The week of traditional etiquettes: Feedback from students?

1421 Jiu Chang 

             From March 16th to 19th were the days of traditional etiquettes. One of the notable activities held during the week was etiquette lessons. All eight freshmen classes took the lessons. The courtesy education was practiced during the school hours for a hundred and twenty minutes.

             The invited teachers were three volunteers usually teaches those etiquettes at Uiwang-si Youth Training Center. They were all hospitable to the students and adept at their work. They taught and helped students about how to bow, how to wear and fold up Hanbok, a Korean traditional clothing, how to eat traditional refreshments, and how to drink traditional tea. For the students who were having trouble with some of those tasks, teachers guided them personally. They always kept an eye on the students so that they could help students right away even before the students dares to ask for help. Students appreciated their sincerity.

             After learning abouts the etiquettes, students were allowed ten minutes to liberally take pictures of themselves in Hanbok. Then, students wrote their goals in special colored papers that blooms like flowers once they are put on the surface of water. Students blossomed the paper flowers in a single bowl.

             Many students commented about the lessons. Chaeri Kim, a student from class 7, said that she liked the gorgeous color of Hanbok, tasty refreshments and tea, and the program that was in constituted of various activities. However, she thought learning how to bow and wear Hanbok lasted so long that students got bored and did not concentrate well.

             On the other hand, Yunhee Jung, who had less experience of etiquette lessons than Kim, had some controversial opinions than Kim. Jung did not think learning how to wear Hanbok is boring- she actually thought it was exciting- as students could learn by actually wearing Hanbok independently. In addition, she disliked the design of Hanbok. However, that refreshments and tea were delectable was in consonance for both Kim and Jung.

             Instead, Cheonga Lee from class 4 stated that the refreshments were repugnant, although she confirmed that she liked the lesson overall as it was a pleasurable opportunity to get to know more about and become intimate with the classmates by experiencing original activities together.

             Finally, Soohyun Choi, also from class 4, found learning how to bow exhilarating. This was because ordinary schools usually do not teach students how to bow in traditional Korean style, since many schools are not equipped with eligible place where students can practice to kneel down and bow. Nonetheless, she detested the color of Hanbok as well, like Jung. She thought it looked childish.