A link to our video we filmed last summer answering the frequently-asked question "Why do we choose to live in Canada and not Korea?" ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-hj0yL83Qw6Y.html 🇰🇷🇨🇦
I like the idea of cultural harmony where you inherit and adopt the cultural aspects that suit your tastes and preferences. You two seem to have demonstrated that in this video. It’s an interesting blend when you’re in an international relationship.
After observing Asian’s using sun umbrellas, I thought it was a great idea. A long time ago, ‘ladies’ used to use a parasol (sun umbrella). So I started using my pop up black rain umbrella when it was too sunny. It was great when watching the children’s baseball and soccer game. I did get a few looks and a couple of people would ask if I was expecting rain (with blue skies). I would answer “portable shade”. Most appreciated is as they sweltered under the sun, but would rarely use an umbrella themselves. At a backyard wedding ceremony, with no shade, I could see people getting very uncomfortable in heat. I rounded up 3 or 4 umbrellas. I would open each one as I handed them to people and they quickly clued in I was giving them shade. It was greatly appreciated.
Portable shade-exactly!! 🙌 It can get crazy hot in Korea in and around summer, and wow do these things make a huge difference in helping you feel cooler!
Good to see you guys again, watching on Sunday morning before work! It puts me in a good mood!❤ i think government processes take so long everywhere. I sent in my paperwork via mail, not even email😂 to amend my birth certificate and for them to send me a certified one, they said it will take 23 weeks….😅 and they’ve received my paperwork 6/14. Like what even….?!!!? Anyway, i like these videos on differences and similarities between you both and cultures, so informative and interesting. See you guys next week!
I don't know if people say or believe this in Canada and Korea, but couples who love each other and spend a lot of time together start looking alike - I mean literally phyiscally, and I can see that when I look at you two now - especially the part when Sarah's mom joked about Kyuho being disrespectful - the way you two laughed - to me you looked sooo similar 🥹😍😍 cuteee
Whenever, I go to a Chinese restaurant in Vancouver, there is a communal chop-sticks for picking food from plates on the table to put on your plate. Then you use your own chopsticks to eat.
Good talk guys. Side note: I started using an umbrella on sunny days this summer in Vancouver. Not only does it provide shade, more and more, I'm conscious of sun exposure and the need to protect the skin. There's a reason why Asians look younger!
Perhaps you guys are the best of both worlds? 😁 Also, props on the 10+ years, through the good and the hard times and the adjusting to a rice-heavy diet! My partner and I have been rocking the international married life for the same duration 🙂
I live in Korea for the past 3-4 years, and I think the habits I picked up from Korean culture are: 1) I give my stuff with two hands, I usually just have one hand bended but it has become such a habit of mine that I do it even when I go visit my homecountry. 2) I cover my mouth with my hand when I eat and speak at the same time. I actually like this habit, because I hate when someone eats and speaks at the same time and you can see the food they're eating. Other than that, I think I'm holding onto my Slovak culture pretty tight!
Well now we need to know what that “boundary breaking” conversation was! 😅 And I totally feel you Sarah on feeling “jealous” of Kyuho being able to just be himself around your family!! I feel the same way with my husband. His family of course loves me and doesn’t expect me to behave as if I too were Korean, but I guess I have a self-imposed rule of trying my best to live up to their expectations bc I don’t want to be rude!! Ugh it can be stressful!! Anyways, happy to see you guys having a relaxing summer ☀️
Great Video!!! My Wife and I been watching you guys for a few years now! She is Korean and I’m Canadian (french Canadian from Quebec) We currently living in Chungju and we opened a Pasta restaurant 3 years ago! We would love to meet you guys but we are moving back to Canada soon… if you ever planning to drive near Chungju please let me know 😊would be awesome to host you guys at our restaurant 😊😊
My husband is Korean and I lived in Korea for 6 years. I actually really miss the communal meal aspect, sharing dishes with everyone. I don’t mind swapping spit I guess 😂😅 I want to try everyone’s dish and enjoy the food altogether. My husband is the opposite, he likes to eat his own meal.
Thank you for this very interesting video. Love how the two of you have blended together so well. The interesting thing is, you don’t have to be from different countries to have cultural differences. I’m from Québec, and my husband is from New Brunswick. We have had to work through lots of cultural differences over our 40+ years together.
