the cartons must be completely disassembled and flattened; plastics, beverage bottles, food residue, and general waste are subdivided into more than ten categories. When renting a house, the landlord often provides several pages of detailed garbage classification rules. If you throw it away in violation of regulations, you will directly face high fines. This is the most difficult rule for foreigners to adapt to.
2. The number "4" is deeply taboo and completely avoids its use
South Korea is deeply influenced by traditional folk customs and extremely avoids the number 4, believing that it means bad luck. Local apartments, hotels, hospitals, and elevators generally do not have a 4th floor, and are directly replaced by the F floor; telephone numbers, license plate numbers, and house numbers will also deliberately avoid the number with 4. This deep-rooted numerical taboo still widely affects daily life.
3. Appearance comes first, plastic surgery becomes a common daily routine
South Korea is a typical externalist society, and appearance is regarded as part of personal competitiveness. Plastic surgery clinics are all over the streets. Plastic surgery is not a niche behavior, but very common. Many parents regard plastic surgery as a gift for their children to graduate from high school and become adults. In the workplace and social interactions, appearance and image will be focused on, and the inclusion of beauty has become a unique social and cultural phenomenon.
4. Intimate interaction between the same sex is purely normal and has no special meaning
In South Korea, same-sex friends holding hands, holding arms, and hugging each other are common ways to get along closely and do not carry any special connotations. Regardless of men and women, peers with good relationships will have such physical interactions. It is a way to express friendship and closeness. It is very different from domestic social cognition and can easily cause misunderstandings by outsiders.
5. Don't say "eggplant" when taking pictures, say "kimchi"
Most countries around the world say "eggplant" smiles when taking photos, but the exclusive password for South Koreans to take photos is "Kimchi". The pronunciation of this word can naturally open the corners of your mouth and show a standard smile. Over time, it has become a national habit and an interesting culture with regional characteristics.
6. The 24-hour bathhouse can be overnight and is an affordable living space
South Korea's public bathhouse (steam room) is not only a bathing place, but also a affordable leisure and overnight space for all people. You can take a bath, rub a bath, and steam a sauna. It is equipped with a lounge hall. It is open 24 hours a day and the price is low. Many people choose bathhouses for short trips and temporary stays. It is a special lifestyle unique to South Korea.
7. Unique "poop culture", interesting folk customs are out of the circle
South Korea is very tolerant of poop elements and has derived exclusive interesting folk customs and cultural creations. There are poop shaped breads, cakes, and cultural and creative decorations on the streets. In traditional folk customs, poop also symbolizes wealth and good luck. This kind of seemingly exotic culture has shed its indecency and become a highly recognizable and interesting feature in South Korea.
8. There is a big contrast in wedding customs, so send wreaths to bless
Domestic wreaths are mostly used for funeral occasions, while in South Korea, white wreaths are a symbol of high-end blessings for weddings. Wraths presented by relatives and friends are often placed at the wedding site of newlyweds, representing grand and sincere celebrations. This is completely contrary to domestic perception and is a wonderful folk custom with a very contrasting contrast.
9. The whole country is heavily dependent on coffee, and the density of coffee shops is extremely high
Koreans have an extreme obsession with coffee, and Seoul's coffee shops rank among the highest in the world, far exceeding milk tea shops. No matter day or night, there are all kinds of cafes everywhere on the streets. Office workers, students, and the elderly are used to drinking coffee every day. Coffee has replaced traditional tea and become a national-level drink.
10. Hidden and concealed design of public toilet flush button
The toilets in South Korean hotels, shopping malls, and public toilets are very special. Most of them do not have conspicuous top flush buttons. The flush buttons are hidden behind the toilet, on the sides or on the wall. Tourists who visit for the first time often cannot find the switch, which is a very rare detail of life.
