[Ecohoon] Small Talk Culture, The Restoration of a Warm Culture is Urgently Needed

At some point, our country began to shut its mouths. It's uncomfortable, bothersome, and I'm not interested in talking to the person next to me. It's just awkward, and I do my job and disappear when I'm done.

That wasn't the case in our old lives. We were neighbors who opened our doors and talked to each other, and in the market, we expressed gratitude with negotiations with the boss and a handful of warmth, and if help was needed, we empathized and helped each other.

Life seems to have been more united because it was difficult. Young people today probably don't have that kind of emotion or memory. Even if you order something to eat on the street, you tend to stand without knowing each other, and it's even very unpleasant if you talk to them.

For the past few months, I've been watching the Zonia channel to study English and learn British English pronunciation. Now, I focus on 'small talk' that comes from here. Zonia is a Korean woman working as a barista in the UK. She gained fame for her conversations with British people ordering coffee at a cafe. Although it's small talk, it feels very friendly, and there's small, trivial laughter, joy, and happiness.

These days, I'm watching the YouTube content of Miran and Alex. Miran and her husband Alex are selling K-food on the streets of rural Australia and at weekend markets. They build friendships with Australians who order food, and they talk about life with customers they see often. It's not that they sell great food, nor are great people coming out to talk.

The most impressive part is that the Australians who order are talking to each other, such as "This food is really delicious. You should try it." I just miss this kind of thing. I hope this culture is restored for us too.

From some point on, competition has become extremely intense, and we are growling at each other even if we don't speak. It's like, 'If you touch me, I'll bite you.' But it's strange that it's not like that when you actually talk to them. I hope we can change to an open-minded attitude without hiding from each other, without being wary, and opening our hearts.

https://www.youtube.com/@MiranAlex