Really great video! I'm Chinese and my husband is Puerto Rican. Like you mentioned in the video about Asians don't do the whole embrace thing when they meet, it was like that for me when I met his family for the first time. I was born in the US but I still lived in a Chinese household. Took me more than a year to get comfortable giving close family members a kiss on the cheek as a greeting. We've been together 25 plus year including marriage so it's become normal for me. When my mom was alive and when we would visit her, the whole hug/kiss on the cheek thing still didn't happen. Even my husband knew it wasn't a thing and never tried it either 😆
I remembered when we were in Korea last summer. All the places that we went! The customer service was AMAZING! Quick, efficient and RESPECT from the employees! Since COVID, here (in Quebec), the service is bad, I can wait 30 min for a burger at McDonald’s (and the burger would miss an item)😅 And I prefer eating a salad with chopstick, it’s easier to grab what I want 🤣
When I was a kid living in Hong Kong, my grandma would bring umbrella with her whenever she went out. She used it as a shade when the sun came out and of course when it was raining. I’ve been living in Toronto for 35 years now and the number of times I literally used an umbrella is probably a handful of times or less, and for the longest time I didn’t even own an umbrella. I mostly drive so if anything I just run to my car. What I find interesting about Koreans using umbrellas is that they use it when it’s snowing, I’ve seen that in Korea (when I travelled there), in videos and here in Toronto too.
I don’t even eat in restaurants anymore (I’m in Ontario, GTA) because it’s such a time suck! It’s so true that it’s very inefficient. If you can’t afford to waste 2 hours minimum, don’t bother going to a restaurant.
Seriously, it’s ridiculous how much time you end up wasting 😩 We’ve totally stopped eating out at restaurants when we come to Canada-I think it’s been like 3 years now.
Since COVID, we started using more separate set of clean communal serving ware for the shared dishes instead of our personal chopstick and spoons. So for example the stir fry dish or grilled meat, we’ll have a pair of tongs and for like the stewed braised meat dishes we’ll have a dedicated serving spoon.. that way leftovers aren’t contaminated and we spread less germs that way too
Oh yes! We’ve definitely always done this with those food items using tongs and serving spoons :) It’s the many little side dishes in Korean cuisine where you need to use chopsticks that pose a little more of a challenge, as everyone would need two pairs of chopsticks (one serving pair, one personal pair) in order to prevent contamination.
@@2hearts1seoul I have seen more people flip their chopsticks around to use the non-eating end to pick up communal food. I even do it though I like to have a napkin just to wipe that end of the chopstick. It is a new etiquette I guess.
Living in Sweden for 11 years, I've become Swedified in a number of ways: I don't like people sitting w/me on transport, I avoid neighbors in the hallways, and I drink ridiculous amounts of coffee. I'm generally a lot more chilled tf out because there's no "rat race" here--I love the pace of life. Also, the Swedish aphorism, "Det finns inget dåligt väder, bara dåliga kläder" is something I've adopted even when I'm home in the US. I'm not sure what all about me that's uniquely American that's stayed with me, probably my friendliness? I've met people here that think it's a put on when I am genuinely interested in them.
I'm Chinese Canadian and my husband is Peruvian Canadian. I was not used to the kissing and hugging with his family and general casualness of the relationship with in-laws and in reverse he had to adjust to a more distanced relationship with my parents. I have spent a lot of time throughout east Asia and I still can't get used to the lack of personal space. Especially when standing in line I wasn't used to having the next person stand a foot away from me even though there wasn't anyone else in line! I very much relate to how you both feel!
Great video, it was very enjoyable to listen to you speak about the things that have changed and the things that have stayed the same. Personal space for me is a big thing and I really cannot tolerate anyone I don’t know touching me and people do actually do that especially at the grocery store, I will put my husband between me and the other person 😅. I think the patriarchal society would be difficult for me, because I feel as you do, that it prevents you from getting to know someone more deeply. And for myself I enjoy people and want to know them and feel comfortable being myself with them. But maybe it’s part of the reason the country is safer, because of that deep seated respect for others, that others would really look down on you for being so disrespectful to commit a crime. It kind of helps keep people in their place. I really did enjoy this video, I hope you’ll make another like this in the future. Glad your enjoying your Summer, my Aunt and Uncle and a few cousins are from Cape Breton. I haven’t been there since I was 10, but it was such a wonderful trip and such a beautiful place. Winters are pretty brutal though 🥶. Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip, who knows may one day I could visit Korea, it’s definitely a dream of mine and I love the language and hope learn how speak it, and write it. Have a lovely evening and thanks again for the video 🥰🥰
being Korean. and my wife from Hawaii. She said. she noticed that when Koreans eat. They serve the adults first. But in Hawaii, they feed the kids first. I personally feel that both ways are right now. I'm torn. How do you guys feel?
