Okay, first I want to state that these are generalized differences that do not apply to all of South Korea or to all of Canada. They are just things I've noticed that are different or intrigued me. I also want to say I know some of them may seem really obvious and you'll be like well duh, but it's just nice to write about them for you because it is very different talking about something and experiencing it.
I don't even know what the first thing I noticed that was different. The airport I arrived in felt pretty much the same as any other airport I'd been in. There were lots of people though, everywhere. Since the airport is the main one near Seoul this wasn't surprising. It just felt like there were people everywhere all of the time.
I also noticed the heat when I stepped outside, it was surprisingly warm. I wasn't expecting that for some reason, even though I knew it would be warmer. Maybe the air felt different? I can't even explain if it was drier or heavier or something? It was just different.
There are cars everywhere in Korea and from what I can tell none of them look older than 10-15 years (although don't quote me on that, my car knowledge is limited). People also don't really give a shit where they park, we that's not entirely true. They don't seem to part on the main roads, but if you go down any side road, especially somewhere suburban (with houses, not apartments) there are literally cars lining the streets. The houses don't have driveways so people don't really have another option.
Also, unlike Canada where there are rules about parking in front of, say, someone's door, Koreans do not care. I have seen cars on the sidewalk, cars parked partially on the street. Cars parked on corners, cars parked directly in front of stores. People also save their parking spots in a funny way, there are buckets with ropes tied to the handle and the other end tied to someone's fence sitting on the street. Sometimes you see giant yellow traffic sign or cone, this mostly happens on residential streets, not so much downtown, although I've seen some there too.
Buses do not usually pull up to the side walk. You must go out into the bus lane (which it pulls up beside) and hope onto the bus. Also, they do not have very many seats, just one row along the front part and a few in the back. The buses are also pretty bumpy and fast, so you must hold on tight.
Another thing about side walk, you will often see elderly people sitting on the side walk selling random vegetables. Usually they are right downtown too (although I've seen them on the side of busy roads as well). Some people sell other things too. I saw a man selling little wooden tables the other day). They don't even usually say anything (to me anyway), they just have all there veggies or fruit spread out in front of them waiting for someone to buy.
There are also lots of little street food stalls in the downtown area. There are a couple near my house too. One is a cute little cart that sells those fish shaped fried cake things that are usually full of red bean paste, I've yet to try one but they are so cute. I want to get a picture next time I go by.
Everyone I've talked to in Korea seems to online shop (at least the girls), they all seem to know about these mysterious Korean clothing sites I've never heard of full of decently or cheaply priced Korean clothing. Also, most of the girls wear heels and invisible makeup. I swear, some of my coworkers aren't wearing makeup, but then at lunch I will see them touching it up. Also, everyone bushes there teeth at the office after lunch. People seem to keep an extra tooth brush at there work.
The way people talk to you is also a lot more forward, but I think that could have more to do with the language difference than anything. Also, people often ask your age shortly after meeting you and they constantly seem worried this is rude. Maybe some people would be offended, but I know it is the cultural difference. People who are older are treated slightly different than people the same age so Koreans need to know if someone is their peer or not. Although, I haven't really experienced that myself some Koreans told me it is sometimes harder to be friends with someone who is older than you.
Of course there are many other interesting cultural differences in Korea, but I don't want to get into everything right now. Those are just some things I've noticed. Please take this list with a grain of salt, I'm no expert and I've only been to one city in Korea, I have no idea what somewhere like, say, Seoul is like. I will make another list when I think of more things because I'm sure I missed stuff.
I don't even know what the first thing I noticed that was different. The airport I arrived in felt pretty much the same as any other airport I'd been in. There were lots of people though, everywhere. Since the airport is the main one near Seoul this wasn't surprising. It just felt like there were people everywhere all of the time.
I also noticed the heat when I stepped outside, it was surprisingly warm. I wasn't expecting that for some reason, even though I knew it would be warmer. Maybe the air felt different? I can't even explain if it was drier or heavier or something? It was just different.
There are cars everywhere in Korea and from what I can tell none of them look older than 10-15 years (although don't quote me on that, my car knowledge is limited). People also don't really give a shit where they park, we that's not entirely true. They don't seem to part on the main roads, but if you go down any side road, especially somewhere suburban (with houses, not apartments) there are literally cars lining the streets. The houses don't have driveways so people don't really have another option.
Also, unlike Canada where there are rules about parking in front of, say, someone's door, Koreans do not care. I have seen cars on the sidewalk, cars parked partially on the street. Cars parked on corners, cars parked directly in front of stores. People also save their parking spots in a funny way, there are buckets with ropes tied to the handle and the other end tied to someone's fence sitting on the street. Sometimes you see giant yellow traffic sign or cone, this mostly happens on residential streets, not so much downtown, although I've seen some there too.
Buses do not usually pull up to the side walk. You must go out into the bus lane (which it pulls up beside) and hope onto the bus. Also, they do not have very many seats, just one row along the front part and a few in the back. The buses are also pretty bumpy and fast, so you must hold on tight.
Another thing about side walk, you will often see elderly people sitting on the side walk selling random vegetables. Usually they are right downtown too (although I've seen them on the side of busy roads as well). Some people sell other things too. I saw a man selling little wooden tables the other day). They don't even usually say anything (to me anyway), they just have all there veggies or fruit spread out in front of them waiting for someone to buy.
There are also lots of little street food stalls in the downtown area. There are a couple near my house too. One is a cute little cart that sells those fish shaped fried cake things that are usually full of red bean paste, I've yet to try one but they are so cute. I want to get a picture next time I go by.
Everyone I've talked to in Korea seems to online shop (at least the girls), they all seem to know about these mysterious Korean clothing sites I've never heard of full of decently or cheaply priced Korean clothing. Also, most of the girls wear heels and invisible makeup. I swear, some of my coworkers aren't wearing makeup, but then at lunch I will see them touching it up. Also, everyone bushes there teeth at the office after lunch. People seem to keep an extra tooth brush at there work.
The way people talk to you is also a lot more forward, but I think that could have more to do with the language difference than anything. Also, people often ask your age shortly after meeting you and they constantly seem worried this is rude. Maybe some people would be offended, but I know it is the cultural difference. People who are older are treated slightly different than people the same age so Koreans need to know if someone is their peer or not. Although, I haven't really experienced that myself some Koreans told me it is sometimes harder to be friends with someone who is older than you.
Of course there are many other interesting cultural differences in Korea, but I don't want to get into everything right now. Those are just some things I've noticed. Please take this list with a grain of salt, I'm no expert and I've only been to one city in Korea, I have no idea what somewhere like, say, Seoul is like. I will make another list when I think of more things because I'm sure I missed stuff.
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