Korea (Culture Shock!)

Rating:
Summary: Good for Expats, but....
Review: As a former resident of South Korea, this book was excellent for expats living in South Korea, but at times contains superfluous information about real estate and international schools that would be of little use to the average reader.

Rating:
Summary: Dated, but still worth it
Review: As other reviewers have mentioned, some of the information in this book is dated-- but these days that's almost impossible to avoid. Society is currently changing so rapidly in Korea that even something written a year ago would be outdated now. Also, many of the customs and rules listed are still applicable but not quite as important as the book suggests. Nevertheless, this book should still be required reading before ANY trip to Korea, short- or long-term. It'll give you a much better perspective on where Korean culture has been and where it's going now. Once you arrive you may find yourself overprepared with this book-- but that's much better than the other way around.

Rating:
Summary: Dated, but still worth it
Review: As other reviewers have mentioned, some of the information in this book is dated-- but these days that's almost impossible to avoid. Society is currently changing so rapidly in Korea that even something written a year ago would be outdated now. Also, many of the customs and rules listed are still applicable but not quite as important as the book suggests. Nevertheless, this book should still be required reading before ANY trip to Korea, short- or long-term. It'll give you a much better perspective on where Korean culture has been and where it's going now. Once you arrive you may find yourself overprepared with this book-- but that's much better than the other way around.

Rating:
Summary: For business travellers, and long term visitors
Review: I am teaching in Korea for a year. This book prepared me for what to expect when I got here. There is a lot of useful information for visitors. Korea's etiquette is so different from North America's that its necessary to be prepared before coming here! This book really helps prepare for the unexpected differences.

Rating:
Summary: Are Koreans elitist homophobes?
Review: I found very few inconsistencies between my experiences (living in Korea for nearly two months in the summer of 2000) and what I read in the book - even the parts about men and women. Having read it and having it with me made me feel so much more comfortable so many times because I knew what to do and what to expect. I strongly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: a MUST-HAVE for every traveler to Korea
Review: I found very few inconsistencies between my experiences (living in Korea for nearly two months in the summer of 2000) and what I read in the book - even the parts about men and women. Having read it and having it with me made me feel so much more comfortable so many times because I knew what to do and what to expect. I strongly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book! A real necessity if traveling to Korea!
Review: I read this book about two months before taking a two week trip to Korea. Just about every cultural experience I had was outlined in the book. In researching other Korean books, this is the only comprehensive book on culture I could find. Don't just read it, study it. However, please take some time to really enjoy the Korean culture.

Rating:
Summary: Okay book, a little dated
Review: I read this book before moving to Korea. The book prepared me for SOME of the differences between Koreans and Westerners, but some of the information was extremely outdated. The book is good for people to get a general idea of the culture in Korea, but Culture Shock!: Korea, needs to be updated. Most of the information on the relationships between men and women in Korea is just plain wrong.

Rating:
Summary: An OK book, but a good travel guide is more useful
Review: I read this entire book prior to going to Korea in Nov 2002, and it was very good preparation for a very different culture, one that I already thought I knew pretty well. On the other hand, it did little to prepare me for the fact that a major cultural shift is occurring in Korea, with modern Korea blending western and eastern cultures. For example, respect of elders is still a (very nice) part of the culture, while knowledge of English and western pop culture is much more common among the younger folk. Even the "outdated" information in this book gives insight on today's customs, which seem to be evolving on a year-to-year basis; thus, I forgive this book for not being really current, or the authors omission of the culture of the younger generation. Yes, some sections were too outdated, silly, and based on uncommon experiences (see the cute 'cultural quiz' in the back), but I think it's probably the best book out there regarding the 'culture shock' you will experience.
Things that need to be included: A better understanding of the agrarian history of Korea will prepare one for the sights of cabbage and rice fields interspersed within the city, and the fact that bul-go-gi or kal-bi (bbq beef) is much more expensive than your typical vegetable dish. There should be more useful expressions in the back of the book. For example, here is a typical conversation: "Hello. Where is the bathroom? I don't speak Korean. Do you speak English? Thank you." The Olympics 1988 and World Cup 2002 have made the cities much more tourist- and western- friendly. However, there are negative views towards the American presence, especially since there have been some highly publicized tragedies involving the US military recently. Tap water quality (applying western standards) has improved greatly in the major cities, but still remains an issue in the rural areas. You need to combine this book with an updated travel guide (and more knowledge of current events) for the best preparation.

Rating:
Summary: 1980s adult culture, but still useful
Review: I read this entire book prior to going to Korea in Nov 2002, and it was very good preparation for a very different culture, one that I already thought I knew pretty well. On the other hand, it did little to prepare me for the fact that a major cultural shift is occurring in Korea, with modern Korea blending western and eastern cultures. For example, respect of elders is still a (very nice) part of the culture, while knowledge of English and western pop culture is much more common among the younger folk. Even the "outdated" information in this book gives insight on today's customs, which seem to be evolving on a year-to-year basis; thus, I forgive this book for not being really current, or the authors omission of the culture of the younger generation. Yes, some sections were too outdated, silly, and based on uncommon experiences (see the cute 'cultural quiz' in the back), but I think it's probably the best book out there regarding the 'culture shock' you will experience.
Things that need to be included: A better understanding of the agrarian history of Korea will prepare one for the sights of cabbage and rice fields interspersed within the city, and the fact that bul-go-gi or kal-bi (bbq beef) is much more expensive than your typical vegetable dish. There should be more useful expressions in the back of the book. For example, here is a typical conversation: "Hello. Where is the bathroom? I don't speak Korean. Do you speak English? Thank you." The Olympics 1988 and World Cup 2002 have made the cities much more tourist- and western- friendly. However, there are negative views towards the American presence, especially since there have been some highly publicized tragedies involving the US military recently. Tap water quality (applying western standards) has improved greatly in the major cities, but still remains an issue in the rural areas. You need to combine this book with an updated travel guide (and more knowledge of current events) for the best preparation.