B eing a solamente girl traveller anywhere within the global globe is sold with its quirks. Every nation has specific values and objectives about how precisely ladies should work, gown and talk. Southern Korea isn’t any exclusion. I’m presently surviving in Seoul for the semester abroad at Kyung Hee University, nevertheless the greater part of my training has result from not in the class room.
Brief is okay, low is certainly not
The very first thing we noticed about Korean females ended up being just exactly just how high the neckline of these tops is. Spaghetti-strap summer dresses are used over tees. Oversized sweaters and billowy blouses are every-where, even yet in the heat that is smoggy of August. One thing said that this might be significantly more than a fashion that is mere, and I’m right.
In Korea, showing the collarbone is known as too sexy, since the feminine upper body is observed to be distinctly not the same as the chest that is male. But, the shortest shorts, skirts and dresses are appropriate. Another fashion that is korean (and my favourite) is couples that are dressed match, gf and boyfriend using the exact same tops, sweaters and color of trousers to freely show that they’re together.
We attempt to dress respectfully, but We don’t always be successful; the majority of my tops, that we brought from your home, show my collarbone. We have certainly gotten a couple of stares that are harsh the older generations while riding the subway. I don’t have actually the normal small Korean framework, and Korea has a вЂone-size fits all culture that is. If you discover a shop with little, medium and options that are large you’re probably in H&M or even a tourist area, such as for instance Itaewon. And regrettably, precious Korean boutiques seldom permit you to put on clothing into the shop. Buying clothes let me reveal hence a challenge for me personally.
Beauty comes first
In Korea, being gorgeous is very important. You have to be attractive if you hope to land a job or find a romantic partner. Also guys utilize beauty items, including specialty male makeup. Instead of motivating variety, cookie-cutter conformity is desired, and cosmetic surgery is typical. Whether it is an eye lift as a вЂsweet 16’ birthday celebration present or perhaps a вЂvacation’ that leads to a new look, modifications that produce the nose greater, eyes wider or chin more V-shaped are praised.
As being a tall female that is white Korea, I have stared at a whole lot. Korean’s aren’t afraid to touch upon the way you look, whether or not it’s as you aren’t using makeup or they believe your ensemble is unflattering. I’ve never been the kind of woman to spend around 30 minutes cleaning my face during the night, but I’ve completely dropped for the 10-step Korean beauty routine. It seems ridiculous, but pampering my skin before We get to sleep is my brand new way that is favourite practise self-love.
Toilet culture
This might be certainly the most difficult component about surviving in Korea as being a female that is foreign. You can find lot of distinctions in terms of вЂdoing your company’ in this country. For beginners, toilet tissue goes into the garbage can, maybe maybe not when you look at the toilet. (Yeah, i believe it is form of gross).
While you can still find some squat toilets around, you won’t be hard-pressed to get a toilet that is western particularly in Seoul. Some toilets seem like RoboToilets through the future, with selection of buttons to spray your base, dry yourself or play music, according to your choice.
Public toilets in subway channels have become clean (and they’re liberated to make use of, unlike in other elements of the globe). Many restaurants share their lavatory with neighbouring organizations, it is therefore usually positioned outside or up a journey of stairs. The whole restroom in my dorm space functions as my bath. There’s a shower nozzle attached to the tap tap, hanging over the sink. I have to close the bathroom door and remove anything I don’t want to get wet when I shower. The restroom, walls and flooring end up soaked always.
While things are undoubtedly various in Seoul when compared with life home in Canada, they’re not always better or worse. Wantmatures mobile We am being employed to eating with flat steel chopsticks, finding my method round the metro, and investing additional time ( and money) than in the past moisturising my epidermis. As being a female that is foreign we find Seoul become among the best, liveliest & most culturally-intriguing places I’ve ever lived. Now only if I am able to find collarbone-covering shirts my size.