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Culture Shock!
Culture Shock! Korea: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette
Information and background for travelers and expatriates includes a brief history and description of the country, along with facts about the food, language, culture, and pastimes to help the "shocked" function in society, business, and residence.
262 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 29, 2012
Given that this book is ten years out of date and generally geared toward upper-middle-class businessmen, I wasn't sure how much of its content would be relevant to me as I prepare to enter this totally unfamiliar culture. In spite of these things, however, this succinct little gem of a book managed to cover a lot of ground with a certain timeless transcendence, and though I can't yet speak to its accuracy (I'll get back to you), I will say that it left me feeling much more prepared and at ease about the cultural transition than I thought I would.
Written by an American expat and her Korean husband, this guidebook largely conceals their biases, with the exception of some overly emphatic language regarding the severity of breaking social mores (though I suppose it's possible I'm wrong, and accepting a glass with only one hand *would* be a "humiliation"). A certain exasperation with the cultural oppression of women signposts Mrs. Hur's voice in the book. But in the end, "Culture Shock: Korea" is hones,t engaging, and a wonderfully comprehensive preparation for social existence in South Korea.
Written by an American expat and her Korean husband, this guidebook largely conceals their biases, with the exception of some overly emphatic language regarding the severity of breaking social mores (though I suppose it's possible I'm wrong, and accepting a glass with only one hand *would* be a "humiliation"). A certain exasperation with the cultural oppression of women signposts Mrs. Hur's voice in the book. But in the end, "Culture Shock: Korea" is hones,t engaging, and a wonderfully comprehensive preparation for social existence in South Korea.
May 12, 2012
Due to my recent enjoyment of korean drama and kpop I was tempted to pick up this title off the new books shelf at my library. While it did provide me with some interesting facts there were several aspects of the book that annoyed me. Firstly it is very American and assumes complete ignorance of anything foreign. It also appears to be written more for people being transferred to korea for work that dont really want to be going there. Even if you fit into one of the afore mentioned groups you may find the writing annoyingly conversational and peppered with useless anecdotes. Many facts are repeated under different headings which pissed me off as i read it cover to cover in one sitting. I also found many passages quite backward (such as suggesting a korean in a us college might be unpopular cos their kimchi stinks out the fridge) leading me to question how many revisions were made to this new 2011 edition. Holiday travellers should probably seek out the lonely planet guide for more concise and useful info..
September 9, 2017
I read this book for work, to get an idea of how my Korean students are viewed in the eyes of westerners (so we can talk about it in an upcoming class).
It was fully disappointing. Not only was the information extremely outdated (it was probably outdated a few years after publication), it also was largely not about "customs and etiquette" as the subtitle claimed.
The biggest problem was how it glossed over negatives. There are serious ways in which westerners essentialize Koreans and Koreans essentialize westerners. These stereotypes and assumptions create huge barriers in cross-cultural communication. This book completely glossed over them, over-emphasizing the positives and framing everything in a positive light. There is bad with the good, and it doesn't do well to ignore it.
It was fully disappointing. Not only was the information extremely outdated (it was probably outdated a few years after publication), it also was largely not about "customs and etiquette" as the subtitle claimed.
The biggest problem was how it glossed over negatives. There are serious ways in which westerners essentialize Koreans and Koreans essentialize westerners. These stereotypes and assumptions create huge barriers in cross-cultural communication. This book completely glossed over them, over-emphasizing the positives and framing everything in a positive light. There is bad with the good, and it doesn't do well to ignore it.
March 11, 2014
Insightful, but Korea is changing so quickly, it was outdated rather fast. Advice like "Don't wear shorts" was contrary to what I saw in korea myself. I would also not suggest this book to anyone who hadn't already been to korea, to know what they meant.
Furthermore, there was a heavy concentration on the korean workplace as experienced by men, which of course was no help to me whatsoever.
I also found many typing errors, even to the point of one sentence saying something was appropriate when it should have said it was inappropriate. Thats the kind of error that causes confusion and cant be looked over.
Furthermore, there was a heavy concentration on the korean workplace as experienced by men, which of course was no help to me whatsoever.
