Friday, January 09, 2026

What are the similarities and differences between Filipino and Korean culture, attitude, beliefs, and traditions?

There are none in Korea. Come to think of it, I haven’t even seen a woman who is visibly pregnant in the streets of Seoul. My Korean friends were so shocked to see Filipina women working well into their trimester because from where they lived, soon as you hit your 3rd or 4th month, you’d just have to stay home. Yes, they take care of their pregnant women a lot.

I was asked by some Korean women if I fart in front of my boyfriend. “Who doesn’t?” I replied. Well, apparently it’s not acceptable in Korea, not even in front of your own family members. They shared that even in their homes, they have to go to the toilet or excuse themselves before they pass gas.

Unlike in the Philippines or in other places in the world where you could pay your bill at the table, one has to pay at the counter on the way out of the restaurant. Of course, no one briefed me about this on my first solo trip to Korea so imagine the confusion of the baffled waiter when I gave my money to him.

Unlike in the Philippines, Koreans do not have a tradition of inviting people over to their homes to have dinner or even just hang out, and it has nothing to do with the size of their houses. I used to be bothered by this but I’ve come to accept that even if I offer my own room for them stay while in Manila, I probably won’t get to see their door in Korea.

If you ever get into a relationship with a Korean, please do not expect him/her to introduce you to his parents like what we do here in the country. Not even when you’ve been together for years. Most people introduce their partners to their parents just before they get married and the question right away is “when is the wedding?”

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