Girls crossing their legs

[tumnamen]

One of my fellow GETs said that she was told to not cross her legs, especially in front of the school principle.  Is this true?  I feel uncomfortable not crossing my legs when I sit, but if it is considered to be bad manners I won't.

[yabaman]

Yes, that is big no no.
In Korea, that can be seen as rude to person who's older/more senior than you and should be avoided.

[tumnamen]

Thank you.  one of the girls from my orientation told me about it but we weren't sure.  I shall have to work very hard at not doing so now.

[tausha12]

Interesting, I've never heard it. I'll try to remember!

[yeeeeeewkorea]

First of all you are not Korean, so these random "customs and facts" that seem to pop up here and there are not really expected to be followed by you, and second, in five years this is the first time I have heard of it. Even if it were to be true, I imagine that the person in front of you would have to be a dinosaur to take offence.

[KLM]

Crossing one's legs is seen as a sign of comfort. In Korean culture, people who hold some kind of "senior" role feel entitled to determine the level of comfort or discomfort enjoyed by juniors. Thus, crossing one's legs may be seen as an affront to the privilege of elders.

This kind of thing is changing, somewhat. According to my co-workers, until the 1990s teachers were allowed to smoke in classrooms while they were teaching.

[Harpoinseoul]

I haven't ever heard of this cultural tidbit. (But then again, I've only been here for 15 years, 1 month and 1 day- depending how you count the time difference.) I'll be sure to remember to forget this tidbit.

[tumnamen]

I appreciate everyone's comments.  It is great to get a better insight into the culture from those who have been here much longer than myself.  Really all I want to do is to avoid any major gaffes in how I conduct myself.

[dbtm]

I have gotten scolded a few times at staff dinners for stretching my legs. im perfectly capable of sitting cross legged on the floor but after two hours I need to change positions so sometimes i sit with one leg pulled closer to my chest and the other straight and it always gets my into trouble.

super annoying.

Im surprised you have been here for 15 years and not know crossing your legs is rude. It is not one of those "made up" korea facts. It straight up is 100% rude.

[woman-king]

I haven't ever heard of this cultural tidbit. (But then again, I've only been here for 15 years, 1 month and 1 day- depending how you count the time difference.) I'll be sure to remember to forget this tidbit.

Haha! 

I've never heard this before either, but KLM's explanation kinda makes sense.  I cross my legs far too often and without thinking about it to really be able to remember to never do it in Korea.  I don't think it's something to be too worried about.  Waygookins have strange customs.  :D

[Grimne_Lothos]

i have noticed the young korean teachers tend to sit kind of sideways in the chair with their knees together.  it looks uncomfortable

[MiWonTeacher]

It may already be understood, but this code also applies to "boys".

[kbbaby]

i mainly noticed korean males cross their legs more than the females in the subway

[livzy]

This was made apparent to my SO the day we were introduced to the Principal. It seems an old custom that's ignored by many, but not all.

[#basedcowboyshirt]

This thread has such a bizarre range of poster personalities in it.

Also, as trashy and Trailer Park Boys-esque as it sounds, the idea of smoking while teaching a class does sound pretty rad.

[pkjh]

My guess is that crossing your legs is associated with prostitution.  So in formal situations (or whenever an old person is around) women are either expected to sit sideways, or cross your ankles.  Similar to how older Koreans view women smoking in public.

[gwangsan]

I'll have to remember this. It may not seem like a big deal, crossing or uncrossing your legs, but I feel like paying attention to little things like that show you have at least some understanding of the culture. It's also a pretty simple thing to control, so bonus!