tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154452806180550551.post3547409070741978886..comments2024-03-25T00:00:03.876-07:00Comments on South Korea Inside Out/Australia Inside Out: What Should Make Us Feel Proud About Our Country?Smudgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00449129060365290678noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154452806180550551.post-54335178876499477232014-02-01T03:54:42.042-08:002014-02-01T03:54:42.042-08:00All countries have their flaws. I agree with you o...All countries have their flaws. I agree with you on the subject that pride should not come from material wealth. I also agree with you that ethical values are important in developing countries. But, as you take pride in your country as a true Englishman should, Koreans have a sense of pride in their country just because they are Korean. I am sure that China and Korea have a long way to go in their advancement of ethical values and practices. But, the reason why people gather in front of their televisions to watch the Olympics or the World Cup is because they love their country and take pride in their country because their identities come from their mother lands. Like a child loves his or her parents, Koreans and the Chinese love their country. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14310626743249203510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154452806180550551.post-57683149469962420482013-03-23T01:38:47.052-07:002013-03-23T01:38:47.052-07:00While it does vary from industry to industry, I do...While it does vary from industry to industry, I do think that a lot of this is long lunches, nap times, desk-warming etc. That is certainly how it seems to work in the public schools anyway. For Koreans I think it can depend on your age and seniority within the company as to how much work you do in a day. New to the job or young and you can be rushing around while the elders put their feet up.Smudgerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00449129060365290678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154452806180550551.post-78361063896404484052013-03-22T06:56:25.218-07:002013-03-22T06:56:25.218-07:00First, you shouldn't accuse someone of having ...First, you shouldn't accuse someone of having a dangerous mouth because they are white. That wins you no favors. Second, if people are tired of being too nice or too kind, it would be more because of the Confucian based society that Asians themselves have cultivated (in China or Korea at least). I have had quite a few Korean friends and they become endeared to me because we talk on a personal level, no restrictions based on age, which they don't encounter. We learn a bit from each other when we take the ego out of the way. Which is how it should work. <br /><br />I have a question you guys on the ground can answer...maybe...most of my friends are in school or are searching for full time jobs in Korea. I have one that has just started one of those 12-16 hour a day jobs...but he doesn't really tell me a lot about what goes on. I know Korea ranks quite low in productivity (or did). So how many of these long hours are actually work hours? I've always heard about long lunches, naps, long dinners....I am sure this varies from industry to industry of course. Maybe some could shed light on this.Joey Pnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154452806180550551.post-3396845899069627792013-03-18T08:22:25.640-07:002013-03-18T08:22:25.640-07:00@steven on economy: If you don't think so, the...@steven on economy: If you don't think so, then you need read up your economy. Even now, China struggles because of lack of investors, and even a decline in the produce of goods, mainly due to it's pseudo capitalist planned economy, and mixed cultural influences. There's a lot more background work than just "cheap goods" being sold.<br /><br />Another note to Steven: "Influenced Japan indirectly" assumes choice on behalf of Japan, and indeed it was by choice, and not manipulation that Japan attacked China. However, before any of that, foreign traders, and shippers suffered sabotage and civil attacks encouraged by the government at that time. AFTER that came the Meiji restoration, with some of the most bullshit political obligations ever, military expansion included, true.<br />Western occupation of Indo-Asia, protecting established trade agreements with the China sovereignty, turned Japan away from conquering more of China, and preventing them from attacking further.<br />Western interference was what STOPPED Japan, not the one that encouraged it. Roosevelt received a nobel prize for his efforts at stabilizing Asia.<br />Even despite US attempts to compromise with territory dispute, war broke out anyway between Japan and Russia, which led to the Treaty of Portsmouth. Blame the west all you want, i don't care, but I wouldn't blame a wife for having an obese husband, because she doesn't hide the cookie jar.<br /><br />Indo-Asians suffered the longest and most from the colonialism, by the way, and they are no where near as butthurt as Korean or Japanese nationalists.<br />Korea's hostility of past events, is an embarrassment to the friendship of, for example, Scandinavian countries, which have had past rivalries for longer than Korea's actual existence.<br /><br />Chris is right. South Korea needs to change. Not for anyone else's sake, but for it's own sake. SK stands to lose far more, than the countries it deals with. Infamisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16196670296560845383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154452806180550551.post-6487528267861624772013-03-17T21:03:07.848-07:002013-03-17T21:03:07.848-07:00Your knowledge of colonial history obviously trump...Your knowledge of colonial history obviously trumps mine but the post wasn't really about the past but the here and now. Granted the past explains the here and now but it would require a hell of a lot of explaining on a blog post. Even with this good point in mind, I do believe there is a link between a culture that values status and the group over the individual and the mistreatment of people. I think that is there regardless of what happened in the colonial past. This is why I worry about forward motion in some areas.