Small Talk in the US vs. Korea 🇺🇸🇰🇷

#smalltalk #koreanculture #koreanconversations #learnkorean

[@lukecontador]

So small talk in Korea is done telepathically, got it.

[@evybethm5538]

😂

[@blackman5867]

Proof that Korea is ahead of us ☝️🤓

[@Volundur9567]

Same for Germans 😂

[@stormyweather9038]

Life lesson, never complain to strangers… but know that they might feel the same without saying it. . If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say it at all vibes. Idk I’m stupid.

[@jenniferpearce1052]

​@@stormyweather9038I took it as, "you never know who you might bond with if you don't speak up." Imagine if you see the same guy every day. 2 weeks later, you're friends

[@randi4321]

Bring a baby around with you in Korea. It certainly attracts lots of conversations, whether you want it or not 😅

[@daywalker3735]

First mission Find a baby!!!

[@akhlaksheikh1640]

Your name is actually rand*? 😂

[@lunaneila]

@@daywalker3735 remember: no matter if it’s yours, take it at all costs to complete the mission 🫡

[@mimimimek3488]

​@@daywalker3735just make one

[@herz11]

an exotic equipment

[@katiekawaii]

I tutor Korean international students here in the US, and one time I was in an elevator with one of my students when a stranger also got on. When they got off, my student asked how the stranger and I knew each other. To her, our small talk seemed like the kind of conversation she would only have with a close friend. She was shocked when I told her I had never met them before in my life. 😅

[@vminhope3040]

😂 Yeah we just tend to be really open to talking with strangers

[@luchafonseca2653]

I'm Brazilian and in my first time in USA, I had this long talk with a woman in a park. 30 minutes later my american friend asked me how we know each other. I said I dont! 😂😂😂

[@douba_plusa]

@@luchafonseca2653🤣🤣🤣it be like that sometimes

[@gpep4169]

Different regions in the US talk more to strangers. The American conversation is me 100%, sometimes I start the convo, many times others do. I think this happens a lot in the Midwest (US). 😊

[@gpep4169]

​@@luchafonseca2653I met one of my favorite people on a university field trip over Spring Break and spent the following 6 hours with her, including offering to drive her home, then proceeded to talk in my car behind her apartment for 2 hours. She was from Brasil and her American boyfriend didn't understand how we could connect so well, and spend so much time talking after just meeting 😊

[@watsoncorgi]

Reality: Not even hello just nod 😂

[@Lalihaaaaa]

That's true yes

[@jippiijajee]

In Finland: not even the nod😂

[@hnrccaa]

​@@jippiijajee really or cliché?

[@jippiijajee]

@@hnrccaa 80 % of the time I don't react with any way and 20 % of the cases I might react somehow. Bit a cliche of course but there is strong reality background

[@GGD707]

Cold people? 😣😬😮‍💨​@@jippiijajee

[@nicoleabrahao1026]

Meanwhile In Brazil: Hi, good morning, let's talk about the elevator, the weather, your family, how bad the economy is, politics, what we saw on TV, extend the conversation to the hallways, the sidewalk leaving the building and stop only when we absolutely have to part ways (possibly after a few minutes of conversation in which we just stood there because no one wanted to stop chatting to go different ways).

[@yin_xing]

Brazilians r everywhere

[@vtmorphine]

That's in every latinamerican country😂

[@EvaLorna]

"How bad the economy is" and "politics" realy got me😂😂😂😂

[@brittanydennis7743]

Is my mom secretly Brazilian?

[@thatrabbit09]

North african here. I could confirm to you that we share a lot in common with Latin culture, especially in this one

[@npcimknot958]

In japan the elevator talks to you lol

[@29adya]

bro what

[@katiekawaii]

😂

[@episode6978]

LMFAOO 😂

[@jesusforever444]

Lol 😂

[@xamified4432]

😂😂😂 it really does

[@wrldtrvlr4vr]

Korea works great for introverts

[@JanuWaray]

Based on this video, I think I am originally Korean.😊

[@riannepaborito]

depends. they say most restaurants are not introvert-friendly in korea.

