Substance and Culture
For as long as I can remember, I have condemned anyone I know who uses any substance. Perhaps it is a habit that stems from my fear of failure. It's easy to blame failure on something like drinking or smoking. I'm not talking about my own failures, however, but rather the many mistakes made by various family members. It's not fair for me to say, it's the booze, it's the weed...that's the reason. No. It's the people who put themselves in horrible situations.
As I grow older, I learn to accept the lifestyles of others. I have friends who do all kinds of drugs. I don't approve, of course, but my approval doesn't mean anything. Staying away from those things is something that I have chosen for myself, and not something I can choose for others anyway.
Korea is in the top 25 for the drunkest countries in the world. Smoking (cigarettes) is also abundant. So, as far as social norms here go, my lifestyle is not normal for a Korean. Fortunately, I'm not Korean and I don't have to follow all Korean social norms.
Unfortunately for my girlfriend, she does. Being a college student and having a healthy social life pretty much requires frequent drinking. This fact puts me in a strange position.
Well, what's wrong with a drink here and there? Hmm, well, what's wrong with not having a drink here and there? In the states, there's nothing wrong with either. In Korea, if you don't drink, you are on your way to being a social outcast.
If you are different than others, you will be outed. It seems strange to me, since I am looking at things with American eyes. We are taught to accept everyone's differences, right? There are social rules to follow, but individuality is not a social crime. Korea has a highly homogeneous social culture.
Well, it's difficult to be like everyone else and it can cause a lot of stress. I wish I could help my girlfriend fit into such a society but I think I can only do harm to her social status as a Korean. I am not Korean, but she is dating me. I don't drink socially, and I don't like it when she does when I'm not around. Above all, I can't stand people who demand respect solely based on age. If you are an asshole, I'll talk to you like you're an asshole regardless of your age, and that's the way it should be...in my opinion anyway.
Lately, my girlfriend has been concerned about how others see her or what others think about her. I grew up with the belief that it doesn't matter what others think of you. But...that's because that was acceptable where I lived. I wish I could help, but I seem to only have a negative effect. Sorry.
As I grow older, I learn to accept the lifestyles of others. I have friends who do all kinds of drugs. I don't approve, of course, but my approval doesn't mean anything. Staying away from those things is something that I have chosen for myself, and not something I can choose for others anyway.
Korea is in the top 25 for the drunkest countries in the world. Smoking (cigarettes) is also abundant. So, as far as social norms here go, my lifestyle is not normal for a Korean. Fortunately, I'm not Korean and I don't have to follow all Korean social norms.
Unfortunately for my girlfriend, she does. Being a college student and having a healthy social life pretty much requires frequent drinking. This fact puts me in a strange position.
Well, what's wrong with a drink here and there? Hmm, well, what's wrong with not having a drink here and there? In the states, there's nothing wrong with either. In Korea, if you don't drink, you are on your way to being a social outcast.
If you are different than others, you will be outed. It seems strange to me, since I am looking at things with American eyes. We are taught to accept everyone's differences, right? There are social rules to follow, but individuality is not a social crime. Korea has a highly homogeneous social culture.
Well, it's difficult to be like everyone else and it can cause a lot of stress. I wish I could help my girlfriend fit into such a society but I think I can only do harm to her social status as a Korean. I am not Korean, but she is dating me. I don't drink socially, and I don't like it when she does when I'm not around. Above all, I can't stand people who demand respect solely based on age. If you are an asshole, I'll talk to you like you're an asshole regardless of your age, and that's the way it should be...in my opinion anyway.
Lately, my girlfriend has been concerned about how others see her or what others think about her. I grew up with the belief that it doesn't matter what others think of you. But...that's because that was acceptable where I lived. I wish I could help, but I seem to only have a negative effect. Sorry.