Comments on: Changing for the Countryside

By: عسلک خوشحال

عسلک خوشحال — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 12:26:00 +0000

Well… yeah I have. Ritual behaviors are based on the Collective Subconscious in different times and spaces. In other words, there are some unwritten rules that people follow; and if someone shows a different behavior, the Collective Subconscious mind of the people, living in that area, reacts against it. They are simply surprised.

By: My Chinese Boyfriend

My Chinese Boyfriend — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 20:58:00 +0000

I’m from a small town in the country side myself. I have always had a unique taste in fashion, but I do tone down a bit whenever I visit my family. I think I’m known most for my eccentric collection of pants. Never be afraid to express who you are even in fashion. I say wear those spiky earrings! 🙂

By: JC

JC — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 19:22:00 +0000

In reply to Choreocrat. I would definitely agree with your observation. I dress for myself, not risque or inappropriate, but certainly not "normal." In the States, all I get are odd looks and the occasional "my hippie daughter" from my mom (in a loving but slightly exasperated tone). In China, I was told straight up that I should wear/do fill-in-the-blank instead. The rebellious American in me helped me to not succumb to the societal pressure, but it did still hurt.

By: Cassie (Yeobomg)

Cassie (Yeobomg) — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 12:50:00 +0000

In reply to Hannah Moren. Korea is just culturally that way. they have very set views on how things should be and people who deviate from that are considered outcasts, thus everyone conforms to keep from being pushed out. It was one of the biggest factors that contributed to my extreme culture shock when I first came to Korea. It took 3 years for me to finally adjust to it and accept that it's just their culture. That being said, most Koreans who have been abroad are also slowly learning that hanging out with non-judgemental people is way more pleasant than hanging out with even the closest judgmental friends.

By: E&M22

E&M22 — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 12:45:00 +0000

The same exact thing happens in the US. I moved to Washington DC, which is conservative but there is a fashionable side to the city. Like Seoul, it is a large city and experimenting with fashion and hair is not taboo. I had commented earlier that I had shaved the side of my head and left my hair very long. I also ombre dyed it from dark cherry brown to bright violet pink on the ends. I went home to Pennsylvania (primarily rural state) and the reactions towards my hair were very judgy and upsetting. My peirced nose is and little owl tattoo behind my ear is not welcomed either. I am still me, a figure in my community, a professional in my sport (skiing) and a nice person but some people cant see past exteriors. People are just judgmental and don’t like change in the form of personal expression no matter where you are in the world. Rock your earring and awesome hair Mr. Gwon! -Erica

By: Cassie (Yeobomg)

Cassie (Yeobomg) — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 12:44:00 +0000

haha! I noticed that earring when we met yesterday, and I was wondering about this very thing. I remembered last time y’all were in Seoul, Hugh was telling me about how he doesn’t wear his snapbacks very much at home because his friends tease him. Poor Mr. Gwon.

The Hubs did almost the exact same thing when we first came to Korea; he had an earring but he took it out because he said people would judge him badly. He said that men over 28 aren’t supposed to have piercings. But he also said as soon as we go back to America, the earring is going to make a comeback.

By: Deidre Crummitt

Deidre Crummitt — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 12:39:00 +0000

Aww, that last frame made me sad! Poor Mr. Gwon!

By: Cat

Cat — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 10:57:00 +0000

I’m a city girl brought up in the rural countryside, but I still rebel against the idea that I should dress like everyone else here. My parent’s have pretty much blended in but my daughter and I haven’t…despite my mother buying me things to try and fix that…If I don’t feel right wearing something outside I will just wear it around the house instead. I’ve always had my own way of dressing and my own idea of what is right for me, and I don’t change it for anyone.

By: Görkem Şahin

Görkem Şahin — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 10:36:00 +0000

I moved from Hamburg, a really huge and intercultural 1.8mil population city to Osnabrück, a small 165k city to study. When I first came here, people called me snob because of how I dressed and acted. Here, everyone is so reserved, doesn’t want to stand out and doesn’t want friends to stand out. Standing out is bad and it doesn’t even matter how you do it. First I tried to come along most people but I soon realized that I actually didn’t care. I found good friends regardless of my clothes.
I think it’s the fear of new things in rural areas. They want you to act like and look like things they know. Having a distinct personality, having a character that differs from the mass and wanting to show it is seen as destroying the unity of the group. In huge intercultural cities, people look for personality, in rural areas, they look for integrity. Maybe because these small communities are afraid of falling apart.

By: Brooke Au

Brooke Au — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 10:09:00 +0000

Ahhhhh…. I should have scheduled my trip to Seoul a week later~ TT-TT
My casual wear would always seem to be my dancing gear as my colleagues always ask whether I’m gonna have dance class that night~ but for me it’s just sporty look~~