The idea of hierarchy is also something that is important in South Korea. Parents, teachers, people older than you and the elderly are considered people whom you must respect no matter what. In many cases, the United States also believes in respecting others. However, Koreans show their respect differently and through different actions, such as bowing or handing someone something with two hands. They also show their consideration through their everyday life by giving their seat up for pregnant women or older people. Seats on the bus or train are even marked for the elderly and pregnant women!
I soon discovered that my idea of rudeness, such as not talking to others often or not using “sir” or “ma’am”, is the same as the Korean idea of considering how others are feeling, but from a different perspective. People in South Korea don’t speak to you suddenly because they don’t want to bother you out of consideration for how you may feel. People in the States speak to you because they want to be friendly. People in South Korea respect hierarchy through actions and formal speech such as using “-inmida” at the end of a sentence to show formality. People in the United States are polite and use “please” and “thank you”. The kind intention is there for both cultures, but it manifests in different ways.