[@marcofearg9956]

it´s actually worst

[@SY-ok2dq]

It only applies to strangers - outsiders. With people you know, family, yoir relatives etc, work colleagues etc., there is a lot of being forced into activities and socializing with them which you may not want, them interfering in your life and choices etc. Social obligation is big in many parts of Asia.

[@alexiz0013]

​@@SY-ok2dq So true 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@Oviraptor10]

You really overdid it with the Korean one, guys 😂 not even THAT little amount of talk happens.

[@JennyJenJenJJ]

THEY DONT EVEN SAY HELLO 😭 ITS SO AWKWARD

[@kairi210]

@@JennyJenJenJJit’s even more awkward if someone does say helo 💀 I think we’re strangers in an elevator there’s no reason to talk

[@coffeemug42]

@@kairi210 ikr? why would i talk w randos

[@furuyakeifu]

😂😂

[@kachuleinchen]

I just wanted to say I'm surprised they greeted each other. Here in Switzerland we don't talk to strangers (my shy self is glad, I hate small talk😂) and I thought it would be similar in Korea

[@saniyapatidar340]

Indians - what is small talk We only have long talk

[@yin_xing]

What would be long talk?

[@heyitsmira17]

​@@yin_xing a taaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalk

[@yin_xing]

@@heyitsmira17 aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ok

[@Volundur9567]

No lies detected

[@princetonfaneearlblithe2334]

Same with Mexicans 😂

[@rlorendean]

I was raised in the American south. We will talk to rocks if no one is around.

[@crystalpinnix8907]

Rocks, bugs, trees, literally anything or anyone. 😂 I've learned the most about absolute strangers in waiting rooms, and grocery stores.

[@Giraffe27]

I appreciate southern people as a terminally shy person. As painful as it is I love that they force me out of my shell😅

[@Giraffe27]

@@crystalpinnix8907 lol one year I spent thanksgiving with a family I met at Panera

[@crystalpinnix8907]

@@Giraffe27 😂 that's awesome!

[@Ryuuz4k1]

LMAO I'm south american most of ppl here are REALLY extrovert but i'm REALLY introvert, it's kinda funny

[@wolf-bass]

In the elevator of my apartment in Korea, a guy got on carrying a double bass bow case. I asked him, in Korean, if he was a double bass player. He said, “네 (yes)”. I said, “저도요 (me too)”. He nodded and we traveled the next 10 flights in complete silence!

[@registeredjopper]

damn that should've initiated a whole convo tbh. that's so sad 😭

[@toddherrera5977]

Your mistake was you replied "me too".

[@fadhabashir405]

😂😅

[@ReapingWillow]

To be fair, it could have been MUCH worse. He could have replied with... "WHAT? WAIT, THAT'S WHAT IS THIS IS FOR!? I HAVE BEEN TRANSPORTING THE SMALLEST IN IT FOR YEARS!... Now I can't stop thinking about where the instrument is that originally cwme in it! I've truly never seen it, and this was in my basement! I would have definitely seen a giant horn while i was renovating down there for if I ever hosted potentially loud guests. Great! Well, I guess I now need to check again, because you know what egg crates AREN'T likely going to be enough to absorb A DOUBLE BASS HORN!! IS IT MISS!?" *DING* (Door closes... He proceeds to suddenly turn and face you, forcing a prolonged and unflinching eye contact.) Other than myself, this is why people here don't have kids! They always figure out how to ruin everything you do for/to them! AND WHAT YOU THOUGHT WAS A ONE OF KIND HARD CASE LITTLE BUDDY BODY BAG! SOME STAINS JUST DON'T COME OUT YOU KNOW! *Ding* (Door opens.... he leaves in a huff.) Then it's just you, still listening to that new album via your micro airpods, thinking- "Did he just talk to himself half the way up, and then AT ME regarding something about KIDS, for the rest of the of it!? ! Ugh, this is EXACTLY why Koreans don't do small talk OR kids. Then there's this guy, just going on and on! I mean... who knows what he's capable of! NO THANK YOU!

