“Improper table manners and excessive addresses during ceremonies should be improved”


Ambassador Dusan Bella of Slovakia


Ambassador Dusan Bella of Slovakia came to Korea a year ago. He said that the actual life in Korea was very different from the image he had before.


“Korea is a well-developed country. There are many foreigners in Korea, and few difficulties in living. It’s like I’m in Europe. I am very satisfied with my life here.”


In 1993, Slovakia became independent from Czechoslovakia. Today, with a population of 5.4 million, the country is a member of the EU and uses the Euro for its currency. The capital of the country is Bratislava.

There are about 2,000 Koreans working in 70 different Korean companies in Slovakia. On the other hand, only about 30 Slovakians live in Korea. Ten of them are college students, the other ten are immigrants married to Koreans, and the rest are businessmen or employees of the embassy.


To deal with homesickness, the Ambassador has dinner meetings every weekend. He thinks that the children of the multicultural families are adorable, but regrets that there aren’t any special programs from them. In Slovakia, children (6~15 years old) go through a nine-year education program, and then (for 16~19 years old) a four-year education program. Afterwards, they go to college. In European countries, the educational system focuses on raising the thoughts and dreams of children when they are young, and then when the children turn 16~19 years old, the system makes them develop an integrated thinking ability. Ambassador Bella thinks this system is good.


Regarding the culture of Korea, the Ambassador commented, “When Koreans have a meal, they often put their spoons and chopsticks in the food bowl shared with others, even when they eat with foreigners. I think this is improper. They should ladle the food they want into a separate dish.”

He also commented, “There are too many congratulatory addresses during conferences and meetings. Sometimes, even unscheduled addresses make the whole event drag on. Introduction of more than three guests also delays the schedule.”
PPCWC&ICFW Chairman Kwang-yul Shin ppcwc@yahoo.co.kr