Discovery Channel Asia show about Korean/American cross cultural relationships - Russian Ukrainian Belarus Travel Music Woman Dating News

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Discovery Channel Asia show about Korean/American cross cultural relationships
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Posted by: rtking

Discovery Channel Asia show about Korean Women and American Men
Translation of English to Korean to Chinese

Here is an interesting documentary about the cross-cultural views between Korean women and American men. It was great to get the parental perspective in cross cultural relationships. I wonder if Russian parents have similar views?

Remember, these are quick notes I took from the Discovery Channel program here in Taiwan and don’t represent my own views or opinions.

- A girl’s parents were unhappy because the American man didn’t ask the parent’s permission first. They perceived this as a sign of disrespect for the family.

- The girl's parents perception of American soldiers is that they are problem people. Military duty is required in Korean culture, but not in American culture. Only misfits go to the military.

- The son-in-law was a "common soldier" and was not an officer and did not complete school. The parents did not think he was worthy of their daughter.

- The parents were unhappy with their son-in-law because he speaks back and openly disregards their requests. In a “proper Korean family”, the son-in-law always obeys his parents-in-law and if he is unhappy, he never shows it.

- USO in Korean provides a Korean Brides School that teaches the girls etiquette, how to speak, what foods Americans like to eat, how to cook these foods (turkey, Apple Pie, Pumpkin Pie, casseroles, etc.)

- USO school also teaches cultural differences: Americans expect immediate reactions and, during a fight, wants to know what is wrong and how to fix it immediately. Korean culture doesn’t allow the woman to speak openly about the problem until she has thought about it. Korean people feel that Americans don’t take the time to understand and analyze the situation before trying to fix it.

- Greetings in America are very embarrassing. Mother-in-laws often times hug and kiss on the cheek. It is important for Korean girls to remember that this is a greeting and to just accept it.

- If an American father-in-law wants a kiss, the girl must offer her cheek and tell herself that this is simply a greeting.

- In one example, the American son-in-law stayed in his room to watch football instead of visiting with the parents-in-law. This is considered to be very insulting to the family.

- The Korean family had invited the son-in-law to stay with them in the hopes that he would learn some Korean culture. Instead they found that the family had to change to accept his (American) culture.