[@ReasonableRadio]

It would take at least a triple bass to get the conversation flowing.

[@Bubis1907]

In Brazil they would spend three days talking to each other and one would visit the other's house on the weekend.

[@MaraSamsara]

😂

[@parkvikkie1480]

Guess I’m not Russian, I’m Brazilian lol

[@PolishBehemoth]

I like brazilians. Ive been to rio

[@dasanmarezz]

Just like spanish speakers, we are like cousins lol.

[@mai.m.]

i prefer the korean version. i'm an introvert so this brings me peace lmao

[@starmoalitiny]

Saaaaaame

[@Btsworld151]

Sammeee😂

[@leannemorris5192]

Came here to say that exact thing. 😂👍

[@NarnianLady]

Welcome to Finland then 😊

[@mrym_.]

😭noooo I get so awkward when other ppl feel awkward, I'd rather someone just talk than feel the tension

[@G.of.J.]

Being in the south of america, it's even more than that lol. The other day, we had pizza on the elevator and everyone wanted some. We all had a laugh. People are very outgoing here.

[@detective2221]

Sounds like a nightmare.

[@selohcin]

Pizza in an elevator? Where did this happen?

[@checreates]

It’s so true. I’m in Japan right now and it’s killing me not to be able to have small talk because I’m so used to it 😂😂😂

[@yin_xing]

Here in Taiwan we have more small talks

[@mirroredhour]

I'd relish in it lol

[@clinton4161]

Actually Japanese people can be pretty open to small talk if you initiate it especially with foreigners. You should try it sometime.

[@yin_xing]

@@clinton4161 I've never seen that

[@TheCurlyHedgehog]

​@@yin_xinghah? I just lived in Taiwan for two years, the small talk there is minimal with locals. All my friends were foreigners. I was so happy I got fired and left there 😂

[@jil8091]

Germany: not even a hello in the elevator

[@horriblecovers4748]

in Russia the same

[@Smittenhamster]

I mean a friendly nod is enough.

[@cl7658]

We don’t even have eyes contact in China, just ignored people around you.

[@kimberlygriffin6285]

Not even in Korea lol. Idk what they are talking about!

[@brainless4u]

In Finland you also avoid getting in the same elevator with strangers, if possible. 😂

[@Morrisseys7thFriend]

If you go to Korea and see a Korean wearing k-pop merch for the group you like, I recommend keeping your excitement to yourself.

[@yesibot.2051]

You have to tell us the story 😆😆😆

[@josi0.062]

Right, like what’s the context here?

[@amdiary7]

TELL US.

[@hira1248]

Lmao who hurts u and what happened after?😂

[@yusinu6642]

💀

[@TS-fk7ws]

Im a shy person but i still smile, nod and speak when spoken to lol

[@raylue6273]

Koreans 🤝🏼 germans Awkwardly quiet elevator rides

[@RussianComprehensive]

Same with Russians

[@annette_tkachenko]

​@@RussianComprehensive Russians: 🗿🗿

[@ho-riso]

​@@annette_tkachenko почему камень, ахавхах? По-моему у нас так и происходит) ну, может ещё от города зависит, я в небольшом городке живу, у нас максимум спросят "вам до какого этажа?", и тишина😅

[@annette_tkachenko]

@@ho-riso и я имею в виду то же самое, едут с каменными лицами, не обращая внимания друг на друга, максимум спросив про этаж.

[@ho-riso]

@@annette_tkachenko аа, ой, извините тогда, не так поняла

[@user-vj4dp4xr8k]

in finland: no one says a word.

[@fetB]

which is nice. Why bother people with meaningless stuff. Maybe they are thinking about something. Why interrupt it for nothing.

[@Methdemon]

finnish happiest country EU

[@hundvd_7]

Honestly I'm just impressed how realistic your US (western) small talk was People always portray it as way more awkward, but it really isn't all that bad usually

[@amoyastay]

Its way more awkward when one of you is introverted & doesn't do small talk well.

