Weโre so used to our culture that when we look at other places around the world, it might feel like a bit of a surprise. We get so caught up in our own ways that when we see something being done differently, our minds are absolutely blown!
After doing some major research on South Korea, one of the most innovative places in the world, it feels like it might just be one of the biggest culture shocks ever. But a lot of these things are actually really cool and interesting, and they even make us wish that we were there.
Check out some of the wild South Korea things we found!
Source:
Reddit
1. Honest people
It turns out that the people in South Korea are very honest. This person took to Reddit to share that he had accidentally left his wallet and all of his cards by one of the ATMs and when he went back to go get it, it was still there. People arenโt always so lucky!
Source:
Pxhere
2. True kindness
An apartment complex in the area was being painted, so you know what the painters did? They covered all of the cars to protect them from splatter. Now that is some true kindness.
Source:
Reddit
3. This actually happens all the time
And trying to avoid splatter on cars is more than a one-time thing. If they are ever painting in public, thereโs a great chance your car will be covered. For them, itโs typical protocol.
Source:
Pikabu
4. Best nursing room ever
This nursing room was found in a mall, if you can even believe it. It came equipped with a water cooler, a fridge, a microwave, and even beds and chairs. Such amazing treatment!
Source:
Instagram
5. Free samples
Beauty shops will give you all the free samples you need. Seriously, a lot of free samples. No judgment here!
Source:
Instagram
6. Lots of food
There is plenty of eating to be done in South Korea. Even if you order just one thing at a restaurant, it will come with several dishes. Another great thing about eating out there is that you will usually get plenty of free food before what you ordered even arrives to the table.
Source:
Twitter
7. Housewarming gifts
Housewarming gifts tend to always be the same in Korea. They all have meaning as well. โDetergent and soap signify the more foam, the bigger the income. And toilet paper symbolizes all the life difficulties that unwrap just like a toilet paper roll.โ
Source:
Instagram
8. Small electric cars
Small electric cars tend to be very popular in Korea. Just as popular as bicycles are in European countries, in fact. Theyโre so cute!
Source:
Instagram
9. No time
Sometimes they are so busy, they simply donโt have time for regular things like doing their hair. If that means having to get ready on the train, then so be it!
Source:
Instagram
10. Subway station library
Their subway stations are cool and they encourage reading! There is a library in the station where you can actually register with your ID and choose a book to read on the way to wherever youโre going.
Source:
Instagram
11. Small garage doors
Oftentimes, youโll see garage doors that are half open. This is because there isnโt a whole lot of space so cars are too big and donโt fit in the garage.
Source:
Instagram
12. Safe and innovative parking spaces
There are parking spaces that are marked by gender. Additionally, they are very well-lit and have more cameras to ensure safety for women.
Source:
Reddit
13. Transparent pockets
There are transparent pockets on the back of bus seats so that you can watch movies or TV on your phone during your ride. Itโs little details like these that really make it feel like Korea thinks of everything!
Source:
Imgur
14. A strange product, for good measureโฆ
Okay, Korea has definitely been proving to us just how innovative they are. But there is one thing: these black head nose strips made for babiesโฆ Not sure why these were ever made but hey, it makes for a good laugh!
Source:
Imgur
15. Local laundry station
โIโve lived in four cities over 10 years and this is the first I have seen of these,โ this person wrote via Reddit. โIt has been around for a very very long time but was renovated in the last two years. Apparently it is used quite a lot by the elderly especially.โ
Source:
Reddit
16. Love to stretch
โKoreans love stretching and they can do it anywhere: in the office, at a bus stop, or even on the plane โ anywhere they can sit for a long time while getting better blood circulation. They love massages and do it in different ways. They also use trees very often for this.โ
Source:
Instagram
17. Tortured feet
โI love these public stone foot massage areas. After a long walk it refreshes your body and seoul. We found it after going for a walk on a nearby hill.โ
Source:
Instagram
18. Candy holder
Korea even has little candy holders for when you donโt finish the whole thing. Only want to eat half of your Twix? Thatโs totally fine! Put the other half away in this handy little container.
Source:
Imgur
19. Men are close
โIn South Korea, men are very close and supportive of one another. For example, they often put their hands on the shoulders of their colleagues. They may even massage each other and itโs perfectly normal.โ
Source:
Program Tving
20. Real estate
โA home is a requirement for getting married. Real estate is very expensive and young couples canโt always afford a house. Many people refuse to have a family and live alone.โ
Source:
East News
21. Work etiquette
Bosses tend to have their own hobbies and invite their employees to join them on the weekends. Itโs important that their employees join them but if they canโt, they need to tell them what their plan is and what time it is happening in order to decline.
Source:
Pxhere
22. Honor system
โJeju city has this refreshing site: a pay parking area that works on an honor-system: you just insert your 500 coin per hour you plan to park. No electronics, no worker, no tickets, no receipts, just mutual interest in supporting the city.โ
Source:
Reddit
23. Theyโre obsessed withโฆ poop
Itโs true โ they love poop-shaped cookies and phone charms. They even have an entire museum dedicated to poop. Toilets also come with pleasant music, flushing sounds, and colored water.
Source:
Trip Advisor
24. Korean men love makeup
โSouth Korean men love makeup, spending close to US $900 million a year, or a quarter of the worldโs menโs cosmetics,โ according to Fact Retriever. Makeup is for everyone!
Source:
Youtube
25. Alcohol
Itโs totally legal to drink public outside in public in South Korea. People carry open containers with their beverage around, and theyโll even get a couple of drinks.
Source:
CNN
26. Red ink
Red ink actually has significant meaning. If a personโs name is written in red ink, it means that they have passed away or they are about to.
Source:
True Activist
27. Group blind dating
Group blind dating a thing, and itโs called โmeetingโ or โso-getting.โ Itโs especially popular for younger university students who are looking to meet each other over drinks.
Source:
Inspire Me Korea Blog
28. PDA Central
Couples love PDA there. You can see plenty of couples showing each other affection when out in public. They hold hands, kiss, and even wear matching outfits.
Source:
Pinterest
29. Honey Butter Chips
South Koreans love Honey Butter Cups. What are those, you ask? They are potato chips flavored with honey and butter from France. Shops run out of them so fast, raffles are drawn for a chance to win a bag. They also go for $100 on eBay.
Source:
Amazon
30. Robotic prison guards
In 2012, the city of Pohang received the worldโs first-ever robotic prison guards. The country also uses robots as teachers and to guard the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea.
Source:
Phys.org
Is South Korea not the most progressive country ever? Itโs definitely worth paying a visit to after hearing about all of the cool stuff it has to offer!
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