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showing affection to friends in korean culture

culturequestion
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Posts: 2
Joined: April 20th, 2009 6:09 pm

showing affection to friends in korean culture

Postby culturequestion » April 20th, 2009 6:15 pm

What is the general view on showing affection to friends in korea?
i had a korean friend caress my face and sit very close to me/lean on me and found this a little odd.

Would these just be signs of friendship? I am American and trying to understand.

holdfast
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Posts: 337
Joined: December 15th, 2007 3:45 am

Postby holdfast » April 21st, 2009 12:08 am

between friends of the same gender, physical affection is very common. you will often find people walking down the street holding hands or with their arms linked, etc. touching someone (even on the face) isn't a big deal either, as long as it is the same gender. however, physical affection of any kind with the opposite gender is kind of taboo - even for people who are dating or married. you will rarely see people kissing or anything like that in public in korea.

us westerners really like our personal space, so it can seem a little strange at first, but it is very normal in korea. i personally am completely used to it now, and often find myself arm in arm walking down the street with a friend. i guess my personal space bubble has gone away heh.. ^^
안녕하세요~ 에밀리입니다~~ ^^
korean blog: http://holdfasthope.wordpress.com
youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/sendmetokorea
skype: holdfastemily

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culturequestion
New in Town
Posts: 2
Joined: April 20th, 2009 6:09 pm

showing affection to friends in korean culture

Postby culturequestion » April 21st, 2009 12:37 am

What if the Korean person is "straight" and the other friend of the same sex is openly "gay" and said Korean person is aware of this?

Would the touching of face still occur?

Chris1
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Joined: November 5th, 2008 1:23 am

Postby Chris1 » April 21st, 2009 1:44 am

Obviously, it's difficult to say 55-60 million people are the same in one way or another, but, as Emily said, it's culturally common.

holdfast
Expert on Something
Posts: 337
Joined: December 15th, 2007 3:45 am

Postby holdfast » April 22nd, 2009 12:15 am

it would probably still occur, in my opinion. in korea, there are not many openly gay people, so this person probably wouldn't know that touching could send mixed signals. but, that is just my opinion.
안녕하세요~ 에밀리입니다~~ ^^
korean blog: http://holdfasthope.wordpress.com
youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/sendmetokorea
skype: holdfastemily

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