A sign of love

So, what do these two pictures have in common? Couples who look the same, right? While I cannot take credit for the second picture (thank you Yoon), the first picture was taken out of my hotel window in Gyeongju. I really wanted to take out one of the cute little ducky paddle boats, but the opportunity did not present itself. In addition, I had several opportunities to take pictures, but I did not want to look like a creeper. I digress.

So, back to the matching couple, or should I say couples? Not only was I fascinated with the social (un)norms of fashion in Korea (more about this later), I could not help but notice the (over) abundance of couples wearing the same shirts and, in some cases, the same OUTFITS. While it is clearly a sign of the love and adoration people have for each other, I could not help but smile uncontrollably or laugh every once in a while. Why? Well, in the States, if my husband and I tried to go out in public with matching shirts on, we would most certainly get ridiculed and laughed at. People would whisper as we passed by or speak just loudly enough for us to hear them. I did happen to buy matching t-shirts from the DMZ for me, my husband and my 2 year old daughter. When we venture out to the zoo this weekend, maybe we will all wear the shirts and I can conduct my own little sociological experiment. Of course, I could probably cut my right arm off too, before I'd be able to convince my husband that wearing matching shirts is a good idea, lol.

Regardless of what I, as an American observed and thought about the matching couples fashion, I do have to admit that there is something endearing about it. It is easy to tell your significant other that you love them, but somehow, wearing the same article of clothing adds an element of two people being equals, which is unusual in a society that is still very male-dominated. Almost as unusual as the man who carries the woman's purse, parasol, etc. Of course, my main interpretation is that it is not strange, it is merely chivalry at its best. Thank you to the men of Korea for validating that chivalry still exists. Kudos.