Eyes (I'ze) in Korea: Pics and Discussion

[FBM]

[FBM]

Back to CJ's question:

One thing that is very subtle, but something that I appreciate deeply, is that Koreans value harmonious relationships with others more than we tend to, and work harder to establish them. This is traditionally attributed to the influences of Confucianism and Buddhism, but who knows for sure, really? It could just as easily be that Koreans' value on social harmony is expressed through those things, rather than a result of them. Or somewhere in between. Anyway, if there's a difference of opinion or whatever, the last resort is to flatly contradict the other person, especially in a confrontational manner. Of course you have to take into account individual variation. I guess every country/culture has its share of overbearing douchebags. Also, just like us, when people become close friends, all bets are off. You can call each other 'motherfucker' etc with impunity. Also, just like us, Koreans have their own Internet tough guys/keyboard warriors.

Something else off the top of my head is that in conversation, periods of silence aren't uncomfortable for Koreans. It's natural to them, whereas we tend to avoid them to the point of saying stupid shit just to keep the flow of words going.

[FBM]

WTF moment of the day:

[Beelzebub2]

Is that Bodhidharma on the flag?

[FBM]

Is that Bodhidharma on the flag?

Yeah. Zen people worship the guy more than Buddha himself, seems. (when they shouldn't be worshipping anybody)

[Beelzebub2]

Is that Bodhidharma on the flag?

Yeah. Zen people worship the guy more than Buddha himself, seems. (when they shouldn't be worshipping anybody)

Yup, just like those crazy Catholics pray even more to St Francis, Virgin Mary or St Andrew than they pray to Jesus.

[FBM]

Is that Bodhidharma on the flag?

Yeah. Zen people worship the guy more than Buddha himself, seems. (when they shouldn't be worshipping anybody)

Yup, just like those crazy Catholics pray even more to St Francis, Virgin Mary or St Andrew than they pray to Jesus.

Bingo. SSDD. Took me a while to realize that, but better late than never.

[leo-rcc]

Is that Bodhidharma on the flag?

Yeah. Zen people worship the guy more than Buddha himself, seems. (when they shouldn't be worshipping anybody)

Yup, just like those crazy Catholics pray even more to St Francis, Virgin Mary or St Andrew than they pray to Jesus.

I don't see why not, the effect is exactly the same.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Buddhist religion is (almost) as full of shit as any other religion, but whatever keeps them happy:

I think we should give the guy on the right a big hand. (One at least. )

[FBM]

Buddhist religion is (almost) as full of shit as any other religion, but whatever keeps them happy:

I think we should give the guy on the right a big hand. (One at least. )

Shit! You mean their right. It took me a minute to figure that out.

[FBM]

Is that Bodhidharma on the flag?

Yeah. Zen people worship the guy more than Buddha himself, seems. (when they shouldn't be worshipping anybody)

Yup, just like those crazy Catholics pray even more to St Francis, Virgin Mary or St Andrew than they pray to Jesus.

I don't see why not, the effect is exactly the same.

Abso-fucking-lutely. But try telling them that.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Buddhist religion is (almost) as full of shit as any other religion, but whatever keeps them happy:

I think we should give the guy on the right a big hand. (One at least. )

Shit! You mean their right. It took me a minute to figure that out.

I had a bunch of pix like that, "hands tucked up". When I showed some slides in class one time I heard murmurs about "where's they're hands." I then came to a sign in Korean, and said, "This a notice of a very old law, with the penalty for picking your nose in public." Then I made a hatchet move on my wrist. Two girls and a guy fled.

[FBM]

Buddhist religion is (almost) as full of shit as any other religion, but whatever keeps them happy:

I think we should give the guy on the right a big hand. (One at least. )

Shit! You mean their right. It took me a minute to figure that out.

I had a bunch of pix like that, "hands tucked up". When I showed some slides in class one time I heard murmurs about "where's they're hands." I then came to a sign in Korean, and said, "This a notice of a very old law, with the penalty for picking your nose in public." Then I made a hatchet move on my wrist. Two girls and a guy fled.

If you don't mind, I'll steal that and use it next time somebody asks. AFAICT, there are only 3 traditionally-acceptable photographic hand positions in Korea: a) hands behind back, if you have status, b) hands in fig-leaf position, which is humble, or c) hands hanging by your sides, meaning, perhaps, that you're inbred.

[Beelzebub2]

Is that Bodhidharma on the flag?

Yeah. Zen people worship the guy more than Buddha himself, seems. (when they shouldn't be worshipping anybody)

Yup, just like those crazy Catholics pray even more to St Francis, Virgin Mary or St Andrew than they pray to Jesus.

I don't see why not, the effect is exactly the same.

Well, amazingly some religious loonies thought there is a difference, hence the whole iconoclast movement in Eastern Orthodox Church in the Byzantine period and in western Europe during the Protestant Reformation. Muslims are a peculiar story as well - they don't allow any kind of carved image of god, but they do worship black tektite Kaaba, which they kiss seven times, imitating Muhammad, who was apparently infatuated with that piece of maunted lava.

[FBM]

It's a streetlight.



It's got shit all to do with living in Korea, but I couldn't find The Gallery thread in the 15 seconds I spent looking, so here it is.