I also found many typing errors, even to the point of one sentence saying something was appropriate when it should have said it was inappropriate. Thats the kind of error that causes confusion and cant be looked over.
September 13, 2007
I really enjoyed reading this. It is by no means an encyclopedic study on Korean culture, but it's quick and dirty style gives you exactly what you need to know to not make an ass of yourself in Korea.
It had the added bonus of explaining a few things about why I act the way I do, having been raised by my Korean mother.
It had the added bonus of explaining a few things about why I act the way I do, having been raised by my Korean mother.
July 12, 2012
This gets a "5" for content, but every page, sometimes every paragraph had a typo. it was like they rushed it off without reading it through before sending it to be printed. I read this aloud to my husband over many nights in preparation for our trip to Korea, and it is definitely chock full of useful information, both for a tourist and an expatriate. But the typos drove me nuts.
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November 12, 2023The edition of this book that I read was printed in 2008, and it seems that the most recent edition is from 2012. As such, there is a lot of information in this book that is well out of date in regard to technology and ways of doing things as an expat.
That being said, there is still useful information to found in this book. The history of Korea and its culture is still relevant and unchanging. And modern customs which are changing, will still find their origin and history in what was done in the past. While much of this information can be obtained online, watching vloggers from Korea, this book offers explanations for certain behaviors that many vloggers will not be able to give.
I think that this book is most helpful is skimmed, reading what is useful to you and ignoring what isn't.
That being said, there is still useful information to found in this book. The history of Korea and its culture is still relevant and unchanging. And modern customs which are changing, will still find their origin and history in what was done in the past. While much of this information can be obtained online, watching vloggers from Korea, this book offers explanations for certain behaviors that many vloggers will not be able to give.
I think that this book is most helpful is skimmed, reading what is useful to you and ignoring what isn't.
January 30, 2019
This book is written for people who are planning to live in Korea. There are many commentaries for expatriates who plan to live in that country. The book is a quick read. The explanation of the Korean characters is an excellent starter for someone who would like to be able to read signs in Hangul.
There is a good coverage of native customs, traditions and expectations.
There is a good coverage of native customs, traditions and expectations.
March 2, 2023
A bit dated but still a useful guide for anyone about to relocate to Korea. The illustrations and photos fit well with the book and the chapters were divided into appropriate subjects such as “Doing Business in Korea” and “The Korean Way of Seeing”. Although the book does at times generalize, it still appears to be a helpful guide to any foreigner going to Korea.
March 29, 2021
This is a good crash course in Korean culture and customs. The only issue I had with it was that it was created to focus on expatriates instead of just people visiting. Still packed with a lot of info that could be useful to anyone going there.
May 7, 2012
For being an introductory read, this book rocks my socks. I highly recommend this book for beginners of the language, expatriates, Koreanists, people with Korean travel plans and anyone doing business in any form with Koreans. It's that good. I've read my share of culture books and resources but I feel that this book (namely, this edition) demystifies several Korean cultural idiosyncrasies in a clear way that is easy for anyone to understand.
I applaud the authors for including a do-and-don't list. I feel that this helps clear up some questions left by other resources. It's true, most things Korean-related (as with any culture) usually aren't cut-and-dry and objective enough to make a list but I still feel that the authors were tasteful and appropriate in their advice.
This book kind of reminds me of a cross between Moon Handbooks: Korea and Culture Smart!: Korea rolled into one. There's useful info on holidays, work ethic, psyche, travel destinations, and living abroad. This book deserves a look. It's a quick read with pleasing aesthetics and well-divided topics.
You'll thank yourself later for this one.
This is by far the most helpful teeny tiny book you can buy for Korean culture. Period. It's blazingly simple but accurate and applicable. Buy it, read it and pat yourself on the back for such a small investment. As a absolute first book for anyone wanting to anything about Koreans, start with this one and move on from there. Even for those who have been here for a while, there is surely bound to be something useful. Buy it now you fool.
