[Korean Culture & Language] Cat Butlers, Plant Butlers


Hello, this is Uptempo!

In Korea, cat owners often refer to themselves as ‘고양이 집사 (cat butlers).’ Unlike dogs who are usually friendlier and more loyal toward their owners, cats are usually more independent, and the owners seem to be more loyal toward their cats than cats are toward their owners.

Cats usually act like they rule the household and the owners act like their obedient servants. So, many people jokingly say that the cat owners are the servants or butlers. 

‘고양이’ means ‘cat’;
‘집사’ means ‘butler’.

A: 요즘 민호 왜 이렇게 바빠?
A: Why is Min-ho so busy lately?
B: 걔 저번달부터 집사 됐잖아. 고양이 대학까지 보낸다고 열심이야.
B: He became a ‘cat butler’ last month. He is committed, saying that he will send the cat off to college. 

(Since cats typically live 13 to 17 years, ‘cat butlers’ usually call ‘keeping cats healthy until they are 20’ as ‘sending them off to college’. Many 집사s’ goal is to keep their cats healthy until they are 20 years old).

The term ‘식집사’ also has become popular. ‘식’ is short for ‘식물’ which means ‘plant(s)’. ‘집사’ means ‘butler’. Indoor plants have gained popularity recently because they are low maintenance compared to pets, but they still improve people’s overall well-being. Plants are known for relieving stress, boosting productivity, and promoting healing.

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[Korean Culture & Language] Impulsiveness and MBTI

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