[@krisg9079]

I hate making small talk so I love this

[@MyBestFriendBTS]

In india🇮🇳 we make friends everywhere even in train ,bus everywhere we are very friendly to each other

[@yin_xing]

Does that casta system is still used in India? Like, if after a small talk u discover that the person is from an inferior casta then u stop talking to her/him?

[@snowstrawberry98]

​​@@yin_xing Caste system still does exist. It depends on the mindset of people. Some people don't care about castes or religions in making friends, while others mind a lot. I personally don't bother knowing caste before or after making friends, I just want friends, as long as they're respectful.

[@revelove4eva]

​@@yin_xing from what I've seen, it's definitely not so bad that people don't talk to a caste they feel is "inferior" to them. I think the issue arises mostly when an inter caste couple want to get married. Casteism still exists, but it's not that extreme nowadays

[@Luna-bh5lb]

​@@yin_xingofc it still exists, just like how racism exists in many countries aft all the efforts to get rid of it. All these r mindsets of ppl and unless they themselves tries to get rid of it, it won't. And from what I've seen, the new gen really doesn't care about caste and all (but I've seen casteism when it comes to marriage, still kinda against inter caste marriages). India has improved a lot when it comes to these things although it's not non existent. I personally haven't experienced casteism not have I seen someone else experience it around me. Maybe bcoz in most of the schools now they teach all caste and religions to be equal...

[@yanoshkaa]

Like irann

[@gabriellesinclair971]

The American one depends on the day, who the other person is, what the vibes are etc lol we don’t talk to everyone all the time 😂

[@shawnavargas1986]

Millennials n under ruined it. Cowards lol

[@tulmer11]

Was looking for this comment. I will frequently get into an elevator and not say anything or maybe just a “thanks. If they held the elevator” or “have a good day”. Really depends on

[@beulaho]

I had some of the best conversations in Korea in lifts - the absolute best had to be at Lotte in Busan when the lift was going crazy and sending everyone to the wrong floor, but we were all glad to be in an air conditioned space 😂

[@yin_xing]

It was me, I was the elevator

[@angelicvega7040]

I had no idea I was secretly in my own Korea 24/7

[@siska_yuri]

If in algeria, they would have talked about all their family tree 😂😂😂

[@yin_xing]

Haha really?

[@siska_yuri]

@@yin_xing yeahhh , and I know for sure that some would tell you who they r visiting or what floor they live in 😂😂😂 happed so many times

[@yin_xing]

@@siska_yuri I'm shy but I like ppl small talks maybe one day I visit Algeria

[@siska_yuri]

@yin_xing no need to be shy. It's okay to make small initiations , but ppl here will take care of you . Welcome to Algeria :)

[@paparapira]

omagod😂

[@iloveamerica64]

I love Korean culture, but I prefer this with America. I love friendly conversations with strangers

[@singingrazors]

As an American, " _ floor please" "Sure" end of conversation lol

[@nathanhannah9664]

I had this exact conversation yesterday in an elevator. guy followed me into elevator. I pushed my floor button. I asked him, "floor?" He replied, "four please." I pushed the button. He said, "thanks." I replied, "you bet". End of conversation.

[@rebekah1362]

America is huge. So this doesn't apply to the entire nation. It depends on the region you're in - in the Southeast people have full-blown conversations and to not speak is considered rude. In the northeast people may or may not speak. And it's different as you move more west.

[@singingrazors]

@@rebekah1362 Oh the Midwest wants you to talk too. I meant more I'm an American and I don't try to have conversations, but that might be the anxiety talking

[@kenny995]

I guess it really depends on the vibe the person gives off too. If I can tell someone has no desire to speak, I'll leave them be. But if someone has a more open demeanor, I'll talk with them.

[@Taetae-ye8zb]

​@@rebekah1362It must be because of the Latam influence.

[@iah.synergy.07]

Brazil: become friends instantly and get an invitation to meet up at the cafeteria hahahaha 🇧🇷

[@Tonytayloring]

Same with Spain, Mexico and Thailand. These awkward countries behave this way, and then later cursing their own existence as to why they dont have friends, single, lonely, nobody loves LOL and then go on to make YT vid about 'Living Alone In...'

