The Korean Civilization II

[Q Classic]

As for scorpions, or maggots, or spider, etc. Why don't some cultures eat normal food? I mean, the French have to have wine at every meal, the Germans warm beer, the Irish hard liquor, the Russians vodka, and the Japanese sake.

...normal?
OH! you mean American.
...that kinda gets rid of the entire point of culture.

I can't find the date of the Korean declaration of independence. Because Asians used a very inaccurate calendar for a long time, are dates important to them? Dates of events are a huge deal here in the US, so we don't spend time remembering a lot.

korea's always been independent except for a brief period when it was occupied by the mongols (no need for a declaration of independence there, as soon as genghis died the koreans kicked the mongols out~) and when it was occupied by the japanese.
the date when koreans started a full-scale rebellion and redeclared their independence was 1 Mar 1919.
this date is based on the solar calendar. and you'd be surprised how accurate the lunar calendar really was, and yes, dates are important to asians. most of the important dates tend to be rendered in the lunar calendar, however, such as chusok, the harvest festival, or the lunar new year.
really, in asia, everybody generally knows two calendars, one lunar, and one solar. most calendars sold tend to have both dates written in on the same day-- so you'll have an entry like "1 Nov 2002 ~ x day x month x year", with one being solar and the other lunar.

I found this from a Korean guy talking about Seoul. What does he mean that Korea is monoracial? After Chinese, Mongol, and Japanese invasions, I think they would be a little mixed up, like the English (Celt, Viking, Anglo and Saxon.) I also can't see how they could be exclusive of other Asians, since they look very much alike. Excluding differences in hair color, Euros look the same too, but it's language and culture that separate them.

...ok, see, the thing is, often times asians can tell where other asians are from. if not by appearance, dress, and mannerism, then by name.
also, even with the major invasions, koreans have tended to stick to koreans and having korean children. koreans are actually a good deal less mixed than most other ethnicities-- like the japanese, marriages tend to be only with those of their own kind.

After being invaded so often, I would think they would be very tolerable.

...are you nuts? if anything, you should realize that countries that have been invaded tend to hate the country that invaded them.
vietnam bears no love of france. most of africa doesn't care much for europe. russia hates the mongols. southeast asia despises china.

who colonized Korea?

only the japanese, and only for a period of forty years in which the koreans fought back as much as they could.

I'm glad they know English.

it's expected of all students to learn korean, japanese, and english in their primary education.

[molly bloom]

Originally posted by Proserpine

Molly_Bloom - from Joyce or after the pub (or both)?

I don't know a pub called Molly Bloom's- I know one at the end of Old Compton Street/Charing Cross Road called Molly Moggs', though...

From Joyce, il miglior fabbro, of course.

And you're spot on about K.O.R.- every time you think he's got something right, he's learned something, he opens his big electronic gob and sticks both feet in.

As someone of Irish descent, I can assure K.O.R. that the Irish do not drink hard liquor with every meal. Nor do they eat potatoes with every meal.

And as for eating normal food... what, like American Cheez Whizz and Oreos and Velveeta? Mmm, haven't had my full dose of artificial flavourings, colourings and gums, must rush out and get some! Twinkie rush anyone? It can save you from a murder conviction...

[Proserpine]

Originally posted by molly bloom

I don't know a pub called Molly Bloom's- I know one at the end of Old Compton Street/Charing Cross Road called Molly Moggs', though...

There is a Molly Bloom's Irish Pub listed on Yahoo at 39 Bay St, Melbourne. As you seem to be of the Australian persuasion, from that city, I thought you might know it. I might visit it myself, just for a laugh, when I am in Melbo in December.

[siredgar]

I cannot believe this thread continues to talk about dog meat in Korea. While I have visited Korea many times, I have NEVER seen anyone eat dog meat nor have I seen anyone ACTUALLY eat dog meat. I have never been offered dog meat and I don't even know what it looks like. So, perhaps I am ignorant on this issue, but I only know a few Koreans who have ever tried it and I know literally HUNDREDS of Koreans.

That's why I say that it must be served in a somewhat clandestine manner. I have heard of dog meat restaurants in the outskirts of town and in rural areas, but you can't find dog meat hot dogs at baseball games or dog meat burgers at fast food stores. It's just not like that. I get FURIOUS when I see a discussion of dog meat pertaining to Korea. Once I met this guy who, when I told him I've been to Korea many times, kept talking on and on about dog meat and asked me about dog meat in Korea. This is not what Korea is about!

Also, King of Rasslin, it is nice to see you actually contribute to the discussion by bringing in Web links. In one of your links, someone stated that dog meat eating in Korea only started really 50 years ago during the Korean War. So, again, this proves that dog meat eating is NOT really a part of Korean culture!!!

[yin26]

There are plenty of dog-meats butchers and restaurants all throughout Seoul. It's no big secret, but then again it's something most Koreans don't go out their way to take you to...

