Barbecue party. What's so special?

Last Friday, one of the 2nd year Korean Ph.D students offered barbecue party as an antidote to a long term preparation for qualifying exams to the 1st year Ph.D students. Two Chinese friends, Shenhei and Yanli, two American friends, Drew and Sam and two Koreans including the host, Tae eun and me, accept this offer. I’d like to share what I felt about different culture while I was being with them.

It is common that people are gathering together and having meet together in korea in a restaurant. In Korea we can barely find the place outside for a barbecue especially the one right next to the apartment. Fortunately, we could find a barbecue grill placing next to the host’s and this is one of the nice thing that I like about America. Anyway, there was nothing special and different in terms of food. We just share what we prepared for the party. Interesting part is from the process. While we were preparing food, I discovered that every individual has different styles. When the host, Tae eun, heated up and cooked steak Shenhei and Yanli, Chinese friends, were willing to help him, while Sam and Drew were busy with chatting each other. They seemed to not want to help. I honestly have to say that I was a little bit disappointed about them. Meanwhile, Sam was charge of hamburger. When we were about to have hamburger, he just stood up, started cooking which was what he had to do. Moreover he refused to take any help. So I realized that this is one feature of individualism. Before that happening, I had taken individualism as one of the selfishness of people. Now I can understand that individualism is not about selfishness, this is about effectiveness. Now, I’d like to strongly recommend you to have dinner or open a party with various of people. You can not only have different food from different culture but broaden your view to the world.