So we finally arrive to the week where it all would end. The cycle of unheard feedback came to its with the final. A moment I was ill-prepared for despite the amount of time I made to make up for the lackluster quarter. Well here went nothing.

And out came nothing.

With the lost cause done and away with, I reshuffled my focus back to research with the submission deadline looming ever closer.

But you have already heard my rants, critiques, and qualms on language program life. This week was relatively empty of anything worth noting. So let’s get back to the culture!

Formalities. Yeah. Why do we still have them? I am no cultural anthropologist, but I find the phenomenon of saying sweet nothings to someone as conversation filler fascinating. But like imagine a conversation without them… Still can’t picture the awkwardness? Let me help.

With formalities: “Hey John, how’s it going? Everything fine.   Well that’s good to hear. Listen, I want to apologize for not inviting you to the wedding…”

Without formalities: “John, I want to apologize for not inviting you to the wedding…”

Albeit each reaction will be unique to the individual, but let’s examine the typical views on such dialogue. The first case seems the more expected and even sounds more natural but you and I both know that entire first breath was useless. Some may view it as being polite, others may view it as beating around the bush. Regardless, to not call it filler would be far from the truth. Now with the second, it appears very curt, straightforward, and clear. Some may view this as sincere, others may view it as abrupt. Regardless, the person got straight to the point. Personally, I prefer the latter in how I communicate with others and I expect the same in return.

Now in Korean, some of you may already know of the various levels of being formal. The various levels change the interpretation of each formality with respect to whoever you are talking to. As a small example before we move forward. 고맙다 is the non-conjugated “to thank” verb. When speaking to siblings and friends, you would say “고마워!” (pronounced “ko-mah-wo”), but for a stranger you would probably say “고마워요.” (pronounced “ki-mah-wo-yo”). When trying to be formal, particularly with older individuals, you would say “고맙습니다.” (pronounced “ko-map-sum-ni-da”).

Not too difficult, yeah? There are a few more levels but this gives you an idea of a formal spectrum within Korean. Well, once you change the formal level of your dialogue the conversation dynamic entirely shifts. Pretty intuitive, right? But the shift is entirely relative to the other individual. On Thursday evening, I went out to a pub with another guest in my homestay. There at the pub, we saw two older generation in their suits and shrouded in cigarette smoke. With a good listen, you would have heard the entire conversation in formal Korean. Given all the context clues, it is clear that these gentlemen were clearly not friends but possibly working out a transaction of some sort. Just like English formalities, the formal level Korean does nothing and something at the same time. Personally, it’s my least favorite thing about the language as it implies a social hierarchy and people actually correct you to use a certain level with them. Not the most egalitarian of languages, but let’s see where we can go from here.