[@SousieTube]

As an American who lives in Glasgow and also an hour away in Edinburgh, Scotland, I can have my American conversation with a Glaswegian, but the Korean version with an Edinburgher!

[@renica2787]

that's so interesting! :D

[@yin_xing]

Wa u r in Glasgow University?!!

[@SousieTube]

@@yin_xing no, I've only taken post grad courses at Glasgow University. I studied in the States and Austria.

[@yin_xing]

@@SousieTube ah ok. I tried 2 times for Glasglow but the amount of money was nonsence so that I gave up. 🫠

[@SousieTube]

@@yin_xing that's a shame, hope you find foreign study that's affordable for you in the future!

[@weakanklesfornamjoon]

I love Korea for this. Introverts rejoice!

[@vminkooknamjinsuho1208]

It's introvert vs extrovert lol💀🥲

[@kowalskastudio]

Poland: optional hello, then pretend that you don't even see the other person

[@dariasays]

Once, during my first visit to USA, I went riding a bike. I was so shocked when some random stranger also on a bike said hi and waved hello. I’d never seen this man before. I’d never talked to him. Then I realized that he said hi because we both were riding bikes. I wasn’t caught off guard next time, but it’s kind of tiring to always say hi to your fellow bike riders. I just want to dive deep in my thoughts and think about stuff while riding a bike, but I had to interrupt my train of thought and talk to someone. USA is for extraverts 😅 Although it feels much more friendly than just be in silence

[@blesbey]

I am in the US and prefer the Korean version lately. I never get my wish though😂. I must give off some approachable vibe, because people always want to start chats with me.

[@vminhope3040]

Seriously even when I put on a mask! People somehow still recognize and remember me! Because it’s my customer service persona they knew. I don’t wanna have to talk to them even when I’m off work! We aren’t friends!

[@CoffeeandCrochet]

I'm an introvert American living in Korea and I have so many ajummas try to make small talk with me 😅 so it always catched me off guard. lol the most memorable time was when me and my husband were in line at the bank and this lil granny I've never seen before comes up to us and tells me she remembers seeing me go to the gym everyday back last summer 😆 we live in Busan so there's lots of other foreigners around so I don't stick out too much but was sweet she remembered me 😊

[@blesbey]

@@CoffeeandCrochet funny😂I guess you can never be totally left alone in any society.

[@SY-ok2dq]

​@@CoffeeandCrochet Only the old folks do that (to other strangers, whether Korean or foreigner). But mainly the fact that you look non-Korean and non-East Asian means you stick out like a sore thumb and will be noticed. And many older folks have this curiosity about Westerners and Americans who are not Asian looking. I think one of the things about the oldest generations there is that many grew up in small towns or villages and then moved to small and large cities, especially Seoul, for work/money opportunities during Korea's development period. So they grew up with this village or small town mindset and are more interested in others (friendly at one end of the spectrum, plain nosy at the other end) than city raised people are, which is what the younger generations are. In particular, Seoul is just full of all these people who were not born or raised there, including many people under 50 who moved up there for university or for work once they finished schooling, or even those whose parents moved there when their children were hitting middle school age, to attend the more competitive and bigger name middle and high schools there, to increase the kids' chances of getting into universities in Seoul or nearby (i.e. the top and 2nd or 3rd tier universities). Seniors also have the time to take note of others around them, and the motivation (boredom, lack of new connections as you age and people you know die off, lack of a job or rputine which forces you to be around the same people whom you come to know, general loss of purpose etc.)

[@SY-ok2dq]

​​@@CoffeeandCrochet Also, since you are a woman, it will generally be only these older women who would talk to you. An older man, like in his 50s or 60s, it would be a bit unusual and breaking convention for him to just start talking to a stranger who is a woman, especially younger (maybe not to a grandmother looking woman though, like if he was to offer her help carrying something etc). You might get a man in his 70s or older, a real grandfather looking type, talk to you. Since they are obviously very old it wouldn't be unseemly and suspect looking to them or to others. And also they have more respect accorded to them at that age so they have more social authority.

