[Korean Culture & Language] Smoke-ties

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Nepotism can lead to lots of negative effects on a company or an organization, including unfairness toward other employees, a decrease in employee morale, and pressure on the relatives themselves.

Some states even explicitly forbid public officials from hiring relatives to prevent nepotism.

As much as Koreans frown upon 연고주의(緣故主義, Nepotism) and struggle to root it out in workplaces, it is still obvious that it regularly happens in Korea. The main three types of nepotism in Korea are based on 학연 (those who graduated from the same school as the one in power), 지연 (those who are from the same region as the person in power), and 혈연 (the relatives of the person in power). 

‘학’ means ‘school’ or ‘study’
’지’ means ‘region’
‘혈’ means ‘blood’
‘연’ means ‘connection’ or ‘relationship’

The video below is titled ‘학연, 지연, 흡연’

https://youtube.com/shorts/HDM8CWvbuxo?feature=share

Instead of ‘혈연,’ the title reads ‘흡연.’
‘흡연’ means ‘smoking.’
This video illustrates how ‘smoking’ can be just as important a factor as ‘학연,’ ‘지연,’ and ‘혈연’ in some social situations in Korea, especially at work. Koreans often joke and say that “some of the most important conversations happen during the 담타 (smoking break/smoko).”

This statement becomes more reliable if their boss smokes. Sherwin J. Feinhandler, Ph.D. wrote in his book in 1980 that smoking relaxes people, relieves tension, and provides boundary mediation between personal and group space, which often reinforces peer relationships.

Even within one’s friendship circles, smokers are more likely to become close friends with other smokers than with non-smokers.

Is this true at your workplace? What are some of your experiences with ‘흡연?’ Please share your story in the comment section below.