That’s so interesting! For Kyuho’s family when we’d all gather at his grandpa’s house for the holidays, grandpa would always be strictly served first. But when we eat at Kyuho’s parents house with his mom, dad, his sister and her husband and two kids-there are no rules regarding this and it’s just a free for all 😂
Growing up in an Asian household, my family (even my grandma's generation) always prepares a separate set of utensils on the table, even if we're just cooking for ourselves. It's more hygienic and the leftovers will not be contaminated too. That's why it's a big cultural shock when I see others sharing 'spits', especially in any liquid-y food like soup or ice cream. I just can't And Kyuho, please try Kawartha ice cream before going back to Korea if you haven't! It's a Canadian brand that uses milk from local farms! They have loads of flavours as well 😋 Enjoy the rest of the trip!
Hey 2 💕 1 🇰🇷! Another great Summer video, thanks for sharing! I love seeing your Summer adventures in Canada, and beyond. I currently have a young Korean friend living with me here in Oz🇦🇺, and we learn from each other every day. We Aussies love our small talk, but it's different from Korean greetings like "Have you eaten?" - When I first started chatting with Koreans on HelloTalk, I was so confused! Now I get it, it's like our "How's your day. G'Day, How ya goin". The respect towards elders is something I'm still adjusting to, especially since I'm older and my houseguest is much younger 😅 It makes me feel a bit awkward sometimes but slowly day by day she's embracing the Aussie way. Sarah, your mom's reaction to the misunderstanding about Kuyho's Mum's Canadian weight gain comment - I agree with your Mum, it initially sounded that way, so I was glad there was follow up there. As we Westerners don't comment on appearances so openly. We're the same here in Australia when it comes to personal space - and double-dipping? Big no-no! 😂 I can definitely see how chopsticks are better than forks in some situations, and Koreans have taught me that scissors are the way to go for cutting BBQ meats! Such a clever idea - Koreans are full of great ideas! Additional videos like these would be great for travelers to both countries! It's all about learning and embracing our differences and we can learn so much from each other 😊
The video made me think about my own upbringing. I was born in the PH but I grew up in a somewhat traditional (like kinda strict old school) Chinese household. So many rules and stuff, for example: only speak Chinese at home and etc. I even studied at a Chinese catholic school.😅 I was grateful for TV cause I was able to learn so many things about my country’s language and culture. But it wasn’t enough cause when I got to college, I never thought I would get culture shock.😂 I felt I was a bit naive even when I started working. Eventually, I was able to slowly blend together both cultures and was able to navigate more smoothly in my life here.
Wonderful video! I could relate with so many things you said, Sarah, as I have lived in Korea and am married to a wonderful Korean man. It's funny but sometimes I feel more Korean than Canadian! I prefer using chopsticks over a fork (especially when eating out at a buffet restaurant). I, too, find the customer service in Canada very lacking as opposed to Korean customer service (i.e. elevator personnel). Enjoy the rest of your stay with your parents and brother!
Here in Windsor, Ontario, you can see people just casually riding their bikes in the rain. I usually bring an umbrella when it's raining. Sometimes the weather app won't call for rain or it'll say it's raining when it's not and you'll be walking and then there's random downpour of rain and you'll see the caved in roads or parking lots turn into swimming pools. I don't know what umbrellas are like in Korea, but I don't think umbrellas sold in Canada are made for the weather here because when there's rain and wind they just fly up and get you drenched in rain. I had my bike stolen from outside of a Best Buy a few summers ago and I wanted to see the security camera footage to see who stole it and Best Buy said to call the police to view the footage because Best Buy apparently doesn't have access to their own security camera footage. I went to Poland for the first time in 2019 to meet some of (many) my aunts, uncles, and cousins for the first time, I exchanged money to spend there but I didn't really even spend much because they bought me everything and even gave me spending money and somehow I came back with more money than I exchanged.
