外国人から見た日本と韓国の違い！海外では同じだと思われがち？

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Louise and Ari discuss their experiences in Korea and Japan, highlighting cultural differences and personal observations. They compare aspects like public transport, customer service, and coffee culture, offering insights into the distinct vibes of both countries. From the advanced train systems in Korea to the customer service contrasts, they share their reactions to the everyday life in both places. Despite the differences, they express admiration for each country's unique qualities, reflecting on their experiences and the joy of discovering new cultures.

Takeaways

• 😀 Louise traveled to Korea recently and shared her experiences compared to her previous travels in Japan and other parts of Asia.
• 😀 Both Louise and Ari agree that Korea and Japan have distinct differences, despite sharing some similarities in culture.
• 😀 Louise found the airport experience in Korea confusing, especially when she couldn't read the signs and struggled to find the food area.
• 😀 The subway system in Korea impressed Louise with its efficiency and advanced features, including doors at the stations, unlike Japan's train stations.
• 😀 Louise was surprised by the difference in train systems between Korea and Japan, noting that Korea's train systems were simpler, while Japan's were more advanced in some aspects.
• 😀 Customer service in Korea is focused on efficiency, while in Japan, there is more attention to the customer's satisfaction, often with more detailed service.
• 😀 The culture in Japan is more about behind-the-scenes management, where everything is prepared before the business opens, while in Korea, there’s visible setup happening during opening hours.
• 😀 Coffee culture in Korea is different from Japan, where the standard drink sizes are much larger in Korea, and coffee shops are often open 24/7.
• 😀 Both Louise and Ari observed differences in bowing culture; while bowing is common in both Japan and Korea, there are differences in the depth of the bow depending on social hierarchy.
• 😀 Louise found that Korean washrooms were not as high-tech as those in Japan, particularly missing the washlet feature, which she had grown accustomed to in Japan.
• 😀 Despite some cultural and infrastructural differences, both countries offer unique and enjoyable experiences, and Louise expressed an interest in living in Korea for a year to fully experience it.

Q & A

What is the main difference between Korea and Japan when it comes to customer service?

In Korea, customer service tends to be quicker and more efficient, focusing on getting things done promptly. In contrast, Japan's customer service is more detailed, where staff take time to explain things and ensure a high level of customer satisfaction.

How did the arrival experience at Korean airports differ from the Japanese airports?

In Korea, the subway system is directly connected to the airport, which was considered a more advanced feature. The airport in Korea also had doors on the platform for safety, which was a surprising contrast to Japan's less consistent implementation of such features.

What is a key feature of Korea’s train system that stood out to the travelers?

The travelers found that Korea's train system is very straightforward with fewer lines, making it easy for non-residents to navigate. They also appreciated the simplicity of using the subway with a single train to take, unlike the more complex systems they were used to in Japan.

What is one notable difference between Japanese and Korean shopping habits?

In Korea, shops often have open boxes and visible stock being arranged on shelves when the store opens, whereas in Japan, the process of organizing stock is done behind the scenes to maintain a neat appearance from the start.

What surprised the travelers about the coffee culture in Korea?

The travelers were surprised by the large portion sizes of coffee in Korea, with many servings being over half a liter, making it difficult to find smaller sizes. Additionally, they were impressed by the availability of coffee shops open 24/7.

How does Japan's toilet culture compare to Korea's?

Japan's toilets are known for their cleanliness and advanced features, such as washlets, which are ubiquitous in public spaces. In contrast, Korea's toilets were clean but didn't offer the same level of sophistication, such as washlets, which the travelers had become accustomed to in Japan.

Why did the travelers find the public behavior of bowing interesting in Korea?

The travelers were surprised to see that bowing is also common in Korea, not just in Japan. However, they learned that in Korea, the level of bowing is related to the hierarchy, such as bowing lower than a senior to show respect.

What is one cultural difference between Japan and Korea regarding dining or greetings?

In Korea, bowing is an important part of greetings and respect, but the depth of the bow changes depending on the social status of the person being greeted. In Japan, bowing is also common but tends to be more equal, with the level of bowing not changing dramatically based on social position.

What did the travelers think about the coffee shop culture in Korea compared to Japan?

The coffee shop culture in Korea is characterized by large portions and the availability of coffee shops open 24/7, which was in stark contrast to Japan, where coffee is generally more restrained, and the availability of late-night options is not as prevalent.

What do the travelers suggest about experiencing a new culture and country?

The travelers encourage an open mind when visiting a new country. They emphasized that living in a country offers a deeper understanding and experience, with both Korea and Japan having distinct qualities that make them special and worth exploring.