You may be surprised to notice that almost all the Koreans around you are very light-skinned in Seoul, even in the height of summer. The secret is simple – a tan is considered a sign of low social status in South Korea. It is normally only for the working class. Local residents use any tool to combat sunburn. These are sunscreens, umbrellas on a hot day, and whitewash. You should not be surprised if you see a typical European woman instead of a model with a predictable Asian appearance on billboards. Light skin, light hair, and blue eyes are considered incredibly beautiful here. In general, everything American and European is highly valued here.
The locals are friendly to foreigners. Any Korean will help you to find the way. If he has free time, he will even take you to the right place, cover you with his umbrella from the rain or sun, and try to help in a difficult situation. If you speak English well, then local residents will not miss the chance to communicate with you, hoping to improve their knowledge of this language.
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