I applaud the authors for including a do-and-don't list. I feel that this helps clear up some questions left by other resources. It's true, most things Korean-related (as with any culture) usually aren't cut-and-dry and objective enough to make a list but I still feel that the authors were tasteful and appropriate in their advice.
This book kind of reminds me of a cross between Moon Handbooks: Korea and Culture Smart!: Korea rolled into one. There's useful info on holidays, work ethic, psyche, travel destinations, and living abroad. This book deserves a look. It's a quick read with pleasing aesthetics and well-divided topics.
You'll thank yourself later for this one.
This is by far the most helpful teeny tiny book you can buy for Korean culture. Period. It's blazingly simple but accurate and applicable. Buy it, read it and pat yourself on the back for such a small investment. As a absolute first book for anyone wanting to anything about Koreans, start with this one and move on from there. Even for those who have been here for a while, there is surely bound to be something useful. Buy it now you fool.
September 28, 2012
Wow! I just found this book in my university library and it's kinda hard to found because our library is just merged.
This book is not written by Korean people. As we know, if we read the author profile in the back part of this book. The author is Vietnam people and he's searching a lot about Korean culture and other habits that we must know if we want to know about Korea.
I really appreciate the author because he can find so many things that might you can't find in internet if you search about Korean culture. I would like to give five star to this book. But, because it served in English language, I give four star. Kekeke. Kind of creepy, right? Yeah.. I think it will be a good book if one of our publisher translate it to bahasa and make some people more know about Korea. Not only the beautiful thing about this, but also the bad thing. :D
This book is not written by Korean people. As we know, if we read the author profile in the back part of this book. The author is Vietnam people and he's searching a lot about Korean culture and other habits that we must know if we want to know about Korea.
I really appreciate the author because he can find so many things that might you can't find in internet if you search about Korean culture. I would like to give five star to this book. But, because it served in English language, I give four star. Kekeke. Kind of creepy, right? Yeah.. I think it will be a good book if one of our publisher translate it to bahasa and make some people more know about Korea. Not only the beautiful thing about this, but also the bad thing. :D
November 22, 2012
A good, general introduction to Korean culture. I learned a lot about the intrinsic parts of Korean culture and customs, and even a little history. The chapter about Korean holidays was especially memorable. It is, however 20 years put of date and I believe it is safe to say that many things regarding education, marriage/dating, youth culture, fashion, and the role of women have changed, if even in small ways. Not to mention I'm sure there are more expatriates living in Korea in 2012 than there were in 1992. The book is also blatantly targeted toward upper-class families or Businessmen, which made the frequent references to "your secretary" and "your maid" kind of strange. Overall, a great comprehensive book that I'm sure will help anyone in the long run.
October 3, 2013
The Culture Shock! series covers a large number of countries all over the world and and focuses on the aspects of a foreign culture that are the most unfamiliar or hard to deal with for American travelers. Given the depth and detailed explanations of the people and culture of a particular foreign country, these books are geared more towards expatriates than to travelers.
Culture Shock! Korea provides a very good overview of the Korean people and culture and addresses issues that an American expat living in Korea might expect to deal with. Topics covered include: the Korean people, communication, social behavior, traditional and modern customs and business practices.
Culture Shock! Korea provides a very good overview of the Korean people and culture and addresses issues that an American expat living in Korea might expect to deal with. Topics covered include: the Korean people, communication, social behavior, traditional and modern customs and business practices.
July 30, 2011
A bit dated now, but some really good information about how to adjust to life in Korea, interacting with Koreans, participating in holidays and celebrations... but he focuses quite a bit on the fact that, apparently, most expatriates are happy to live in Korea because it is acceptable to employ a Korean maid to do the house work... Hm.
February 9, 2009
I should have bought this book before coming to Korea.
June 12, 2009
pretty interesting generally
January 31, 2010
Pretty good- this with Ugly Americans, Ugly Koreans gave me the best preparation for our move to Korea.
December 15, 2012
A great help.
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April 18, 2016I could swear I've read this book in the old edition. But it doesn't look familiar. Very practical and pep-talky and advicey. Probably useful, but not my kind of thing.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews