B eing a solamente girl traveller anywhere within the globe is sold with its quirks. Every nation has specific values and objectives exactly how ladies should act, gown and talk. Southern Korea is not any exclusion. I’m presently residing in Seoul for the semester abroad at Kyung Hee University, but the most of my education has originate from not in the class room.

Brief is fine, low is certainly not

The thing that is first noticed about Korean females ended up being exactly just exactly how high the neckline of these tops is. Spaghetti-strap summer dresses are used over tees. Oversized sweaters and billowy blouses are every-where, even yet in the heat that is smoggy of August. One thing explained that it is significantly more than a simple fashion trend, and I’m right.

In Korea, showing the collarbone is known as too sexy, since the feminine upper body is observed to be distinctly distinct from the chest that is male. Nevertheless, the shortest shorts, skirts and dresses are appropriate. Another fashion that is korean (and my favourite) is partners that are dressed match, gf and boyfriend putting on exactly the same shirts, sweaters and colour of trousers to freely show they are together.

We you will need to dress respectfully, but We don’t always be successful; the majority of my tops, that we brought from your home, show my collarbone. We have undoubtedly gotten several stares that are harsh the older generations while riding the subway. We don’t have actually the normal small Korean framework, and Korea has a ‘one-size fits all culture that is. If you discover a shop with little, medium and options that are large you’re probably in H&M or a tourist area, such as for instance Itaewon. And regrettably, pretty Korean boutiques seldom permit you to put on garments within the store. Buying garments let me reveal hence a battle for me personally.

Beauty comes first

In Korea, being breathtaking is really important. In the event that you aspire to secure work or find an enchanting partner, you need to be appealing. Also guys utilize beauty items, including specialty male makeup. Instead of motivating variety, cookie-cutter conformity is desired, and cosmetic surgery is typical. Whether it is an eye fixed lift as a ‘sweet 16’ birthday celebration present or a ‘vacation’ that leads to a fresh look, modifications which make the nose higher, eyes wider or chin more V-shaped are praised.

As a high female that is white Korea, we have stared at a whole lot. Korean’s aren’t afraid to touch upon your look, because you aren’t wearing make-up or they think your outfit is unflattering whether it’s. I’ve never been the kind of woman to spend 30 minutes cleansing my face during the night, but I’ve completely dropped for the 10-step Korean beauty routine. It seems absurd, but pampering my skin before We go to bed is my brand new favourite method to practise self-love.

Toilet culture

It is absolutely the most challenging component about located in Korea being a female that is foreign. You will find large amount of distinctions with regards to ‘doing your online business’ in this nation. To begin with, rest room paper goes into the garbage can, perhaps not into the lavatory. (Yeah, i believe it is types of gross).

While you can still find some squat toilets around, you won’t be hard-pressed to get a toilet that is western specially in Seoul. Some toilets seem like RoboToilets through the future, with selection of buttons to spray your base, dry yourself or play music, dependent on your preference.

Public toilets in subway channels have become clean (and they’re absolve to utilize, unlike in other elements of the global globe). Many restaurants share neighbouring businesses to their toilet, therefore it is frequently positioned outside or up a trip of stairs. The whole restroom in my dorm space functions as my bath. There’s a shower nozzle linked to the tap faucet, hanging over the sink. Once I shower, i must shut the toilet home and take away anything we don’t need to get wet. The toilet, walls and flooring always find yourself wet.

While things are truly various in Seoul in comparison to life home in Canada, they may not be fundamentally better or worse. We am being employed to eating with flat metal chopsticks, finding my means across the metro, and investing more hours ( and cash) than previously moisturising my epidermis. Being a international feminine, I find Seoul become among the best, liveliest and most culturally-intriguing places I’ve ever lived. Now if perhaps i will find collarbone-covering shirts my size.