Comparison between Spain and South Korea based on 6D Model

Good morning dear readers! We are back to write about some differences and similarities between Spain and South Korean cultures. In order to do that, we have compared our countries using the Hofstede’s 6D Model suggested by professor Hofstede. Hofstede has studied national values and he has introduced the dimension concept. This model consists of 6 cultural dimensions that represent preferences for one country (rather tan individuals) over another.

In the following picture you can observe the comparison between Spain and South Korea.

Power Distance

It expresses the degree to which the less powerful members accept and expect an unequally distribution of power. A high power distance index means that society accepts a hierarchical order in which everybody has a place without justification. Spain and South Korea have a similar Power Distance, which means that individuals are not equal and they accept it. We both agree with this result. However, in our opinion there exists some movements against inequality in both countries.

Individualism versus Collectivism

Individualism is the preference for a loosely-knot social framework. People in an individualistic culture are expected to take care of only themselves and their closer relatives. However, collectivism expresses a preference for a tightly-knit framework and members of a collectivistic culture expect their families or members of a particular in-group to look after them. Furthermore, they are more loyal. South Korea has a more collectivistic culture than Spain because they are used to be close with their family. In Korea, people are raised to take care of their family before themselves. In contrast, despite the fact that Spanish people tend to be close with their relatives, the society does not expect them to dedicate.

Masculinity versus Femininity

Masculinity represents a preference in society for achievement, heroism, assertiveness and material rewards for success. As result, masculinity cultures are more competitive. In contrast, femininity expresses a preference for cooperation, modesty, caring and quality of life. Consequently, femininity cultures are more consensus-oriented. We do not agree with the result because South Korea has a more competitive culture than Spain. They work almost 12 hours per day and they study hard to get good marks and be able to find job in big companies.

Uncertainty Avoidance

It is connected to people’s attitude on the unpredictability of future. There are two ways to deal with it: try to predict the future or just let it go? Like this, the ways to treat anxious and uncertain future are different depending on nations because of their culture. The higher the score is, the higher people’s fear is. Spain and South Korea have a similar score in this dimension and we agree with the result because Spanish and Koreans try to avoid uncertainty and be sure about the future.

Long Term Orientation

It shows how societies keep their own past handling with their challenges of the current and future situations. For example, the score will be low in normative cultures that want to maintain traditions. In this dimension, there is a huge difference between the two countries and we agree with the result. Spanish people prefer to live by the moment without a great concern about the future and they look for quick results without delays. On the other hand, in Korea, people try to focus on future and prepare it. Unfortunately, they tend to ignore the importance of traditions and cultures from ancestors and just want to develop.

Indulgence

It describes how people deal with their desires and impulses that are based on socialization in countries. The lower score of this dimension means people have weak control about them called ‘Indulgence’ and the higher score of it means people have relatively strong control called ‘Restraint’. South Korea has a more restrained culture than Spain. However, we think that Spain should have a higher score since Spanish people are not restrained and they emphasis on leisure time and control the gratification of their desires. In contrasts, Koreans are raised to follow society like parents and other people, not themselves. Finally, we hope both countries will have higher scores in the future.

Traditional costumes of our countries

Welcome to our Blog! We are Patricia and Se young, two students of the Minor Your Future Work at Fontys University of Applied Sciences. In this blog we would like to write about our cultures. 

There are different definitions of culture. For example, the Cambridge English Dictionary defines culture as “the way of life, especially the general customs and beliefs, of a particular group of people at a particular time”. All cultures have a traditional costume. It is a very important part of eachother's culture because it is a sign of social identity (Hendrickson, 1997). Particularly, in this first post we are going to write about the traditional costumes of our countries.

One of the most traditional Spanish costumes is called traje de gitana. It can be a dress or a skirt and a shirt. In the following pictures you can see the difference between the dress (left) and the two pieces outfit (right).

As you can notice, in both pictures the outfits are long-sleeved. However, there are others that are sleeveless. The dress or skirt is usually long, but there are also short versions. 

The dress is usually brightly colored and it can be plain or patterned. A common characteristic in all of these versions is the layers of ruffles on the skirt and sleeves. Finally, the outfit can be completed with a shawl over the shoulders and a flower and a comb in the hair.

Nowadays, there are important fashion shows in which models wear the colors, patterns and forms that are going to be in. Consequently, new styles of this costume are created every year.

Furthermore, this is the traditional costume to dance sevillanas, the typical dance of Andalusia. An essential element to dance sevillanas properly is the ruffled skirt. This dance is usually trained with a body and a skirt.

The traditional Korean costume is called ‘Hanbok’. The name applies for both sexes. When you wear ‘Hanbok’, there are many steps and accessories. Furthermore, they are different according to people’s status and age. The higher their status is, the more complex clothes are. They also affect materials of clothes. People who are rich or in a high position wear dresses made of luxurious textiles like silk, gold and fur. On the other hand, ordinary people or the poor wear dresses made of cotton or linen.

The first ‘hanbok’ is for a little girl. The top called ‘saekdong jogory’. It is very colourful and the sleeve is the most colourful part of clothing.

The second dress if for a bride. They wear various hair accessories and fancy dress compared to daily look. The cloth which is above a bride’s hands is used to get something from her parents in her wedding.

The third example is for ordinary people. Actually this is for middle-class women not for the poor. The textile of cloth is different in ordinary people.

The last example is for a queen. Like you can see, it looks really fancy and luxurious. Those patterns are all made of real gold. Accessories are also gold and silver. The big difference of design between other status’s cloths is a ‘dragon’. On her dress, the dragon patterns are embroidered.

According to the examples, there are various kinds of Hanbok for women. The type of dress is changed depending on status, age and situation. Except what I introduced, there are lots of Hanbok in Korea and people try to make it simple these days to wear it in our daily lives.

Thank you for reading! Do you know the traditional custom of your country?