By Bernard Rowan
When I prepared for my first visit to Korea, I read a passage in a cultural education guide about Koreans' understanding of personal space. Americans, as readers likely know, have an exaggerated conception of personal space.
The famous but aging children's program "Barney & Friends" featured a song about "personal space." Some Americans take offense if someone stands too close. I'd say that's within three feet. Some feel threatened or challenged. The guide to Korea said visitors shouldn't worry in crowds and Korean public settings where this convention doesn't exist.
I must say after visiting Korea many times, the guide doesn't ring true. I think Koreans care about personal space as much as anyone. Perhaps they're not so passionate or likely to rear up when someone stands close. An exaggerated understanding of space simply won't work on a Seoul subway. However, Koreans mind personal space too.
Recently in both countries, though I gather later in South Korea, the practice of what's called "social distancing" has arisen. Social distancing is keeping a safe distance from others for health reasons. COVID-19 pandemic history will discuss social distancing as a way of saving lives. It's a reciprocal hedge because we don't know if others have the bug. It shows common self-regard.
Social distancing struck me as pitiful when I first met it. Inside, I took mild offense when colleagues, neighbors, and strangers "backed up" as I approached the Barney zone (the Barney zone is now six feet of personal space). I thought, "These people are full of themselves." I now think this opinion was stupid. Plato called opinions "doxa" and they might or mightn't have reason. I think social distancing and the idea of personal space are important. It's a lesson from this pandemic. It's also a reminder of respect for people.
Korea has many value streams touching on matters of personal integrity. Korean Confucian ideas include right conduct and manners following right conduct. The values of Korean society commit each person to lifelong development and avoiding scapegoating. They extend a core respect for the relationships of daily life as the basis for harmony and humanity.
In turn, when COVID-19 hit and authorities called for distancing, it has been heartening to see how many people have embraced the practice of respecting personal space. Keeping six feet of distance sounds a bit like keeping six car lengths between one's car and the next on the interstate or highway. We're learning that danger to life and public health isn't always about knives, guns and bombs.
Social distancing as a practice respects life. I want to make it through this pandemic. I want others to do so as well. Instead of taking offense, one should see social distancing as embodying a fundamental regard for others. It's likely a good correction to the way people "normally" behave, moving into and out of personal spaces, often in a hurry, and thinking of "me, myself and I." In a sense social distancing in 2020 frames a return to some basic practices busy cultures often ignore or forget to follow consistently.
Koreans have achieved success now through harmony in uniting their traditions and ethics with the practices of public health. The world marvels at COVID-19's virulence, but in South Korea the incidences of death and disease have begun to crest and fall. Of course, it's right to be cautious and continue the practices of social distancing, testing and aggressive quarantining of the infected, in hospitals or otherwise. America has moved to copy the practices used in Asian countries to fight COVID-19.
I hope social distancing will morph into a new era of respect for people and personal space. Just as so many have seamlessly practiced the new Barney rule, let "six feet" mean not keeping distance alone. It means we care. Public health threats will continue to arise. Our behavior must evolve and renew.
Take good care, friends in Korea. Spring is coming, and may it remind us of life's fragility and beauty, even in these dreadful times.
Bernard Rowan (browan10@yahoo.com) is associate provost for contract administration and professor of political science at Chicago State University. He is a past fellow of the Korea Foundation and former visiting professor at Hanyang University.
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The famous but aging children's program "Barney & Friends" featured a song about "personal space." Some Americans take offense if someone stands too close. I'd say that's within three feet. Some feel threatened or challenged. The guide to Korea said visitors shouldn't worry in crowds and Korean public settings where this convention doesn't exist.
I must say after visiting Korea many times, the guide doesn't ring true. I think Koreans care about personal space as much as anyone. Perhaps they're not so passionate or likely to rear up when someone stands close. An exaggerated understanding of space simply won't work on a Seoul subway. However, Koreans mind personal space too.
Recently in both countries, though I gather later in South Korea, the practice of what's called "social distancing" has arisen. Social distancing is keeping a safe distance from others for health reasons. COVID-19 pandemic history will discuss social distancing as a way of saving lives. It's a reciprocal hedge because we don't know if others have the bug. It shows common self-regard.
Social distancing struck me as pitiful when I first met it. Inside, I took mild offense when colleagues, neighbors, and strangers "backed up" as I approached the Barney zone (the Barney zone is now six feet of personal space). I thought, "These people are full of themselves." I now think this opinion was stupid. Plato called opinions "doxa" and they might or mightn't have reason. I think social distancing and the idea of personal space are important. It's a lesson from this pandemic. It's also a reminder of respect for people.
Korea has many value streams touching on matters of personal integrity. Korean Confucian ideas include right conduct and manners following right conduct. The values of Korean society commit each person to lifelong development and avoiding scapegoating. They extend a core respect for the relationships of daily life as the basis for harmony and humanity.
In turn, when COVID-19 hit and authorities called for distancing, it has been heartening to see how many people have embraced the practice of respecting personal space. Keeping six feet of distance sounds a bit like keeping six car lengths between one's car and the next on the interstate or highway. We're learning that danger to life and public health isn't always about knives, guns and bombs.
Social distancing as a practice respects life. I want to make it through this pandemic. I want others to do so as well. Instead of taking offense, one should see social distancing as embodying a fundamental regard for others. It's likely a good correction to the way people "normally" behave, moving into and out of personal spaces, often in a hurry, and thinking of "me, myself and I." In a sense social distancing in 2020 frames a return to some basic practices busy cultures often ignore or forget to follow consistently.
Koreans have achieved success now through harmony in uniting their traditions and ethics with the practices of public health. The world marvels at COVID-19's virulence, but in South Korea the incidences of death and disease have begun to crest and fall. Of course, it's right to be cautious and continue the practices of social distancing, testing and aggressive quarantining of the infected, in hospitals or otherwise. America has moved to copy the practices used in Asian countries to fight COVID-19.
I hope social distancing will morph into a new era of respect for people and personal space. Just as so many have seamlessly practiced the new Barney rule, let "six feet" mean not keeping distance alone. It means we care. Public health threats will continue to arise. Our behavior must evolve and renew.
Take good care, friends in Korea. Spring is coming, and may it remind us of life's fragility and beauty, even in these dreadful times.
Bernard Rowan (browan10@yahoo.com) is associate provost for contract administration and professor of political science at Chicago State University. He is a past fellow of the Korea Foundation and former visiting professor at Hanyang University.
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