8:15 우리의 삶이 더 빠르고 편해지는 것은 좋지만 보이지 않은 이면으로, 일하는 사람 대한 대우가 좋지 않은 어두운 현실도 있는 것 같아요. 아무튼 오늘 저녁에 app으로 우유를 사서 다음날 아침 새벽에 받을 수 있다는 사실은 누군가가 쉴틈 없이 일하고 있다는 뜻이니까요. 그래서 저는 ”한국은 일처리가 빨라서 좋다“는 말에 자부심이 없는 것 같아요. 조금 느려도 좋으니 여유로운 시선으로 바라보려는 노력도 중요해 보여요. 그래서 저는 사라님의 캐나다의 대한 설명을 들으며 너무 부러웠습니다 😊
맞아요...사실 소비자 입장에서는 좋지만 서비스를 제공하는 입장에서는 굉장히 압박감이 심하죠. 효율성 높은 시스템+퀄리티 좋은 서비스를 제공하기 위해 한국 사람들이 경쟁적으로 살 수 밖에 없는 것 같아요. 요새 쿠팡 배송기사나 에어컨 설치 기사분들 돌아가신 뉴스를 자주 봐서 더 안타깝네요. 새벽배송, 로켓배송 없을 때도 잘만 살았는데 말이죠ㅠ
I completely agree with not using your utensils to eat out of the same communal dishes! My husband and I are both from California, 1st generation Chinese (me) and Korean (him), where I grew up using serving utensils for the shared dishes at home. I don't know if it's just my family but in Hong Kong, a lot of nicer restaurants give you 2 pair of chopsticks (different colors) for this exact reason. His Korean family uses a single pair of chopsticks for everything. My husband got used to it with my family but with his family he has to constantly remind them to use communal chopsticks for grabbing food, especially when they eat with me or with my parents. Haha. I didn't research if this is true but my husband's cousin said there was an outbreak of Hep B in Korea many many years ago because of this reason where everyone's spit got into all the shared plates.
I know people everywhere love naps, but when I lived in Oaxaca, MX in 2005, I adored that mid-day naps/breaks were just a thing a lot of people did. Granted, it's not a thing anymore in most urban areas of MX -- and it'll never happen in the US -- but where I was living it was... and probably still is. Sure, it can be inconvenient if the restaurant or store you want to go to is closed, but a nap solves any problem. MNM: The More Naps Movement!
문화 차이 영상은 항상 재밌고 흥미롭네요ㅋㅋㅋ세라님이 말씀하신 personal space는 모든 서울 사람들이 똑같이 느끼는 고충일 것 같아요. 요즘 같은 날씨+출퇴근 시간+서울 지하철 한 번만 타면 누구나 공감할 문제죠😂저는 외국에 살아본 적은 없지만 스몰톡 문화랑 팁 문화는 절대 적응 안 될 것 같아요. 아 실내에서 신발 신는 것도요...
저도 스몰톡과 팁 문화는 아직도 잘 적응이 안되네요. 게다가 여기 노바스코샤에서는 모든 제품이 적혀있는 가격이 세금이 포함 안된 가격이라 결제할 때 15%가 붙은 가격이 뜨니 많이 당황 한적이 있어요. 남은 동전 딱 맞춰서 갔는데 바코드 찍으니 갑자기 금액이 안맞은 경험이 있네요 ㅋㅋ
I went to korea for a month this year and i live in England. Ive now started eating my rice out of a separate bowl, rather than putting all my food into one bowl.
Fun video. I also do not like my personal space invaded, unless it is someone very close to me. I used to love hugging but now am more conscious and only do that if the other person moves in first. Same thing with the cheek kisses. I would prefer air kisses or just a verbal greeting, bow or wave. I also do not like double dipping, so when we share dishes with extended family or friends, I (and actually others in our groups feel the same way and do the same things) get some additional chopsticks or spoons and forks and those are used just to serve food. I have also done the turn-the-chopsticks-around thing, which is ok, not great, and I always wipe the chopsticks afterwards to keep the handle end clean. So we always also have additional napkins, tissues and/or wipes.
😊 so fun to watch this! And many lol moments. The sharing food aspect for us is that we would have a set of communal cutlery (spoon/fork/chopsticks) to take food to our own bowls or plates. Also in Malaysia…it’s very common to actually eat with spoon and fork… yes, even to cut meat with a spoon and fork 💪 I’m still working that one out 😂
Oh my, me being from Brazil hearing about how you go into western country mode when it comes to security, boy do I feel that! But, I would dare to say, in a much deeper level. Latinos are built differently when it comes to self defense tactics and keeping your stuff safe from being robbed, we usually joke about it so we don't cry hahaha!! Loved the video as always, appreciate your perspective and the calmness with which you share your opinions!
I started using an umbrella in the sun when I saw Asians visiting my town using them. Omg the world of difference it made in the heat!!! I use it unabashedly now.
