Why "Pali-pali?"

I was baffled the moment I set foot on Incheon International Airport.

The reason?

Most people were walking or running to the point that I was almost stricken by panic. Everyone wants to get ahead of others. 

I thought there most be some type of emergency. I only stopped when my husband told me that they are running due to "pali- pali" culture.

The truth is, they all just wanted to go home the earliest time possible.

 

I was even more astonished when I witnessed how my Korean sister-in-law washed the dishes.

She literally attacked them with vigor as if subduing them in the mighty bubbles of the dishwashing liquid.

In a few minutes, she was done.

Was it necessary to put such amount of energy when there is no urgency to do so?

She said, Koreans just do things that way: the faster, the better.

 

What is "pali-pali" culture.

"Pali-pali" simply means faster.

It is a Korean expression that has become part of Korean culture.

Everyone wants to have their food delivered in a jiffy.

Food should be served in restaurants in the shortest time possible.

Koreans want almost all transactions done the quickest time.

Why have it done swifty?

What could be the history behind the pali-pali culture?

 

"Pali-pali" is said to have grown its roots in the 1960s when the government ambitiously targeted for economic expansion.

It was done vigorously and earnestly alongside goals and rigid planning. It was carried out almost in a hawkish manner.

After the economic boom, "pali-pali" has already permeated different areas of the society. It has become an office and a household expression.

Eventually, it was equated with efficiency and quality of service.

Its prized trophies are the colossal companies and conglomerates that have dominated the international market.

It was their sword in winning their battle against their impoverished post-war state. 

 

When Korea successfully flattened the curve in their fight against Covid-19, many countries were singing praises to them with the wish of emulating the strategies they have adopted.

They admitted that having prior experiences with SARS and AH1N1 have bequeathed them a sense of preparedness and knowledge in the management of the pandemic.

Nonetheless, there is no denying that "pali-pali" culture has again catalyzed the swift action of the government. Koreans demanded for quicker responses from the government and the government in return has taken steps to prevent the further spread of the virus.

Mass testing were perfomed, strict quarantine measures and monitoring were followed and aggressive sanitation were carried out regularly. 

 

"Pali-pali" may be frowned at in other cultures but for Korea, it has already became part of their lives.

It is deeply ingrained in their culture and has become their identity as Koreans.

At the end of the day, they always demand and say, "pali-pali!"