MetaKnigel If the Rule is Broken–Break It.

The Vengeance of Carpe Diem

The Vengeance of Carpe Diem, originally uploaded by Knigel.

One of the noteworthy aspects of Korean culture is the strict rules of etiquette that are socially enforced through shame. Koreans often mention the potential glare that keeps them from acting in a way that might be out of the ordinary. As the expression goes, "The nail that sticks out, gets the hammer".

In stark contrast are the outlets, such as drinking, that allow an escape to the normal rules. While one may adhere and even enforce the usual folkways or mores while sober, these same rules are tossed aside as a cathartic release takes the reins.

Koreans nights, throughout the weeks, are reknown for the drunken businessmen strewn along the sidewalks. This is a situation that does exist.  It may be an embarrassing circumstance similar to how Hastings Street is a sore topic for Vancouverites; however, before we work on the prescriptive oughts of our societies, we need to peel back the various descriptive elements. We must distinguish the "shoulds" from the "whats".

Furthermore, as strangers in strange lands, we should not refrain from cultural data collection in the fear of being ethnocentric; although, we should understand that we are judgemental and we can't escape our biases. We are going to judge cultures based on our experiences; however, the more experiences we collect, the more skeptical we can be about our assumptions.