4nd 02월 09일 Wed 19:00

[Neo.]

Monday, Wed 9^th, Neo’s Zone

참여 댓글 달아주세요!! http://cafe.daum.net/ehoc

Leader: Neo

Time Table

19:00 - 19:20	Introduction for new comers, Small Talk, Warming Up & Grouping
19:20 - 19:30	Break time
19:30 - 20:10	Conversation with Topic 1
20:10 - 20:20	Break time
20:20 - 21:00	Conversation with Topic 2
21:00 - 21:05	Wrapping up

<Small Talk>

1. How’s your weekdays?

2. What did you do before going to this class?

3. No topics are available this time. Talk casual.

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<Topic 1> Talk about what Koreans do for Valentine’s Day

Koreans celebrate Valentine’s Day in their own unique way. Rather than the guys buying treats for the girls, it’s typically the other way around. It’s the girl’s responsibility to buy chocolates for her boyfriend or guy friends. This is different from the West as the males typically feel more pressure to impress the females. You may think that Korea’s Valentine’s Day is unfair for the girls. No worries. The ladies get their turn to be treated exactly a month later on White Day. On that day, it is the guy’s turn to reciprocate and buy the girls candy. Gift-giving custom aside, Valentine’s Day could be the perfect opportunity to profess your affection for someone. There are even services that provide special events for anyone wanting to plan the perfect romantic date. Couples in love will usually go out for a romantic dinner.

< Questions >

1.     What do you normally do for Valentine’s Day?

2.     Have you ever given a gift to someone for Valentine’s Day?

3.     Do you know about the true meaning of Valentine’s day?

<Topic 2> More Koreans DO Eating, Watch Movies Alone

One thing new foreign expats to South Korea soon find out about the nation is that here people hate to do things alone. Eating alone during lunch hours at a restaurant, for example, is simply strange.
 In a society that highly favors grouping, eating alone during lunch hours looks awkward. So is going to see movies. You seldom see Koreans going to a cinema alone. So is drinking. Unlike in Western society, Koreans don't have a habit of going to a bar and drink ``soju'' alone. Koreans also avoid travelling alone either.
 But things are shifting now, according to Chosun Ilbo. It said an increasing number of Koreans now do things alone. For example, in Mapo district in Seoul, there is a noodle shop, Yichimen, which has 23 tables. Eleven of them are for a single-person.
 "Every day, we have 250 people eating at my restaurant. About 110 of them come here by themselves," said Lee Myung-jae, the manager.
 There are also coffee shops in Seoul's Gangnam area that have seats facing walls. Here, many people don't come to meet their friends. Rather, they come alone and use their notebook computer while sipping a coffee latte.
 Chosun Ilbo added there are an increasing number of people who go to movies alone and travel alone.
 This change, while normal in Western society that is often characterized for its emphasis on individualism, is pretty unusual in Korea.
 In Korean society that attaches a great import!!!!ance to group activities, eating alone, going to a movie alone could even imply that you don't have friends or you don't belong to any social group, a great disadvantage in Korea. One could be even perceived as a "loser" for that matter.
 The new trend, according to the newspaper, is mainly driven by members of young generation who find it comfortable and even efficient to do things alone.
 "When I eat with other people, it takes more time and inefficient," said Kim Yu-na, 21, a college student in Seoul. "It's same when you go to a movie with other people. You could get distracted."
 Young people looking for job opportunities in the ever-shrinking employment market want to save time, the newspaper said, citing it as one reason for the trend. It didn't mention whether it is also a reflection of greater social change amid Korea's deepening integration into globalization, including Western influence

< Questions >

1. Is it uncomfortable for you to have lunch or watch movie alone?
2. Are you afraid of doing those things alone because it could even imply that you don't have friends or

you don't belong to any social group? Have you had a lunch or dinner alone at University?
3.These days, lots of people go to coffee shops alone and use their laptop computer or read a book with a coffee.  What do you think about that? Do you think that they just want to show off themselves? Do you still see them like 된장남 or 된장녀  If you go to coffe shop alone what do you do? 
4.These days, Coffee shops and restaurants are adding tables for single. What are the    factors of this trend?  
5. What will be the effect of the trend and phenomenon of having a meal or coffee alone?
For example, People are losing the opportunity of conversation. Because they don’t talk, but just do web surfing. 
6. Have you ever been to travel alone? What do you think about it?
And let’s share what you usually do when you are alone. 

Neo's Zone 20110209.doc

[Oscar]

오늘 참여합니다~^^

[James7]

참여합니다~

[hailey]

참여합니다

[★Amelie★]

토픽준비했습니당^^