I’m tempted to wrap my first impression into a permanent one. It may be unavoidable, but in Korea, like no other place, I’m
concerned that I’m passing judgment too soon. I guess that’s because my first
impression is that I feel like a hick who’s confused (and a little freaked out)
by the “otherness” of this place. This is disturbing particularly since I consider myself such the world
traveler.
I’ve never been this far East. I know and love Korean food
from my NYC days of the occasional trek to 32nd street for barbeque.
But I’m finding it hard not to say things like, “this is so weird,” “how
bizarre,” or to just kind of chuckle to myself.
It started on the plane when I watched a documentary about
Korean Food in New York. I assumed, based on my aforementioned experience, this
would be interesting and familiar. It was the former but not the latter. A
famous TV personality came to New York and highlighted some Korean influences
on New York culture in a sort of boasting manner. He visited Fulton Fish
Market, for example, and exclaimed that not only do Koreans get to the market
first, but they are the main drivers of the Fish Market economy. While I haven’t
googled this, I find that hard to believe. Slowly, but surely, the video felt
more like a propaganda film. It felt a little like something that might come
from North Korea, save the nuclear destruction threats.
Today, at the opening conference, there was more of this
propagandizing of Korea. I find it difficult to describe and there isn’t space
for it in a blog. But let’s just say as we went through a plenary session and
participants made suggestions for how the organizing body could be more
inclusive, each suggestion was brushed aside or punted down the road for later –
all with a smile and a bow and a return to Korean-centric presentations.
But on the other hand, this doesn’t come across as arrogant
as much as it comes across as desperate for approval. A traditional musical
group of women came out at the end of dinner and played Western music with
their traditional instruments. They played “Let it Be” and “Dancing Queen” with
wooden flutes and stringed instruments whose names I do not know. It would have
been nice to hear some Korean music – there was a little, but it was mostly Western
pop. It was as if they were saying to the audience: we want to show off our
culture but we want to make sure you understand and like us for it.
To save myself from sounding so, well, Western (and
ignorant), I shall write about the food next – which is fantastic!
I was hoping for more details of the flight attendants but these are some interesting observations. Look forward to the food blog.
ReplyDeletePS: Please dont' bring back a recording of Dancing Queen.
Jess...I read this with great interest and my initial reaction was that despite the fact that you ARE a world traveler you may be going through some culture shock because you are in Asia for the first time --and IT IS NOT at all like being in Africa. I read this out loud to Art and he had some comments as well. We both think that your assessment of Koreans appearing defensive about their culture seems a bit erroneous. I was wondering if there was some confusion here about Koreans hanging on to their own culture while being faced with how Westernized they want to be. Because they are one of THE most affluent countries now in Asia perhaps this is an issue that is hard for them to resolve...not to let go of their own culture but to also seem like they are as confident as Western societies are. It is a hard thing to articulate.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things that is very different when you visit Asian countries or live in them is being able to "read people" in the same way we are used to. There are many layers of politeness that hide what people are really thinking and are planning. I found this the hardest thing I faced when we moved to Manila...one the surface things looked one way and underneath there was something totally different going on. So perhaps this defensiveness that you perceive is really that duality where as a Westerner we are looking for these familiar signs and they are couching many things in politeness, saving face, and putting forth a certain facade.
This will have to be saved for a future lively discussion that perhaps we can continue at Thanksgiving, I hope. Perhaps sometime when you have time reading something written about Korean culture would be helpful in understanding how they are acting and reacting as hosts of an international conference. All very fascinating stuff!
Hi Kristina - I agree with yours and Art's points. To add to that, there are a few other dimensions I have under-estimated. The first is that this is a country that built up from scratch one of the best economies in the world, after a devastating war. Also, they have a crazy cousin up north who scares away tourists. Finally, there was a specific dynamic unfolding at the conference where it made sense that the hosts were behaving in a particular way.
DeleteI have much to learn...