Having considered South Koreans as working even longer hours than us in the US, I was surprised to find out that since 2004 the government of South Korea has encouraged people to cut down their working week to 5 days.
Su Hyun Lee tells us about these changes and the popularity of Brunch in Seoul in South Koreans take to brunching (International Herald Tribune).
As much as I have to confess my poor skills with chopsticks she says "What is somewhat surprising about the brunch fashion is that Koreans
tend to be reluctant to try non-Korean foods. Even when traveling
abroad, they gravitate toward kimchi (or fermented vegetables) and
bibimpap (rice with vegetables and chili paste). Eating steak and
potatoes with knives and forks can be considered an act of
sophistication."
Not everyone gave up working Sundays as the impatient fellow she mentions at the end of her brunch piece shows.
Does Sunday always has to be The Rest Day or will we learn to mix it up a bit, depending on how much work we have on our plate, the season or sometimes just the need to take time off.
Going skying or visiting the beach midweek could be more enjoyable.
Are we still stuck in a mindset organizing work around face time, having to be at the office or wherever our work is supposed to be performed?
With all the flexibility we are gaining, how will we know when we to call it a day or just take a break for a`walk or lunch?
More questions than answers you might say.
Some of these ideas are explored on Employee Evolution founded in Wisconsin by a couple of Ryan including one from New Jersey and the wiser and older Penelope Trunk of Brazen Careerist fame.
Penelope suggests in Teaching old tropes new tricks that we change our approach to work by thinking of life built around a community that makes things possible and where we belong.
She mentions Live First, Work Second, a book by Rebecca Ryan as an illustration of these changes in the making.
That’s it for From Brunch to Lunch, Monday Work Etiquette #10
Previously: Giving Customers the Runaround, Is it your company practice?