koreans's' eating dogs?

Question

Recently one of my coworker had made a negative comment about koreans eating dogs. He said that they eat dogs b/c they are poor? Now, there "might" be a some truth to his comment but his comment was mostly based on the fact that he felt it was an unhumaine, socially and culturally unaceptable here in the US. Americans' consider dogs and cats as part of the family. I told him that Korea is not a poor country, like other countries, it does have poverish sections, but korea is an agricultural country, their main diest is rice and vegetables, and consider meat "any" sort of meet a delicatisen. I just think that he feels that korea is inferior, he equates koreans to animals and culturally unaccepting. Does he sound racist?

Answer 1

I'm an American who's been living in Korea for a little of a year now...here's what I've learned. The sale and consumption of dog meat is technically illegal but dog is still the 3rd most consumed meat behind beef and pork. Authorities do nothing to stop it. Dog consumption has been a part of Korean culture for more than 3,000 years,

Dog meat is one of the most expensive meats on the market so your co worker's claim that "they eat dogs b/c they are poor" is pure ignorance. Most Koreans who eat dog (and many of them don't) eat it because they believe the meat has medicinal properties and is extremely good for their health.

Many Koreans have dogs for pets...and contrary to our jokes, no they do not eat them. Regardless of your cultural beliefs of what is right or wrong though, the dogs at the dog farms are treated incredibly inhumanely.

Answer 2

And the Japanese think that Americans are crazy because we cut off the fish heads and throw them away.

Your friend has the narrow view of his world, not the wider view; and yes that is what makes some people racists. Everyone is a little difference and the greater the distance between the cultures the more the differences seem to mount up.

Personally, I didn't like the idea of Koreans eating dogs either, I am and American and a dog lover. But, I understand how in a poor economy meat, any meat must be used. From what you said Korea isn't that poor, parts of it are as advanced as the US, but the rural areas are still very poor. However, according to you the use of dog meat is more of a culture thing than a poverty thing.

I can accept that, I still won't like eating dogs, and I would never want to eat one, but I can accept that some people are different. I call allow for the differences and agree that they don't mean a person is an uncivilized savage. Frankly, I thought that the Koreans that ate dog meat were only the poor ones. But, if it is a culture thing then it is the same as Americans not eating fish heads and Japanese considering them delicacies.

I know I am can be a prejudges person, if I don’t work at being an accepting one. You have opened my world a little. I still “feel” that eating dog meat is “wrong,” but it doesn’t mean I am going to think any less of Koreans or other people that don’t have a problem with eating dog meat.

To me making a decision about a person based on ignorance is racism.

Answer 3

How could I never witness restaurants boiling dogs and people who eat them in my entire life even though I'm a Korean? How could I only see people feeling sorry about dog consumption in my entire life even though I'm a Korean? There is so many exaggerated information around the Internet, but I really want to say that there are more Institutions helping homeless dogs than America does which are fighting against the minority of the uneducated old generations, who eat dogs. To put it in short words, Korean don't eat dogs or even think of it. I want to punch people who support the idea that every single Koreans want to eat their pet dogs.Come on, we just enjoy chicken, pork, cows like Americans do, even though it's kinda expensive. Plus, what's the matter with consuming it? According to their word, people shouldn't have eaten cows and pigs and chickens too already because they are animals feeling emotions. I thought the world a place where people admitted diversity.

Answer 4

How's that insulting? Look up Gaegogi...it's dog meat. It's not eaten as common as before and not every Korean eats dog...but it's out there. @Cerulean It's not a stereotype. Even my Korean friends say they do! My Dad was stationed there in the 80's and has even tried it before.

Answer 5

Its hard to say if he sounds racist just from that one statement,he may just be ignorant.He may have some unfounded prejudices towards Koreans though,as they are common in western cultures,of eastern cultures.
I haven't been to Korea in particular but i have been to a few asian and south east asian countries,and in my experience meat equals food.It doesn't matter if its a dog or cat or cow or snake.
Sure,we westerners don't eat dogs,but i think that anyone who has actually travelled to these countries will be aware of the cultural differences that should allow us to understand that its different strokes for different folks.
Most racism,i believe,is spawned by simple ignorance.

Answer 6

I don't know about racist, but he is ignorant.

Korea is one of the richest countries in asia, with one of the highest standards of living. You both should visit it sometime.

Dog is considered a delicacy all around the east asian seaboard. I have eaten it with my Philipino in-laws. It's a little greasy, but tastes pretty good. The Koreans call it Ke-gogi. They normally hide it from Americans, because they understand our sensitivity towards eating rover. But they still eat it.

When you consider how many millions of animals the Humane society euthanizes each year, I think it's a shame that our Asian citizens aren't allowed to partake of this bounty.

Answer 7

Koreans eat dogs; Mongolians eat horses; Columbians eat Guinea Pigs.

Get used to it. You're not the only culture on Earth.

Answer 8

Of course he is, and ignorant and uneducated. If he took the time to learn about people he dislikes, he might find that he likes them. But it is always easier to be negative than to spend the time learning what is really there. I bet his grades aren't great. I would stay away from angry co-workers. He's an angry one who feels inferior so he has to put down others so he can feel good.

Answer 9

Yes, Koreans do eat dogs, even now. They just have a different view of dogs then we do in the US. Until I become a PETA freak (NEVER!) I won't judge them, unless they live here in the USA then they better follow OUR customs.

Answer 10

No , my country in the past also have people eating dogs .. then theres a law that will punish anyone who does that.

dogs are too intelligent to be eaten as food .