<br /><br />I am constantly frustrated when people say that because I am white that my opinion is dangerous or from a poor perspective or even racist. What does that matter. I would not care if an Asian came to my country and criticised some aspects of it. In fact we should all welcome criticism as long as it is sincere and does not require us to step on or hurt people. The sooner we all take the colour of our skins out of the picture the better. The point is race should mean nothing, but culture really does because this is how people think and act, so it is not outside criticism for this reason and sometimes it takes and outsider to notice it. What if I told you my Korean wife wrote this piece, would that make a difference? She didn't but she could have, as she shares my opinion after reading it.<br /><br />This is a tricky post to write because it is obvious that Western culture is far from perfect and individuals are all different of course. In fact, I will even go a step further and say Western culture has a lot more to answer for because of many past crimes. Which is the best way now though, that's what I was asking, who is closer to having the desired way for a better future? Maybe the West have made all the mistakes in the past and perhaps the people have learned something from them.<br /><br />Smudgerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00449129060365290678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154452806180550551.post-86638792563435454902013-03-17T21:01:28.281-07:002013-03-17T21:01:28.281-07:00This was a difficult piece to write as it sounds l...This was a difficult piece to write as it sounds like a case of 'my culture is good and yours is bad.' The West undoubtedly has many many problems also but there is no doubt from my experience living in Asia, that generally people do not prioritise well-being of others, and even themselves. Most people are, worryingly, highly concerned about what others think of them and this translates to a national level also as the different cultures take a collective pride in themselves that strays from patriotism to a kind of nationalism and a refusal to accept much criticism. I think this creates an overly stubborn clinging to of traditions and grudges best left in the past and is why progress appears to be slower in some areas of morals. <br /><br />The cause seems to be a combination of group and status culture and a feeling of insecurity and frustration at the past (some of which the commenter below points out). Regardless of the reasons, however, things do need to change.Smudgerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00449129060365290678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154452806180550551.post-65378860434355034282013-03-17T19:07:11.312-07:002013-03-17T19:07:11.312-07:00I hardly think so, basically China is the producer...I hardly think so, basically China is the producer of cheap goods and the west and US depends on it.<br /><br />and China economic growth is still strong despite the downturn from US and Europe.Stevennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154452806180550551.post-52612508300732169302013-03-17T19:06:23.283-07:002013-03-17T19:06:23.283-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.stmendwarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07691717920586107501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154452806180550551.post-25473059473456013862013-03-17T19:04:34.135-07:002013-03-17T19:04:34.135-07:00Very nice post from an Englishman perspective, as ...Very nice post from an Englishman perspective, as an East-asian(in order to avoid unwanted things some people may associate with one's nationality), you failed to mention how asia was under Europe colony for centuries, how europe influence Japan indirectly to counquer Asia ( search Meiji Restoration), and in this case which Korea suffered the most, how the West invaded China, how asian people idolised white looks. <br />Surely , asia has its bad and no one can denies it(as you mentioned in the post). But still, it is the effect of colonialism for centuries. Asian people are tired of being too kind, tired of being tolerant in the past. So that's why.... <br />And also, the style of speech from a white person is seriously sweet, but dangerous. That's why europe can invade and colonise asia for such a long time. No offence...<br />well, that's my opinion.<br />thank youStevennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8154452806180550551.post-50051017467517453902013-03-17T04:37:54.597-07:002013-03-17T04:37:54.597-07:00Good post, and nice to see something as volatile a...Good post, and nice to see something as volatile as this subject to be theoretically concluded.<br /><br />It's difficult subject to converse about. I'm slightly disheartened over China and Korea thinking the west would respect them out of pure status.<br />The west have made it a key point in it's progression, to value not just professional or commercial production, but also social produce. Not being obstructive of others, or outright just being empathic and caring. It's something that shouldn't be as alien as respect cultures make it seem. <br /><br />Korea blindingly overvaluing status and power makes me want to bring up the Soviet Union. You know, just to amusingly mess with their cognitive reality.<br /><br />Quick economic note on China though: China is far more dependent on USA, than USA is dependent on China. WHEN the dollar collapses, China is gonna get belly blow to it's own economy. Infamisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16196670296560845383noreply@blogger.com