Close but Different: Taiwan vs. South Korea

There are distinct cultural differences between Taiwan and South Korea even though they are geographically close. Imagine being a Korean for a day, and that you are commuting to work. You’ll notice a lot of of people taking the public transportation. On arriving at work, you’ll understand that following the social norms of being both respectful and formal with your supervisor and elder colleagues is fundamental. After a long day at work, you can visit a traditional Korean restaurant, and tuck into a local meal and some sour, spicy and fermented ‘kimchi’ with the help of a pair of flat chopsticks. Now, whoosh you’re in Taiwan at the time when people are commuting to work. The very first thing that you will notice is the sea of motorbikes crowding the streets. When you reach work, the thing that will strike you is that the working environment in Taiwan is not as formal as that of Korea. During the evening after work, you can enjoy a meal with a slightly sweetened, mild flavor using round chopsticks. As the proverb goes, “when in Rome, do as Romans do.” We will always have to keep in mind the differences of rituals and habits between places, so that we could be more adaptable to any circumstances and live harmoniously with local people.

(Eri, Amelia and Kulas)