[@luchafonseca2653]

In Brazil we swear we won't do small talk, at least for a day. Some hours later, there we are already BFF with a stranger😂😂😂

[@PriscilaKlopper]

If you like small talk, come to Brazil 😂 we talk to people everywhere, not just in the elevators hahahahah.

[@kimleemoon]

Same for the US, most of us ❤ small talk

[@raquellacerda1008]

Ok, desde que vc fique longe de curitiba 😂

[@serenight8599]

The silence is so loud 😂

[@bean1731]

As an American who visits Korea often I can confirm this is 100000% accurate

[@metaturnal]

feel like the "Korean version" is the global norm, with or most of the time without even greeting each other.😊

[@llallogen7380]

Plenty of hispanic and African countries are like the US version in this video. I also experienced it in some southeast Asian countries. So I wouldnt call it the global norm just because the US gets the most attention for having an outgoing culture

[@namedrop721]

Actually the global norm is the US version, because unlike most European countries which also avoid smalltalk, a large portion of the Mediterranean, Africa, Asia and South America will just talk to you anytime, anywhere

[@Loroths]

A subtle nodded. Any eye contact lasting over 2 seconds is seen as sexual harassment.

[@Imamotherfreakingavocado]

Meanwhile in the UK, we just pretend no one else is there lmao

[@Himanshu_Singh793]

That's sad. I love small talks. If that's true, I'd get suffocated in UK trains, elevators, etc

[@Imamotherfreakingavocado]

@@Himanshu_Singh793 I love it personally, talking with strangers irl is something I'm horrible at, I am way too awkward lol

[@sacrilegiousboi978]

That's in urban areas mostly in the south. I'm a londoner so was VERY shocked whenever i went up north or to the west country and suddenly strangers were saying hi to me lol

[@Evangelina098]

Out west in the US that would still be too little chatting! We will talk to you about everything!

[@AyAhmed]

Koreans seem to be my kind of people 😅

[@ingridyau3012]

Hong Kong mom: That lady's crazy. Why's she trying to talk to me?!

[@user-zk7zp6zp2k]

US version: between strangers Korean version: between acquaintances We never say even hi to strangers

[@lexdraws1729]

As a social anxious person, sometimes I prefer the second one

[@jyc313]

A lot of people crap on small talk but it’s a rather valuable social skill to learn. Sometimes it leads to unexpected things.

[@b.a.p.4718]

Small talk is awesome. It’s one of the easiest ways to make friends.

[@kenny995]

People seem pretty comfortable around me so they'll strike up some small talk. It's really improved my social skills. I had a short convo with the dude who owns a restaurant I frequent, after 5 minutes I basically knew his life story. Very cool dude.

[@Sugas_Girr]

Sooo accurate!!! And I very much prefer the Korean version!!! Polite, but not exhausting...perfect. 👍🇰🇷👍

[@kimberlygriffin6285]

It should have just shown them getting on and off the elevator with no "안녕하세요." 😂😂😂

[@evantesseract737]

They knew each other 😁

[@inuyali]

We Carribeans will talk until the sun goes down 😂 Warm and friendly.

[@sauceboss18]

USA anecdote. When I injured my ankle and had to wear a boot, I saw someone in the street one day who was also wearing a boot and we just started chatting about our respective injuries and it morphed into what we do for work and we ended up arranging to meet up for drinks. Total strangers.

[@SammyyNico]

meanwhile colombians(and all other hispanic countries) have an entire conversation and share their life stories and become inseparable friends until death

[@shiyoun]

as a german, i appreciate the korean way 😂

[@michaelduffy6874]

Korean hairdressers don't make small talk.

[@arieluv615]

WHAT? So do you just sit in silence the whole time? As a black woman talking in the salon is a major part of the experience especially since a lot of our styles take hours to complete.

