 |
| Bowing Penguins |
Not every Korean custom has been able to survive as time passed. Some have sunk into the vast waves of Western cultures, and others have been modified, sometimes losing their original meanings. However, Korean custom that has survived throughout centuries, without being diverted nor forgotten, is Korea’s bowing custom. Because the custom is effective, practicable as well as being addictive, it is worthy of being introduced to other countries.
First of all, bowing custom is an effective communication tool among people. Unlike in other countries where one shakes hands in his first meeting with someone new, Koreans bow. Bowing has a stronger implication of ‘respect’. By bowing, people implicitly express their respect for the others and show they are treating the others in courteous manner. Some may take bowing custom as such a trivial thing that it may seem as though it would not have tremendous effects on situations. However, it is bowing that goes along with a person’s first impression, therefore serves as an ‘introductory sentence’ of a relationship.
On top of that, Korea’s bowing custom is easily practicable. The custom exists closely by lives of people. When one thinks of a ‘traditional custom’ one cannot but feel some gap between the word and their actual lives. However, bowing custom which Koreans practice mostly everyday is condensed in lives of Koreans. When they meet new people, when they express their gratitude, and when they apologize and so on. It is one of the most friendly and easily-practicable customs that exist. Even without any efforts to maintain the custom, the custom keeps its place in Korean society.
Finally, bowing can easily assimilate into another culture. At first, it may seem awkward and a bit weird for anyone who is not used to the custom to bow. However, once one gets used to it, bowing sticks like a habit. As a personal example, when I was a junior in middle school, I would have to bow to seniors. At first, it was awkward and somewhat annoying that I had to do it. However, after a few weeks, I found myself immediately bowing whenever I saw someone in the hallway. A few who were hesitant to bow would gradually do so after seeing everybody else doing it. As a result, in our school, the ‘bowing norm’ began. Even if teachers or seniors did not tell juniors to bow, juniors would carry out the custom throughout the whole school. It stuck like a habit, almost addictive, and was the one that spread good atmosphere in our school.
Bowing has its value in relationship among people, in the meaning it conveys, and even in daily lives. It is a custom which has maintained its position firmly among Korean people throughout centuries. It carries with itself the meaning of respect and humbleness which are spread throughout the society where the custom is applied. Even if the custom seems rather normal and trivial in Korea, I would say this is the custom which I can proudly present to other countries.
This essay, I think, had a good start 'cause the paragraphs and arguments were well organized. It really gave me a nice impression.
답글삭제But it would have been much better if the introductory paragraph was more "attractive". I get how you attempted to give a somewhat "wide" perspective regarding this custom. But as far as I think, readers ought to be able to know your intention and arguments in prior(by implying-that makes reading much easier and less boring. Try to make it more interesting, by the way. Then it would be great. And other than that, your fourth paragraph is supposed be about "different cultures easily adapting into" bowing. But you talked about your middle school. In a sense, that might be seen as a different culture. Nevertheless, the assertion will become much more refreshing if you talk about completely different cultures(especially the west, which some people aren't familiar to bowing).
Anyways, it was great. I enjoyed reading it!
Hmm.. Bowing customs are not a topic of crucial importance, nor a thing of great academic meaning. It may have some features, but if there were, you don't seem to have analyzed it enough. Customs of greetings are unique in every culture, which is why cultures try to keep their own, because it is a topic that can be easily substituted, but which represent the sole uniqueness of one's culture.
답글삭제Just a thought. THIS IS NOT AN OFFICIAL COMMENT OF A TOEFL ESSAY
Bowing customs have been an important custom in Korean culture for a long time. Since Korean people have considered interactions between neighbors as an important matter, Korean kids have been educated to bow to others when they go out. I personally like this custom because people get closer by bowing. In the modern society, we say that many people have became selfish. I think we can solve this problem by bowing custom.
답글삭제