Jessica asked:

So I have a question : Do Korean people value and respect more Europeans (more specifically continental Europeans) than us, Americans or British folks?

At my University, me and my buddies befriended few Korean exchange students (1 girl and 2 guys). The other day we were talking about Europe. At one point I asked them what they though about Europe, and if they liked America better. They all told me unanimously that they really liked America, but they preferred Europe (particularly Italy, France and Spain). I asked why, and they basically told me that Europeans are good looking, more cultured, better dressed, thinner than us Americans, and that basically Europe was old and beautiful with lots of different languages and cultures. So I laughed, and was like “alright, fair enough”. But I have to say that the way they answered my questions really gave me the strong impression that they really think Europeans are far better than Americans. Also, oddly enough: the guys seems to think that American and British women seemed more promiscuous than the European ones (ok that kind of pissed me off, and I don’t think I need to explain why… –_-)



It is true that Koreans in general have somewhat higher opinion of Europe than America. First thing Kimchi Man mentioned is that they think Europe has better welfare system.

I believe the reason that Koreans tend to romanticize Europe simply comes from being around Americans more. It is difficult to idealize something you know well.

Most Korean students that go study abroad go to English-speaking countries. Koreans and American have been having extensive relations for more than 60 years. As you probably know, there are over twenty thousand United States troops stationed in Korea right now, and most numerous westerns in South Korea are North Americans teaching English. There are countless other examples of South Korea being more connected to United States than Europe, but is it enough to say that I have never even heard of Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robins until I started spending time around Koreans?

However, Kimchi Man also made sure I understand that all this does not mean they have bad opinion about Americans.

I believe he knows what he is saying, since according to Pew Research Center’s poll in 2010, South Koreans have the 4th and 3rd most favorable view in the world of the United States and American people, respectively.

As far as the Korean male view of western women’s promiscuity goes you can read our previous answer to the question Do Korean men think western women are easy.

– Oegukeen

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