Reticence is a view found in many cultures in the world. There is a large difference in reticent behavior between Korean and American people, but this is not a bad difference. A reticent person is defined by the Webster’s Third New International Dictionary as someone who is, “inclined to keep silent or uncommunicative… restrained in expression, presentation, or appearance.” Reticence is something that every culture has, one way or another. Korean people tend to be more formal, quiet, and polite, while Americans have more of an informal, loud behavior. Korean people learn their reticent behavior from Confucian teachings. Korean people grew up in a society where reticent people are more polite and well liked, but American people do not favor
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We are still very polite people, but between the two cultures, we have a different idea of politeness. When we speak to someone that is higher than us, such as our boss, we are still very polite and respectful, but we are not afraid to speak, share ideas, or join in on a conversation between high executives. If an American student were to have lunch with their professor, there would be a lot of questions asked, a lot of talking, and sharing of information. We view this as a nice, respectful meeting while a Korean person may view it as abrasive and brash. Americans are louder and more enthusiastic than some Korean people, because we are not so reticent when conversing with one another. From a young age, we are taught that we can be whatever we want to be when we are older, and that if we want something, we have to go get it. In American culture, being reticent will not get you very far. This is why reticent people are not very well liked in American culture.
In conclusion, Korean and American cultures view reticence in a very different way, but this is a good thing. Koreans prefer people who are quiet and polite, while Americans find reticent people like that quite unfavorable. These two cultures are different in this aspect, but it is not a bad difference. We can learn good values and polite behavior from Koreans to practice in our society, and they can learn how to be more assertive from
We are still very polite people, but between the two cultures, we have a different idea of politeness. When we speak to someone that is higher than us, such as our boss, we are still very polite and respectful, but we are not afraid to speak, share ideas, or join in on a conversation between high executives. If an American student were to have lunch with their professor, there would be a lot of questions asked, a lot of talking, and sharing of information. We view this as a nice, respectful meeting while a Korean person may view it as abrasive and brash. Americans are louder and more enthusiastic than some Korean people, because we are not so reticent when conversing with one another. From a young age, we are taught that we can be whatever we want to be when we are older, and that if we want something, we have to go get it. In American culture, being reticent will not get you very far. This is why reticent people are not very well liked in American culture.
In conclusion, Korean and American cultures view reticence in a very different way, but this is a good thing. Koreans prefer people who are quiet and polite, while Americans find reticent people like that quite unfavorable. These two cultures are different in this aspect, but it is not a bad difference. We can learn good values and polite behavior from Koreans to practice in our society, and they can learn how to be more assertive from