I think East Asian countries or countries with majority east asian population generally share the same way of doing things (eg. China/Japan/S Korea/S'pore). Eg. not wearing outside shoes into house, using the same personal utensils to dip into every dish where meal times at home are usu communal with various dishes shared, lack of caution by putting mobile, laptop, etc on the table while go to order food (those 4 countries above also have CCTVs and similar cultures, and are generally very safe), etc. But some societies have also changed their habits and practices. Eg in Singapore (where I'm from) and to a certain extent in China, Confucian practices such as respect for anyone who is older than oneself is no longer a given, it has to be earned. Also within the Chinese sphere, hierarchies are being torn down faster compared to S Korea which still has this younger/older honorific thing. Also in restaurants in Singapore, HK and even some places in China, they provide serving spoons/ladles/chopsticks for every dish, esp since covid pandemic. As for myself, a Singaporean Chinese, I've never liked everyone,e ven family members dipping their own chopsticks into any shared dishes, because I don't want to taste their saliva and it's not hygienic. I think Singapore is prob the most "westernised" asian country for the fact that we are not a homogeneous country and that we are educated in English from young.
Ooohh, this is so fascinating about the age hierarchy disappearing. In Korea it’s becoming a bit less ‘strict’, but it’s still very much present. I also never thought about how being educated in English from a young age may also have an impact on age hierarchy, since the English language doesn’t really have that ‘system’ built into it.
@@2hearts1seoul You could prob think in terms of how the chinese lang distinguishes kinship on dad's side and mum's side and who's older/younger by the terms/words they are addressed as. In English, it's just aunts and uncles, cousins, very simple. Honestly, because Singaporeans are educated in English from young, so even if we do greet elders, it's usually not in Mandarin (I still can't differentiate) but English. In fact, even random strangers who are much older than us we generally just call them uncle and auntie. The exceptions are if they are our much older colleagues, we will call them by the names we know. So we are kinda in the middle, not that traditional, yet still not calling for eg, parents-in-law by their names unless they are fine either way.
Toronto sounds more like Seoul so I think it’s where you live. The Maritimes is very different. Sarah have you ever been tested for Celiac Disease or wheat sensitivity.No need to answer but something to consider. In terms of adoption of cultural adoption. My husband is Chinese from Malaysia. Some interesting differences. I don’t open presents now in front of the person who gave me the present unless it’s immediate family. I accept people asking me about personal financial things ( I don’t necessarily answer though😊) without getting offended. That was hard for me when I married my husband in south east Asia because I was raised that asking about others personal finances was rude. And I also accept that others might ask me how much I paid for things. Again, I may not answer, but I don’t get offended and I try to be as laid back as possible. The hardest difference for me was being able to listen to a very traditional Chinese father in law say things like ‘my husband lets me do an advanced academic degree or anything without telling him off. My husband always cringes when his father says stuff like because he knows he will be buying me an expensive purse or something afterwards. 😅😅😅
Lithuanian living in uk for 16 years here: I get Kyuho so much, i hate small talks, its so fake and waste of time, and british loooooooove that so much, and because I work in retail my manager told me I supose to do that with customers as well and I just cant... however, I have got friendlier as Lithuanians are not friendly people, or smile or be nice to their customers, so that changed in me, and more smiling and friendlier. In Uk people dont really judge you as much, so I can be more myself. PS. Sorry Kyuho, but my reaction was exactly as Sarah's mum, I also thought you meant that your mother said that about Sarah's mothe, my jaw openned from disbelief, but Im glad this got clearned at the end😂 have a lovely time in Canada
I (Sarah) actually love a tiny bit (not going onnn and on 😅) small talk, because it makes me feel more of a sense of community or something? I don’t know-I never realized I missed it until I moved to Korea 🥲 Hahaha, yeah, it was worded in a very interesting way there 😂
Having a house is great! Having to maintain the house…That is a different beast, lmao, our A/C broke, we got it fixed, it worked for a day, and then blew a breaker and we have to have them back. It’s hotter in my house than outside of it lmao. And my yard is too much! BUT! I still love the peace and quiet more than an apartment. It’s so sweet how much Sarah’s parents are supportive of Kyuho that’s so cuuuute! LMAO Kyuho’s mooooom about his weight! In my early 20s, I was engaged to an Australian. I guess Australia doesn’t do small talk either and he was SOOO confused when I’d just chat with a random stranger in line at the grocery store. He was like what is the point?? You don’t know them? lol. I also lived near Baltimore, which..IYKYK, re: crime rate. And we were going to a convention downtown and someone cut us off and he leaned out the window and yelled at them and cussed them out and I panicked and was like “DON’T DO THAT THEY COULD HAVE A GUN AND SHOOT YOU” and he was like !?!?!?!?!?!?! Like that concept just does not exist in most places that aren’t the US, unfortunately (well unfortunately for us, fortunately for them). There were other little things but that is like two of the major ones I can remember. I’m with Sarah, double dipping is a big no-no and bro if you are at a party and someone double dips in the chips? Nah, that’s it, no more chips for anyone! lol. It’s sweet that you’ve been able to pick up habits that work for you and make it work.
