World Tour Showcase

Way to go Kids! You were amazing!

Etiquette

Dining traditions and utensils vary from country to country, as do notions of etiquette. Here are some examples of Korean Table Etiquette. When in the company of elders, take your seat according to social ranking with the youngest or lowest ranked person closest to the door. After the elders pick up their spoons, others can begin to eat. Try to keep pace with elders while eating. It could be considered rude to show that you have finished your meal before elder people have. If at all possible, keep eating a bit until the elders have finished their meal. The spoon and chopsticks should not be held together in one hand. Use the spoon only for rice and soup. For the sake of cleanliness, do not use a used spoon for side dishes. Use an individual plate for your own food when platters arrive for the entire table. Be careful not to make noises when eating and drinking. Avoid knocking your spoon, chopsticks or plates around. Take food within reach and do not stretch your arms out too far. After a meal, return your spoon and chopsticks to the spot where they were placed. Fold the used napkin and put it back on the table. When coughing or sneezing during a meal, turn your head to one side and cover your mouth with a handkerchief as to not bother your neighbors. Nose blowing should be saved for the restroom.

* Source: The beauty of Korean Food: With 100 Best-loved recipes by Institute of Traditional Korean Food

K-POP Monday

Shinee- Ring Ding Dong

Make a Korean Kite

the rectangular korean shield kite is made from five bamboo sticks and covered with traditional mulberry paper. it is always in the strict proportion of two by three and has a circular hole in the center, with a diameter half the width of the kite. the hole functions as an efficient air control device. four of the five bamboo spars - one vertical, two diagonal, and one horizontal intersect at the hole. the bow line is tied to the fifth spar, across the top of the sail, and is tensioned to give the kite its convex face.

although most korean kites have the same shape, they come in different sizes, and use different colors and imagery in the decoration of the sail. many feature bright colors, usually red, blue, yellow, white, and black, and simple shapes, such as circles, half-moons, or stars. others are decorated with images as bats, butterflies... or are inscribed with the four chinese characters ‘song aek young bok’, believed to shield the flier against bad luck and help to get rid of evil spirits. korean kites continue to fly - koreans enjoy making and flying kites made of paper, both for fun and religious purposes. many different kinds of kites are flown high up in the air during winter. most flying is done between january 1st and january 15th. on the 15th (full moon day) people cut the string connected to the kite and let it fly away.

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The Korean Tiger at Mansudae Art Studio in North Korea

The Korean Tiger at Mansudae Art Studio in North Korea

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