[King of Rasslin]

You know, cows are very cute too! I eat them because they taste good, but you have to not think about what they went through. So, if dog meat tasted as good as steak, I would probably eat it too. But I assume that it tastes very coarse and nasty, otherwise people would be eating it! Same would go for emu, kangaroo, and cats.

Hey, cheeze whiz, oreos,velveeta and twinkies are great! It's better eating that than eating dog meat, you know! I eat what tastes good, and I know my food.

[GhengisFarbâ„¢]

Actually, it was my impression that dog-meat was a delicacy somewhat like snails and fungus are to the French.

Believe me, I'd dig in to a dog dish before snails and fungus anyday. But the reason you don't see dog meat in Seoul is the Koreans realize Americans find it distasteful and don't offer it to them as Americans wouldn't be willing to pay the extra amount it costs.

I've had dog, snail, and fungus, and dog meat wasn't bad, I just had a hard time visualizing that I was eating dog.

Now snail and fungus, couldn't recommend those to anybody.

[yin26]

Actually, I don''t think Koreans care a bit what anybody else thinks ... at least in terms of operating a profitable business, be it selling dog meat or cell phones. As I said, there are dog meat and associated eating places all over Seoul in plain view. Of course, you need to read Korean, and most of the signs translate to 'Body Protection Soup,' which includes a variety of soups, including chicken, dog, etc.

But this is understood by the populace. You don't see big signs with a headless dog at the restaurant anymore than you see terrified, bloody cow photos outside of McDonalds ... but does that mean Americans are hiding the cow meat because India would object?

[molly bloom]

Originally posted by GhengisFarb
Actually, it was my impression that dog-meat was a delicacy somewhat like snails and fungus are to the
French....

....Now snail and fungus, couldn't recommend those to anybody.

Well, I've had pasta with white truffles and walnut oil, and I've had snails in paella and even on pizza. And in rosemary and olive oil and garlic.

And I've had Chinese soup with fungus.

I've enjoyed them all- much more so than the substitutes for cavity wall insulation, such as Velveeta and Cheez Whizz. But the important thing to remember is- de gustibus non est disputandum. And as Sir Thomas Beecham said, "Try everything twice, except incest and folk dancing."

[Proserpine]

A question for QCubed (and any one else who cares to answer) . . . what, if anything, is taught in Korea re European history?

I'm just wondering whether the names of leaders, of e.g Viking Civ are likely to be known to Korean players. Not that it matters greatly.

[Capt Dizle]

I thought yin was dead.

[LoneWolf]

Originally posted by jimmytrick
I thought yin was dead.

Actually, I thought Molly Bloom was yin. The self-importance, the arrogance, the narcissism, the rudeness. It all seemed so familiar.

Condescension. I forgot condescension.

[King of Rasslin]

Yep

Mushrooms are fungus, so I would say truffles are ok. I was taught in school that they are not very healthy, and have very few nutrients. Really just a luxury food. Snails are what the dude on "Cast Away" would eat- starve or eat snails. I can't see anyone eating snails because they would be slimy and nasty, and probably full of parasites too.

Paranoia over US meat is just being pushed by desperate Euro ranchers that want the world to believe our meat is as filthy as theirs. Well, mad cow disease says enough on its on. It's been proven that our meat is better, and Hindus hate us because they worship cows and eat goat meat.

[Proserpine]

Originally posted by King of Rasslin
Yep

Mushrooms are fungus, so I would say truffles are ok. I was taught in school that they are not very healthy, and have very few nutrients. Really just a luxury food. Snails are what the dude on "Cast Away" would eat- starve or eat snails. I can't see anyone eating snails because they would be slimy and nasty, and probably full of parasites too.

They're not garden snails! They are specially farmed and in all honesty probably healthier than (most) US beef. They are cooked, so they are not slimy.

Originally posted by King of Rasslin Paranoia over US meat is just being pushed by desperate Euro ranchers that want the world to believe our meat is as filthy as theirs. Well, mad cow disease says enough on its on.

Tell that to Oprah

Originally posted by King of Rasslin It's been proven that our meat is better, and Hindus hate us because they worship cows and eat goat meat.

Proven, by whom, exactly? Nobody hates you (in general), they just get exasperated because you (both generally and specifically) disrespect other cultures, peoples & way of life, which you know nothing at all about, nor seem to be prepared to learn something of before opening your gob(s) to shout that your way is self-evidently best. It isn't. It's just one of a number of possible ways. Before you start that is not the same as stopping (or trying) certain humanitarianly unjustifiable practices.

And if you bother to answer this post, please stick to answering the points made, and if making an assertion state whether it is opinion or fact, and if the latter quote your sources. Thanks. And good night.

[LoneWolf]

I just love seeing Euros in a tizzy. Please continue.