[@michaelduffy6874]

@@arieluv615 I'm speaking from my own experience of many years with gradually receding hair in Korea. My own haircut takes minutes rather than hours, but other customers' treatments seem to be completed with a minimum of verbal interaction. The same goes for men's barbershops and co-ed hairdressers. What is other people's experience here?

[@teresponchis]

In México we think is awkard if we don't speak...we never stop talking. LOL

[@Jinxx9081]

It’s really funny that we Americans talk to strangers so much considering we are told not to talk to strangers all the time when we are kids. I guess people in the U.S. just don’t listen to our parents 😂

[@mochisprite9779]

From this video I have concluded that I am Korean in spirit, if not in body.

[@bookworm1849]

I’d fit in perfectly in South Korea 😂

[@Karma7Jr]

That's true 😂 want to have talk but pretend not to talk

[@davisdavis2337]

i thought that US small talk was top tier! even surpassed small talk 💯 I’m terrified of being a foreigner in Korea but this helps me to not feel offended TY!

[@jeshightower4954]

It’s so true!! I miss Korea so much, I didn’t have to small talk at all ❤️ just said 안녕하세요 and smiled. That was enough and I loved it

[@Inallthingsgivethanksalways]

We say hello the whole day in SA

[@notkyrs10]

When I watched Singles Inferno on Netflix I was going INSANE how no one was talking!! What a culture shock 💀 especially compared to Love Island everyone just starts screaming when someone new walks in 😂

[@sugakookies_park9465]

Saaaaame. At the start of every season I couldn’t help thinking how if this was an American (or pretty much any western) show they’d all already be half naked and doing body shots off of each other by the time the 4th person rolled up 😅 it always feels crazy awkward to watch them all arrive and just stare at each other silently…

[@haveialigned]

As an American it's so important to say "that's the worst" to something your small talk partner said, especially if you're not exactly sure what they said 😂

[@yesiasked]

That’s how it is in movies. But both of these apply to introverts and extroverts in every country.

[@amasia48]

Low key hate when people in america ask how’s it going…I’m like dude you don’t actually wanna know so don’t ask okay?

[@maine3666]

Meanwhile in Ghana🇬🇭 you might find out they are your distant relative from that "not so small talk"! 😂😂

[@tipennya]

I wouldn't last a day in Korea!! I'm ALWAYS smiling and saying 'Hi' to strangers! Lol! They would ban me from the country before I got out of the airport! 😊 There's nothing wrong with being kind to people! We need more of it!

[@jhinukkonok]

Same in BANGLADESH 😂 We don't even say 'See you later' or bye, we just leave silently 😂

[@miro2128]

Americans are just scared of awkwardness

[@TheLalab4]

Honestly I love that there is no small talk in Korea because I absolutely hate small talk in America people think I’m too shy but I’m not

[@SUGAs_Shadow85]

Talking to strangers is really difficult. I don't know that I could imagine not saying hi to someone on an elevator, though. You're basically in each other's personal space 😂😂😂

[@bloody-aster0309]

im so comforted by you sharing your feelings like this. i wish i could help you the way youve helped me. i hope you feel better soon

[@TheRisingEagle93]

I am an American living in Korea, and honestly Koreans are very diverse when it comes to small talk. Few of them would even joke around with you the first time you meet them.

[@missymae8333]

The korean version is more comfortable 😅

[@Tonytayloring]

And then later cursing your own existence as to why you dont have friends, single, lonely, nobody loves LOL and then go on to make YT vid about 'Living Alone In...' And then settling for a swollen face plus size dude jus becos he is your only friend, or go placy dating app and attracts men with no balls to approach u

[@jonathanvu6104]

TBH, I was hoping for "Did you eat?" lol

[@marijajanicijevic8211]

That's China, not Korea.

