Self-censorship in South Korea

[littlemonyou]

Thanks for your opinion on this. It`s very interesting subject to hear from someone who is not Korean! I think this 눈치 is totally a part of communication in Korea. When I did not have this much as a young child being super expressive, I remember the world around me was never easy :D

[Opkasm]

마이클, 이 비디오를 한국어로 번역 좀 해 줘요.

[rokksohn]

This video is so true and yet something's wrong about it...

[cp516]

This video, to me, felt like you described 눈치 as more on the giving side of the "signs", when it actually is the ability to pick up on those "signs".

[cp516]

@cp516 it can be used in a sentence to say you were giving "signs", but in most cases, it's used to describe the ability to pick up on those "signs"

[p00lman]

@cp516 You're right, but I could've then just described it as "tactfulness," which misses the point, I think.

[JamConcerned]

Hmm this is a great idea was it always adopted in Korean Culture or was it after the Korean War. I like aspects of this, yet I feel it could become very abusive, and also feel a lot of Koreans hold on to a lot of pain. Yet it keeps an appearance of civility, hopefully from thing getting too out of hand. Being in authority and older must be a power trip.

[boredbaby247]

sounds very much like the Japanese's honne & tatemae (as explained in "Japanese Stereotypes - Happy Hour Japan" youtube video)

[waterflowzz]

The 안심 and 눈치 thing comes with the mindset that you must take other ppl's thoughts into consideration. I think there definitely needs to be some sort of code of conduct like this when dealing with other ppl because ppl all think differently. But in a certain sense I think that it shouldn't be overdone. On the other hand if ppl are too outspoken they can seem (and usually are) cocky, conceited, selfish, and closed-minded.

[jadujen]

@waterflowzz I feel much the same. It's great to talk with someone who speaks their mind~ but not when they only care about what they have to say, or their own opinion/feeling only. Even when the concept isn't part of a culture, people should take other's thoughts/knowledge into consideration. It tells me alot about the people who don't choose to do that (as in, self-centered/selfish, arrogant, self-absorbed, etc. =/ )

[tokee1234567]

I think this is something that has helped me quite a bit in my work/school life in North America. I've been called "insightful" for knowing when to speak what in certain tense situations, and for knowing how the others are feeling before you say something etc. 눈치 is indeed a good skill to have, but when I did a lot of it as a kid, I was very introverted and was so self-conscious all the time.

[tokee1234567]

for peace in relationships, rather than 안심, I would use 안정. 안심 would be more for personal feelings, like how peaceful, comfortable you feel in the environment, or how much comfortable the environment makes you feel to talk about your deep feelings/opinions. there is a term for 안정된 관계or 안정된 분위기 but not for 안심. it's more like 안심할 수 있는 장소, 안심되는 곳 etc I get where you are getting at though.

[p00lman]

@tokee1234567 I think you're right. I actually referred to a book which went into depth about these terms, but perhaps it was mistaken.

[mmhmmrachel91]

While studying at Korea University for a semester, us American exchange students would have very heated debates over politics in the cafeteria while eating dinner. Despite having vastly different opinions we were extremely close and our Korean friends didn't seem to fully understand this. One of my Korean friends told me that she felt uncomfortable when all of us American students would get into a "passionate" debates. I tend to be rather candid with people so 눈치 & 안심 has always been a struggle.

[cathefeline]

I love speaking my mind, I feel like voicing ones opinions is the best form to learn from ourselves and those around us. I don't mean to say that this form of keeping peace is wrong, I simply believe that if people restrain themselves from speaking based off of their status amongst a group we are limited in the points of view that are heard and as such in the knowledge we gain.

[hellspawnman]

The music sounds like No Doubt, dont speak.

[SuperSkyheart2]

I kind of like that self censorship thing. There's no peace in America XD. People are too outspoken and it's usually negative and mean.

[nixonair]

I have a question why you are putting your hands behind back during the video.

[jmhead01]

And how much do age differences make in general? Do people say similar things, but with more respect, or with more 안심 ?

[p00lman]

@jmhead01 The older or the higher the position, the better it is for the younger person to let the elder speak first and lead the conversation.

[jmhead01]

Does an chim look different when it is in a group vs one on one with someone? Do people say more of what the think when not in a group, or is it pretty much the same an chim if you aren't close friends?

[p00lman]

@jmhead01 It really depends. A mean boss, for example, could make things as uncomfortable as he wants, but the employee just has to take it. The employee's passiveness could be seen as a form of 안심, although that's not really what's implied by the term.

I would say one-on-one may have the potential to become more open and honest in some situations, so 안심 is most "visible" in group settings.