2weeks in Feb - Topic - Korean stereotypes about age



Questions

1. Speak about yourself. Do you think you tend to have stereotype to age? (especially young and old people?)

- I think I do. Whenever I meet old person in the first time, all of my action gives them polite image without my intention. But for young people, I have a little generous mind with them. Maybe after I've experienced to western culture, I changed my way of thinking for the people. They have opened mind, outgoing and personal. But I think I still have a stereotype.

 

2. Do you think people getting mature as they get old? Do think old generation is stable and conservative?

- Most of cases are right. Because being an old man means they had many chances to experience something hard more than younger people. But some people had less matureness. For instance, they commit a crime like killing their parents, violating a children, gambling and cheating. My point is most of cases are right except some people. And old generation is stable and conservative? It's same answer as I said before. Some people are very stable and conservative but others are disappointed us.

 

3. We often ask some questions like this, "How old you are?", "Where do you live?", or even "Are you married or single?" But, as you know, it is usually regarded as a rude question in western culture. Well. what do you think the reason 'we' are eager to know one's private information(especially about age) compared with western people. Just because of cultural difference?

- I think that's right. Korea is a nation-state, which is we've lived this society as a single race more than other country. So we learned manner,life-style,relationship and son on from our ancestor. But most of all, manner is very important factor of life between us. We only saw our ancestor's life style, life pattern. We just admitted their way.

On the other hand, in western has lots of races in there. As they grow, they saw,listened and experienced many ways of life and culture. That means they can have a mutiple point of view for other people. These differences made our relationship strictly. That's why we are asking their age when they meet in the first time.

 

4. What do you think about the group of people, "ajumma" and "ajeossi"? What is your first impression when you hear those words?

- Old-aged, not fresh, selfish,lazy and tough. You heard?? Most words are not positive. I don't know why but I feel that kind of way.

 

5. Let's think about age discrimination. How about the opportunity of getting a job? In various wanted ads, many  companies openly specify specific age groups for the job. Is it reasonable or is it merely discrimination?

- In a sense, they hire a person to solve the unemployment. As our level of education are growing, Jobs can not enough to accept amount of job hunter. So, why they want a specific person is this reason. That is positive point. But what about others??, who didn't take a bachelor's degree or master's degree?? I wish they put emphasis career and experience more than degree. Someone doesn't have degree but has lots of career though, it could be a standard, practical way when they recruit a person. Of course I don't mean a person who got more educated. I just want to give them equal chance as much as possible.

So, my conclusion is it merely discrimination

6. Have you heard certain popular nightclubs do not allow people of certain ages?(It is said some prevent over 25 people from entering) What do you think about that?

 

7. How do you feel about getting older? What are the good aspects of getting old and being an adult? On the other hand,  what are the bad things?

- As I'm growing up, I can have generous mind, wide point of view, and experience and learned how to deal with a person more than before. Doing lots of part-time-job, meeting various people and experiencing hard situation, I feel I'm more matured than before I was young. bad thing? I could see negative views in society, be crafty and feel more responsibility. Seeing ridiculous situation and crime, contacting a person in business and taking care of our family, I feel too heavy burden.

 

8. Finally, I want to know one of your precious memories about childhood. Let's share some beautiful stories and look back those days when we were innocent and sincere.