Yeahhh, it’s definitely more work, but damn…it’s worth the peace 😮💨 That is so funny, because I had no idea about those aspects of Australian culture either 😂 I will never change my stance on double dipping-I’m definitely ‘Timmy’ in that episode of Seinfeld with the double dipping the chips “Just take one dip and END it!”.
Love your video and I have now got my wife (Korean) witching your videos. Background: I am from the U.S. my wife is Korean and we have been married 52 years living in the U.S. Things that make us the same and different. She eats a Korean breakfast each morning I eat an American breakfast. She handles the budget day one, she said it's a Korean thing, guys will drink or gamble the household funds. Our meals 100% American lunch, 80% American for dinner and 20% Korean, we would be eating more Korean meals, but they are expensive and time consuming. (her words) TV...50% Korean TV Animals in the house, no way...wife says animals are for the outdoors on a farm. She eats a bit more meat now and I eat a lot more vegetables. No shoes in the house, if my friends do not like it, they are not invited back. Food sharing at the table, I will not share chopstick spit at the table. So, when we go a Korean function, she will get what I eat on a plate before the sharing begins. My habit of snacking is only done at the sink.
I live in Halifax, bought a nice, heavy duty umbrella from Costco 4 years ago, it’s never been used, lol. It’s just too windy for umbrellas here usually
Also, people in Japan or Korea dress more conservatively than in Canada, specially ladies, you don’t see Korean wear leggings and short shorts or revealing tops in public, But in Canada it’s pretty normal. Also PDA is normal in Canada. 😂
This used to be the case in Korea around 10-ish years ago, but in Seoul, leggings, short shorts/skirts, and crop tops are alllll over the place! I’ve noticed a huge difference in that regard since I moved to Korea (when it was still rare to see women wearing sleeveless tops) 🇰🇷 Thank god, because I could NOT survive in the Korean heat otherwise 🥵
@@2hearts1seoul ah, good to know. I was in Soul 2018 and in japan last summer when there was heat wave, but I felt out of place in tank top on the street and on trains. generally younger people, like under 20 😂 are more open to shorts and tank tops.
I've been working for US companies for +15 years, so sometimes i feel that I'm the most americanwashed argentinian out here. it's a weird thing. because I've never lived abroad, but i speak the language and navigate the culture +40hs a week, every week for the last 15 years. that's a lot of immersion time 😅
I haven't lived in another country but I do think there can be cultural differences and such within a country too. I was born in NFLD and lived most of my chidhood in NB before moving to ONT as a teen and it felt like another world in Ontario compared to down east. This I was able to do in NB was not possible in Ontario. I find Eastern Canada is more laid back and less rude than in Ontario. I would love to be able to move back to NFLD but not an option for me, where I am there isn't much acces to nature if you don't have a vehicle. I am with Sarah on the sharing food thing. I have autoimmune conditions, with several food sensitivities and can get ill quite quickly so the idea of everyone sticking their chopsticks in all the dishes is a cross contamination nightmare and could make me quite ill and would take days to weeks to recover. No more potlucks for me. I have also become quite a germaphobe myself because it can take me a long time to recover from illness so I do not want people standing too close to me. I have seen videos of transit in Korea and it makes me queasy just thinking about how close people are. I am one of the rare Canadians that uses an umbrella/parasol in the sun and rain. I am super sensitive to light and the sun and unable to really wear sunscreen because it causes me to overheat. I made a parasol to use in the sun and I have been mocked for it by people because I am using an umbrella in the sun, it used to bother me but I am in my mid 40s and don't look my age so jokes on them. When I don't want to care the parasol, I have a huge hat that I wear (sometimes I will use together) and I have gotten so many strange looks for wearing it. I am trying to protect my skin. Of course North American still seems to be obsessed with the tan look. I prefer my pale, Victorian aesthetic and no skin cancer. I tend to avoid going out in rain since umbrellas are useless in the wind and jackets cause me to overheat.
