A tendency to call someone as Mr or Ms is quite prevalent in Korea.
It may have a lot to do with the heirarchical nature of society as well as a show of respect towards a person. That is perfectly fine and rather welcome!
What really riles me is the Korean tendency(except, for a rarified few) to introduce himself or herself as "Mister" or "Miss". I am yet to understand whether this comes from an ignorance of English language etiquette, or from a royal, supercilious perspective. And then, the cynic in me looks at it in another way- a charade of the ignorance of language usage:))
Since it is common to address even familiar persons with their job positions appended to their names, probably it manifests in even familiar persons being addressed as Mister or Miss in the third person.
I, for one, have not been entirely comfortable with this "Mistering". With people at work, with whom I am very friendly, I call them and refer to them with ther first names. And for others, simply append the Korean word for their position. This way, I avoid talking in a way that is alien to me.
Been a rather quiet weekend. And since I am trying to have atleast one entry per week, this write-up!
It may have a lot to do with the heirarchical nature of society as well as a show of respect towards a person. That is perfectly fine and rather welcome!
What really riles me is the Korean tendency(except, for a rarified few) to introduce himself or herself as "Mister" or "Miss". I am yet to understand whether this comes from an ignorance of English language etiquette, or from a royal, supercilious perspective. And then, the cynic in me looks at it in another way- a charade of the ignorance of language usage:))
Since it is common to address even familiar persons with their job positions appended to their names, probably it manifests in even familiar persons being addressed as Mister or Miss in the third person.
I, for one, have not been entirely comfortable with this "Mistering". With people at work, with whom I am very friendly, I call them and refer to them with ther first names. And for others, simply append the Korean word for their position. This way, I avoid talking in a way that is alien to me.
Been a rather quiet weekend. And since I am trying to have atleast one entry per week, this write-up!
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