ArnoldC
Member
- Location
- Texas, USA
Army posted me to Korea 1998-2000. It was a command sponsored billet and my wife was authorized to accompany me. At the time, I was in my late 50s and Linda was bumping up on 60.
We used public transportation for moving about off post in Seoul. First question our Korean hosts would always politely ask was "How old you?" At first it was a bit off-putting. But came to realize the Korean society attaches much respect to the aging. Because of our ages were close to 60 we were given special consideration for seating and many times the younger would offer their seats in a sign to deference to our age. And the many places we visited, we were treated special because we were aging.
I'm not sure that equates to 'power', per se. In retrospect we did not feel entitled or empowered. We felt humbled by the respect we received.
By contrast, and after returning stateside and retiring, feel irrelevant. Difference in social acceptance, I guess.
We used public transportation for moving about off post in Seoul. First question our Korean hosts would always politely ask was "How old you?" At first it was a bit off-putting. But came to realize the Korean society attaches much respect to the aging. Because of our ages were close to 60 we were given special consideration for seating and many times the younger would offer their seats in a sign to deference to our age. And the many places we visited, we were treated special because we were aging.
I'm not sure that equates to 'power', per se. In retrospect we did not feel entitled or empowered. We felt humbled by the respect we received.
By contrast, and after returning stateside and retiring, feel irrelevant. Difference in social acceptance, I guess.
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