My brother & sister in law in Japan have personal chopsticks (all different designs for each family member & guests) & others for serving, it works well imo but may be due to differences in Japanese & Korean meals. Oh & I don’t even live there but I’ve definitely picked up on the no shoes indoors thing. Even watching tv shows where a character has shoes on while sitting on a sofa or something makes me cringe. 😬
Looove this idea! 🥢🥢 Shoes indoors is UNACCEPTABLE! 🙅🏻♀️🙅🏻♂️ But honestly, I’ve not once been to a Canadian friend’s or relative’s house where people actually wear their shoes inside and then put their feet up on the couch or on the bed. I feel like it’s mostly just TV shows and movies 😅
Very interesting discussion! I have to agree with Kyuho... I prefer chopsticks (and I'm an American not of Asian descent). I use Korean style chopsticks ALL the time. As for the sun umbrella, I wonder if the cultural difference is in part from Asians preferring lighter skin and Westerners preferring that tanned look. Can't get a good tan with a sun umbrella, but considering the amount of skin cancer from sun exposure, better to limit it.
High trust societies like those in SK and JPN are both beautiful and fragile. There are lots of trade-offs to make it work, that's for sure. Are the tradeoffs worth it? Remind Where do you guys live again? lol
I'm from the Southern U.S. and we have a similar level of age hierarchy there. So as I've been learning more Korean, I feel like that's been easier for me to pick up vs. if I had grown up without it. It feels more inherently natural to me to have that. Of course the nuances are different (and I was not always perfect at it in my home culture anyway lol) but learning about the age heirarchy and politeness in Korean culture has also given me a new perspective on my own, which I really appreciate. Sharing a main dish and having a really fully table with side dishes is also a big thing at home too! Though the pickles at family gatherings were always sweet! I always tried to convince myself they would be dill that year for once because I prefer vinegary pickley things.
I'm pretty sure the Korean age hierarchy is much, much stricter. The entire Korean culture (family life, education, work...) is structured around it. You can't even call your older sibling by their name, even if they're one year your senior (and never _ever_ do that with your parents or any significantly older person, not even as a joke), drink alcohol/ smoke a cigarette facing someone older, critize them etc. etc. It's very different in the US.
@@2hearts1seoul Yeah, definitely not the same at all! I'm sorry I didn't realize I wrote my comment in a way that implied that until reading back. Age hierarchy isn't common in the U.S. at all as an overall culture (though there are so many depending on where you go) so I meant to just speak on the fact that it exists in the South. That was the commonality and I misspoke.
@@SatieSatie Yes, I didn't mean to say they're the same by any means. They are very distinct cultures. Just saying that being familiar with hierarchy in a different cultural context has been helpful for me vs. if I had grown up in a different area of the U.S., where age hierarchy is not a thing at all. Like in southern families, you also don't call older adults by their names unless they tell you to (and that would be rare). Kids don't jump into conversations or challenge what adults are saying, you always defer to the oldest person making sure they get food first etc. All of those social norms change depending on where you travel to within the U.S.
So....this might sound like a ridiculous suggestion but have y'all considered staying in Korea but outside of Seoul lol? A smaller city (ex. Busan, Ulsan) or more in the countryside where you could actually afford to live in an actual home and a yard? I probably don't have to tell you this but it's a lot more laid back and less of that ppali ppali culture/status thing outside of Seoul. I know, I know...crazy talk :)
Nope~ 😅 we prefer the convenience and endless options of living in Seoul :) We love visiting rural areas but prefer large city life where the infrastructure and cultural amenities are excellent.
I wouldn't compare Canada to Korea. You mentioned Seoul a lot but never your city in Canada. You can't really compare your life in a small city (I believe outside of Halifax) to all of Canada.
We weren’t comparing Korea to Canada. We were listing of a few light-hearted ‘traits’ in general that Koreans or Canadians often have that we have at least somewhat adopted :) I’m curious which of the traits we listed that you’d disagree with since we live in Seoul, but stay in the Halifax area (10-15 minutes away, to be exact)? I’ve spent a lot of time going to school and working with Canadians from all across the country and notice no major differences. But I always love to hear ‘trait differences’ about other areas of Canada! 🇨🇦
9:32 wait... if u cant call out for service then how are you supposed to seek assistance when u need help from service staffs? are u expected to wait til they walk by or wait til they notice you....
