Korean Giggle Syndrome

What's so funny? Can anyone explain this?

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• korean
• durkee
• Syndrome
• Giggle
• South Korea
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[OhPresly]

@Grahamcracker6366 Whats wrong with grinning when asking where something is? Maybe they just like to smile all the time, and be happy.

[durkeeinkorea]

@OhPresly No.. Your missing the point.

[Scotland2Russia]

Do Koreans giggle at other koreans in awkward situations? or is it just with people who dont speak the same language? So weird! haha

[durkeeinkorea]

@Scotland2Russia Yeah... They giggle here... there.. They giggle everywhere!

[p00lman]

The first example is because Koreans practice English for years without much, if any, real interaction with English speakers, so the giggling is partly nervous and partly in spite of the fact they finally have to put to practical use what they learned for years.

The latter example is because they knew they weren't going to pay you, but didn't want the situation to escalate and become serious.

[durkeeinkorea]

@p00lman You hit the nail on the head right there.

[etatauri]

I think its kind of a self defense mechanism. Sometimes when I make a mistake at work I will let out a little chuckle. Its kind of a laughter directed towards yourself. Koreans tend to do this when they are embarrassed. It's like laughing at yourself if that makes any sense. I've heard a lot of stories where this reaction was misinterpreted because it is a highly specific cultural thing.

[rjkdaudwlsdjs]

Where did Korean giggle syndrome come from? In that situation they didn't tease or banter you. We, Korean, giggle when we don't know how can say, when we are nervous, or when we do instead of saying 'Im sorry or thank you'. How can still you not get it.

[StudyCanada]

People giggle because they are nervous, it is an untrained reaction, that is, they were not trained by their parents how to deal with an ordinary awkward situation, so they just giggle like idiots. I notice the same here in Canada. They have this annoying kind of apologetic giggle that it is very uncomfortable. In South America people will be more upfront and confident (almost confrontational to the foreign eye, personally, I find it refreshing) - great videos.

[kbuildinglink]

2:01 the man in the background be trollin you

[TheOKBou]

I think the giggling happens because you're a foreigner. If you were a Korean guy, pissed off, angry and demanding your pay ASAP, I highly doubt that they would giggle. Also, this might sound crazy, but it helps to actually hear the giggle in order to tell you what they're thinking. Giggles sound different depending on what they're thinking and what kind of situation they're in.

[bellpapavarin]

I've been to korea. I asked for a direction in the shopping centre to this teenager. All she did was giggling with her friends. Didnt know that it was cultural thing, until i saw this video.

I thought she was the rudest person :/

[NotOtherJerseyGirl]

You say you been in korea for three years, where is there a good place to go for someone that has never been there before?

[YoonJungful]

I understand even I'm Korean. But I can't help with the giggle too, when I encounter that kind of situation. I wonder why.

[jadujen]

@therlaehgund Thanks for your great answers. =)

[jadujen]

here's my guess, re:your 2nd exp. with giggling in confrontation. In my experience, apparently it's not ok to "show your anger" in certain instances, or when dealing with someone of higher status, even if they are blatantly in the wrong. The person may smile, or chuckle, and continue. It's like they're trying to deflect, or diffuse the situation. Even men will do this, but by chuckling instead of giggling. I also agree with the explanation given by therlaegund..

[vidachristina]

"if this was in the states, id assume she was high or something" hahahaha