A few things that really stand out compared to USA
Infrastructure - Tunnels and bridges in perfect condition. IMO, our ability to build awesome infrastructure has diminished. We went through a 6 mile tunnel at one point. If we tried to build that in the USA it would get budgeted for 1 Billion and 2 years and then end up costing 10 Billion and be halfway done in 10 years.
Taxes & Tipping - The price listed on something is what you pay. When you get the receipt, you see that taxes were already added to the total price. Why do we not do that in USA? Also, no tipping. What you see is what you pay. Presumably, the business pay enough to attract workers.
Cleanliness - Seoul is MASSIVE. It's a megapolis as far as you can see. It's also extremely clean. The subways were in mint condition.
Homeless/Begging - I only saw 1 instance in 13 days.
Homogeneous - I know this is obvious..but actually being a truly homogeneous place is interesting. When ~everyone~ is the same race, I assume that makes the scope of politics more narrow. Easier to get things done, more togetherness, etc etc. I've spent a little time in Japan too and while I have no idea if this is true, my suspicion is that Korea is a little less racist due to their past being heavily influenced by Japanese occupation. Totally anecdotal there, but I have yet to see a "No Gaijin" sign in Korea (or whatever their word for foreigner is).
Other thoughts
Westernness - Everyone is Korean and Speaks Korean. Korean writing is everywhere. So it feels foreign. However, when you strip that away its incredibly similar to USA metro areas. I was thinking about small "USA outposts" and how they are often in pretty hostile geo-political regions. S Korea borders N Korea and right next to China and Russia. Taiwan. Gwam. Isreal. All small. All heavily supported by USA. Easy to see the strategic significance.
North Korea - Literally, no one here cares. It's not even a thought in their minds. My sense is that even though there is a split between North and South, they are still the same people. There are still families that are split although I'd imagine after another 30 years or so those will cease to exist. The sentiment seems to be that N Korea does not view S Korea as true enemy. In the event of hostility, it wouldn't be directed at their own people.
Last 50 years - In 1979, South Korea was one of the poorest countires on earth. Now it is one of the richest. USA is #13 in per capita GDP @ $60k and S korea is #36 @ $39k. Considering how much cheaper most regular goods are here, I'd imagine the QOL is ~about the same~ as the USA accross the income spectrum.
Food - OMG the food. Incredible. I'm exhausted from eating so much lol. In the city of Busan (prounounced "Poo sahn") the service industry accounts for 80% or so of GDP. Not sure if that stat holds for the whole country but food is like every other store front. I'm honestly not sure how it's sustainable but I sure as hell enjoyed it.
"Small Country" - We basically drove the entire outline of the peninusla. Even though this is a small country you are still driving for hours through mountainside/countryside. I can't help but think what type of occupying force it would take to truly control it. 5 million soldiers maybe? I'm not sure the size of Taiwan but if you think about China occupying Taiwan, it may not be so easy.
EDIT 1: very few obese people.
Edit 2: in 13 days not a single LGBTQ+ flag.
I'll update this later when more stuff pops in my mind.
Infrastructure - Tunnels and bridges in perfect condition. IMO, our ability to build awesome infrastructure has diminished. We went through a 6 mile tunnel at one point. If we tried to build that in the USA it would get budgeted for 1 Billion and 2 years and then end up costing 10 Billion and be halfway done in 10 years.
Taxes & Tipping - The price listed on something is what you pay. When you get the receipt, you see that taxes were already added to the total price. Why do we not do that in USA? Also, no tipping. What you see is what you pay. Presumably, the business pay enough to attract workers.
Cleanliness - Seoul is MASSIVE. It's a megapolis as far as you can see. It's also extremely clean. The subways were in mint condition.
Homeless/Begging - I only saw 1 instance in 13 days.
Homogeneous - I know this is obvious..but actually being a truly homogeneous place is interesting. When ~everyone~ is the same race, I assume that makes the scope of politics more narrow. Easier to get things done, more togetherness, etc etc. I've spent a little time in Japan too and while I have no idea if this is true, my suspicion is that Korea is a little less racist due to their past being heavily influenced by Japanese occupation. Totally anecdotal there, but I have yet to see a "No Gaijin" sign in Korea (or whatever their word for foreigner is).
Other thoughts
Westernness - Everyone is Korean and Speaks Korean. Korean writing is everywhere. So it feels foreign. However, when you strip that away its incredibly similar to USA metro areas. I was thinking about small "USA outposts" and how they are often in pretty hostile geo-political regions. S Korea borders N Korea and right next to China and Russia. Taiwan. Gwam. Isreal. All small. All heavily supported by USA. Easy to see the strategic significance.
North Korea - Literally, no one here cares. It's not even a thought in their minds. My sense is that even though there is a split between North and South, they are still the same people. There are still families that are split although I'd imagine after another 30 years or so those will cease to exist. The sentiment seems to be that N Korea does not view S Korea as true enemy. In the event of hostility, it wouldn't be directed at their own people.
Last 50 years - In 1979, South Korea was one of the poorest countires on earth. Now it is one of the richest. USA is #13 in per capita GDP @ $60k and S korea is #36 @ $39k. Considering how much cheaper most regular goods are here, I'd imagine the QOL is ~about the same~ as the USA accross the income spectrum.
Food - OMG the food. Incredible. I'm exhausted from eating so much lol. In the city of Busan (prounounced "Poo sahn") the service industry accounts for 80% or so of GDP. Not sure if that stat holds for the whole country but food is like every other store front. I'm honestly not sure how it's sustainable but I sure as hell enjoyed it.
"Small Country" - We basically drove the entire outline of the peninusla. Even though this is a small country you are still driving for hours through mountainside/countryside. I can't help but think what type of occupying force it would take to truly control it. 5 million soldiers maybe? I'm not sure the size of Taiwan but if you think about China occupying Taiwan, it may not be so easy.
EDIT 1: very few obese people.
Edit 2: in 13 days not a single LGBTQ+ flag.
I'll update this later when more stuff pops in my mind.
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