@@2hearts1seoul oh no, i mean "cool, thanks for sharing this with me :) so i learnt and be watchful not to make that mistake in Canada if i ever have the chance to travel there" 😉
Really a good conversation. You said so many things I relate with and agree. My husband was Swedish and we lived about half of our 30 years together in Sweden and half in the U.S. We recognized the impacts and changes from cultural differences. My husband passed in 2020 and I’m living the small town life in U.S. now, but, I’m forever changed in some aspects of my life and even who I am through years of living in Sweden, England and Italy. I say STAY OPEN, but “don’t throw out the baby with the bath water”, and, you can find your best self and your best life. ❤
I just found you two and love the energy. My daughter left the SF Bay Area and married an Australian. She has lived in Tasmania for over 14 years and loves it. WE love it there too! Will look forward to seeing more of your videos.
I'm from the southern US, married to a Swede, and we lived in Scotland for 6 years. Places that are adjacent but not quite the same culturally. Generally speaking, Swedes aren't friendly with strangers like Scots and southerners can be, so having random people start making small talk with my husband while at the grocery store or anywhere else in public took him a while to get used to. This also applies to approaching and offering help to strangers, with Swedes more likely to be a bit wary or just go about their business (not out of meanness obviously, more like just minding their own business) whereas the other two groups are more likely to go out of their way to stop and ask if you're okay, if you need directions, etc. The stereotype of Nordic aloofness has roots in reality lol. But amongst family the dynamic is pretty much what I'm used to in the US. While traveling internationally, the joke is always that you know when you're on an American leg of your journey when people start making small talk with each other at the gate or on the plane. Without fail. 😂
As a Korean I definitely don’t like double dipping into banchan or soups. I understand why culturally though. I actually do what Sarah suggested using a dedicated chopstick for banchan if I invite my none Korean friends to a Korean restaurant. I also agree that the age thing definitely does limit your ability to communicate with all types of people. However even in the US, ageism is prevalent on a side note.
Hello guys! I'm always waiting for you to post your videos, they make me so happy and calm at the same time... I know this is so random, but I just learned that there's an important Titanic Museum in Halifax, have you guys been there? or if you like or have time, can show us around? Hope you get to enjoy your stay in your hometown!
Hello! I (Sarah) have been to the museum a few times that features an area showcasing some Titanic artifacts, and it’s pretty neat :) We don’t have time to go there and film, unfortunately, since we’re leaving for Korea soon ✈️
Mine is while living in South Korea I missed the simple thing as opening a door for a stranger and getting a simple thank you for doing so, and vice versa. I then stopped opening the doors for other in the US and people would give you a glare for letting the door close on them. Had to relearn that simple courtesy when I got back.
I too thought for a few seconds that Kyuho was saying Sarah's mom had gained weight.... I was like "Say what now"? LOL.....so glad there was clarification LOL.... Another great vid and very interesting subject. Great job as always !
@@2hearts1seoul Absolutely. Thanks again for such great content. I really enjoy your videos especially today's video. Having had been in an interracial/intercultural relationship (until my partner's unexpected passing) I can definitely see where you guys are coming from. I look forward to more of your great videos!
Hey Sarah and Kyuho! I adore your vlogs :) so calm and pleasant. I would love to visit Canada when I can afford it, the nature you've shown is so gorgeous, especially in the last video.
While not international, people from the same country with different ethnic groups also share this. My paternal side hated my mother because of her ethnic group, yet we are all South African. 😢
About the chopsticks thing, the Chinese do that, we would sometimes have a few communal chopsticks to grab food and place it in our bowls so we don't have to "share spit", then we use our personal chopsticks for eating
So interesting! For the first point about physical contact in greetings, I agree but one thing I really noticed while in school with Koreans in the Netherlands, many sit, walk and stand so much closer to you compared to other people in our international school. This was really something I noticed. As if personal space is smaller in Korea. I think it's sweet, but it was definitely something I had to get used to. As someone from the Netherlands we use umbrellas for hard rain but we also cycle through it lol. We laugh at sun umbrellas. But let me tell you, when I was in Seoul at the beginning of July....maaaaan did I appreciate my friend who shared a sun umbrella with me because wow... The humidity is something hard to deal with, but while standing in the blasting sunshine... that's a whole other level!!!! Better bring those sun umbrellas!!!
OMG! I feel the same thing about sharing spits on food. But most people in my country don't mind about that and some people would joke or give inconsiderate comments about me needing another spoon for every dish we were sharing.😒
