Toefl Essay

Describe a custom from your country that you would like people from other countries to adopt. Explain your choice, using specific reasons and examples.

 

           Korea has lots of special traditions, and we Koreans have thought that relationship between people is very important. On the other hand, Korea has developed its own unique cuisine, and a popular food among them is the rice cake. Rice cakes are proven to be good for health, and they become such great snacks. If we combine the tradition of valuing relationships and love towards the rice cakes, another great custom comes out. People in Korea, traditionally, gave out rice cakes, called siru, to their new neighbors when they moved to a new area. This promotes a better and friendlier relationship between neighbors, and therefore should be adopted from other countries as well. These are the following reasons.

           To begin with, sharing rice cakes with new neighbors can promote the relationship and become more familiar to each other. These days, most people live by themselves. They all prefer individualism and so they do not communicate with people around them. Some even do not know who are living in the door right next. In this world, people should live together, cooperating and considering about each other. By passing the rice cakes, it does not only mean giving out, but also serves as a sign to know each other and to get closer as neighbors. Once, I was really distracted by the noises from the upper floor. They had just moved in and were quite understandable, but still I was annoyed. However, the next day, they brought a box of siru cakes. It was my first time getting that kind of gift from a neighbor, so I was astonished and thankful at the same time. Until now, we two homes maintain a very good relationship with each other. The rice cakes connected us. The power of sharing rice cakes will also be shown effectively in other countries as well.

           Moreover, the custom of sharing rice cakes can be easily adopted to other countries and change in the way that each country prefers. Rice cakes are Korean traditional food. Since the food shared does not have to be siru cake, other countries’ can use their won traditional food. This can also be a way to preserve the culture as well. While sharing the rice cake and notifying others that they had moved in, it is a great chance to meet each other for the first time. This custom takes place when one moves to a new place, which is very common in countries all around the world. Since it is very general and common culture but also brings many advantages, it will be very easy to be adopted.

           Sharing rice cakes can be very beneficial in many ways. People will be able to feel more comfortable towards their neighbors, and it can also be shown in a way of expressing politeness and respect towards each other. Also, since siru rice cake has a special meaning. In Korea, it means to let go of all bad luck. Adopting this custom will make people get nearer, and it will also be easily adopted in each country’s culture. People should go out and start to know their neighbors, just in a way our custom does.