Culture Shock! Korea (Paperback)

~ Sonja Vegdahl Hur (Author), Ben Seunghua Hur (Author), (Author) "The Korean peninsula is mountainous, broken by narrow valleys, numerous small streams, long rivers and flat, fertile plains..." (more)
Key Phrases: express bus terminal, ancestral ceremonies, honoured person, South Korea, North Korea, Korean War (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Whether you travel for business, pleasure, or a combination of the two, the ever-popular CULTURE SHOCK! series belongs in your backpack or briefcase. Get the nuts-and-bolts information you need to survive and thrive wherever you go. CULTURE SHOCK! country guides are easy-to-read, accurate, and entertaining crash courses in local customs and etiquette. CULTURE SHOCK! practical guides offer the inside information you need whether you're a student, a parent, a globetrotter, or a working traveler. CULTURE SHOCK! AT YOUR DOOR guides equip you for daily life in some of the world's most cosmopolitan cities. And CULTURE SHOCK! SUCCESS SECRETS guides offer relevant, practical information with the real-life insights and cultural know-how that can make the difference between business success and failure.

Each CULTURE SHOCK! title is written by someone who's lived and worked in the country, and each book is packed with practical, accurate, and enjoyable information to help you find your way and feel at home.

From the Publisher

Newly updated and redesigned in 2005! --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Graphic Arts Center Publishing Company; Rev Exp edition (March 28, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558686215
• ISBN-13: 978-1558686212
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 4.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #377,348 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #12 in	Books > Travel > Asia > South Korea
  #98 in	Books > History > Asia > Korea

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 1980s adult culture, but still useful, December 6, 2002

By	Less High Fructose (Oakland, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Culture Shock! Korea (Culture Shock! A Survival Guide to Customs & Etiquette) (Paperback)

I read this entire book prior to going to Korea in Nov 2002, and it was very good preparation for a very different culture, one that I already thought I knew pretty well. On the other hand, it did little to prepare me for the fact that a major cultural shift is occurring in Korea, with modern Korea blending western and eastern cultures. For example, respect of elders is still a (very nice) part of the culture, while knowledge of English and western pop culture is much more common among the younger folk. Even the "outdated" information in this book gives insight on today's customs, which seem to be evolving on a year-to-year basis; thus, I forgive this book for not being really current, or the authors omission of the culture of the younger generation. Yes, some sections were too outdated, silly, and based on uncommon experiences (see the cute 'cultural quiz' in the back), but I think it's probably the best book out there regarding the 'culture shock' you will experience.
Things that need to be included: A better understanding of the agrarian history of Korea will prepare one for the sights of cabbage and rice fields interspersed within the city, and the fact that bul-go-gi or kal-bi (bbq beef) is much more expensive than your typical vegetable dish. There should be more useful expressions in the back of the book. For example, here is a typical conversation: "Hello. Where is the bathroom? I don't speak Korean. Do you speak English? Thank you." The Olympics 1988 and World Cup 2002 have made the cities much more tourist- and western- friendly. However, there are negative views towards the American presence, especially since there have been some highly publicized tragedies involving the US military recently. Tap water quality (applying western standards) has improved greatly in the major cities, but still remains an issue in the rural areas. You need to combine this book with an updated travel guide (and more knowledge of current events) for the best preparation.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Okay book, a little dated, November 19, 1999

By	Yeschef (Brooklyn, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Culture Shock! Korea (Culture Shock! A Survival Guide to Customs & Etiquette) (Paperback)

I read this book before moving to Korea. The book prepared me for SOME of the differences between Koreans and Westerners, but some of the information was extremely outdated. The book is good for people to get a general idea of the culture in Korea, but Culture Shock!: Korea, needs to be updated. Most of the information on the relationships between men and women in Korea is just plain wrong.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dated, but still worth it, March 30, 2000

By	Daniel Grabon (New Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Culture Shock! Korea (Culture Shock! A Survival Guide to Customs & Etiquette) (Paperback)

As other reviewers have mentioned, some of the information in this book is dated-- but these days that's almost impossible to avoid. Society is currently changing so rapidly in Korea that even something written a year ago would be outdated now. Also, many of the customs and rules listed are still applicable but not quite as important as the book suggests. Nevertheless, this book should still be required reading before ANY trip to Korea, short- or long-term. It'll give you a much better perspective on where Korean culture has been and where it's going now. Once you arrive you may find yourself overprepared with this book-- but that's much better than the other way around.