Life&Culture
Pressure Points In series
The trivial, yet surprinsgly contentious debates in life
#controversy
# Pros and cons
Would you like to subscribe?
Pressure Points In series
The trivial, yet surprinsgly contentious debates in life
Would you like to subscribe?
Should noise from playgrounds be regulated?
Communal childrens‘ playgrounds in apartment complexes have become a source of resident complaints over noise pollution In South Korea, where apartment buildings dominate the residential landscape, communal playgrounds within these high-rise complexes serve as a hub for children to play outdoors. Ho
May 28, 2024 - 15:30:38
Should non-drinkers split the check with friends who drink?
Where does the value of liquor lie at gatherings involving food and alcohol: in its price tag or in its mood-enhancing role? The social pressure on non-drinkers to chip in for their friends‘ alcoholic drinks is a contentious issue here, as shared platters, paid for collectively, often make up the bu
May 14, 2024 - 15:37:03
Leggings in public: Fashion statement or social faux pas?
The question of whether leggings are suitable for everyday public wear has been a globally debated issue, transcending national borders. Since the “athleisure” trend took off around 2016, merging athletic wear with everyday fashion, particularly gaining traction among young Koreans, the appropriaten
April 23, 2024 - 16:27:54
Wearing hair rollers in public: Breach of social etiquette?
In South Korea these days, it is not unusual to come across young women styling their bangs with hair rollers outside of their homes or hair salons, in offices, subways, buses or classrooms. While some onlookers deem this style inappropriate for public settings, one might even wonder whether it has
April 9, 2024 - 14:46:27
Gifting condolence money at dog’s funeral: a new ritual?
Gifting condolence money in a white envelope to those you are close to who are in mourning is a long-standing tradition in South Korea. Yet, when this custom coincides with Korea‘s increasing number of pet owners and evolving pet-friendly culture, it might take an unexpected turn in this nation whic
March 5, 2024 - 16:21:33
Bear with us: Conservation success story or public hazard?
Korea’s ancient founding myth features two predatory animals, a tiger and a bear, both of which once freely roamed the hilly terrains of the Korean Peninsula. By the late 1990s, however, both species had become extinct or nearly extinct in the wild, while hikers and trekkers came to replace them as
Feb. 20, 2024 - 17:40:17
Lingering after meals during peak hours. Courtesy needed?
At Korea‘s busy eateries, diners lingering after eating often get disapproving looks from restaurant owners or those still waiting for a table. While this tension between leisurely dining and the demand for tables exists elsewhere, it can be highly pronounced in South Korea, where meals typically do
Feb. 11, 2024 - 16:01:38
Grilling meat on apartment balcony: right or public nuisance?
It might seem an ordinary domestic scene -- a picture of someone grilling pork belly on the enclosed balcony of their apartment -- but it touched off a storm of debate. The person who uploaded the photo said a neighbor living above them had taken exception to the smell and smoke coming from the barb
Jan. 23, 2024 - 16:24:42
Babies crying on flights. Should we blame parents?
Air travel has become a common affair for many -- not just for grown-ups, but also for tiny tots. Yet, as more families travel with young children, the number of those who feel irritated by the presence of little ones on flights seems to have risen in recent years. In August 2022, a 46-year-old man
Jan. 9, 2024 - 16:10:47