[@SY-ok2dq]

​@@marijajanicijevic8211 No they do ask that in Korea a lot. But not to some stranger that gets on the same elevator. You only hear it from either those you know or those you have met, or you were introduced to by others you know. But I should add that many older folks will be very inquisitive and may ask you things like "what's that? Where are you goinv with that/what's that for etc." even though you are strangers. I've had this happrn to me on elevators and trains etc. Younger people (under say 50) never ask you that. It's always people - usually women - over mid-50s, mostly 60+. I think that's because seniors have way more time (retired, not working much if at all, have plenty of free time and life is less interesting and fewer constant people around them so they have way more mental energy to be interested in what others do) and a lot of them came from smaller towns or even villages if they're over mid-60s, and moved to the city for jobs, income and opportunities when they were in their late teens and 20s during the boom development years of South Korea. So they still carry a kind of village or small town mindset. Younger generations did not, and do not have that mindset.

[@SY-ok2dq]

They do say that. Just not to strangers like someone on an elevator. I left a longer comment about it below actually.

[@marijajanicijevic8211]

@@SY-ok2dq Ok, thanks for correcting it and developping.

[@summerhaze2220]

맞아요. 모르는 사람과 좁은 공간에 함께 있으면 불편해하죠. 재밌네요 ㅎㅎ

[@user-kc3nq6ml4j]

US:Extrovert South Korea:Introvert 😂

[@mistahmike7]

lol it depends on where you are in the U.S. In NY people usually ignore each other.

[@seasonsoflove9507]

to be honest if i’m the only person in an elevator and someone comes in after me i just ask them what floor number… and that’s that

[@desoraelowry8975]

YES 👍 you guys nailed it 👏 👌!!! Sending love from Northern California ❤!!!

[@becki3101]

Hello, I'm from Northern California as well.😁Have a great evening.

[@Masssshysteria]

Honestly this is why Koreans absolutely love alcohol. Americans can small talk right on the spot sober but weKoreans are a bit tense and need the alcy-alc to loosen up haha. This was spot on

[@jasimslife]

Cute 😂❤

[@hightyde_5003]

Korean way is better

[@LForest.]

😂😂😂 agree Korea Elevator is so quiet .

[@Elizabeth-vt3xk]

somehow I've listened to so much TTMIK content that just hearing your voice both makes me remember to practice and is a comfort because it's familiar :)

[@project-pe6ly]

this is one of the reasons why I get discouraged about learning Korean

[@addisonwalker7172]

Become fluent in the languages just to not be able to use it in elevators

[@daviddufresne9905]

The problem with learning Korean isn't this, its that they mostly speak English and are proud of it. They will bat your crappy Korean aside. So your only chance is if there are still some low population regions that know little English. They will do small talk, but elevators, subways, on the street those are quite places and they will think you are a bit touched if you try it there. On the bright side, its probably the easiest Asian language to learn, Japanese could be a contender but you have a much more diverse alphabet to deal with. Still compared to learning a European language its the moon for your average westerner and it will take probably five years before you start to get decent at it.

[@KBowWow75]

This is so true, and it breaks my heart now that I've been in Korea over 3 years now. It seems like it's beyond the elevator too.

[@MichaelDavins-id7vx]

At the start of the video I thought “Oh I thought Korea didn’t have small talk” …

[@adrenaline2002]

Yes indeed. Usually zero conversation in these circumstances in Korea and Japan.

[@KizetteandTotoro]

gosh, this is so true…(in Japan as well) the dying inside wanting the whole thing to be over asap…

[@minnie777]

this is EXACT story I tell my friends and family of the "small talk" specifically in elevators in Korea. KOREANS DO NOT HAVE TO BE SO AWKWARD!!! whyyyy

[@porkypine2]

The hesitant glances at each other are hilarious.

[@qazedc3]

You’re so on the dot with everything btw and I love the way things are delivered. I find my tropical and sidereal rising signs both resonate when I watch them!

[@user-qg2gy5lg4g]

Too true! I hate obligatory US conversations.

[@Mia-sp5wh]

It’s not obligatory 😂

[@NoName-bt6xd]

It's not only koreans. Americans are known to be very social

[@audrioz]

Imagine introvert went to elevator with ishowspeed 😂

[@katherinejimenezmatos2009]

🤣 this is so accurate

[@Verbalaesthet]

Maybe "elevator situation" would have been a better title. In Germany it's more like Korea. ^^