So, yes I realized it, but no I didn’t until today-- I turned 25-25 days ago according to Korean age. Too bad it wouldn’t hold up in the states lower car insurance, rental cars, the dreaded quarter century mark.
I thought I would try to more thoroughly explain how to calculate your Eastern Asian age:
Koreans, Chinese, Japanese and several other Eastern Asian countries believe that upon your birth you are a year old and then your age is determined not by your birthday, but by the year; your age begins at conception. So if you are born in December you are one year old, but then immediately turn two in January; though if you are born earlier in the year your age is more appropriate thus giving the one to two year discrepancies (January to January is a full year).
Some Southeastern Asian countries: Thailand, Cambodia and Laos usually consider the year as a whole so, if in 2010 you will be 24, you are 24. Most change their age based upon the Gregorian/Western calendar, but some wait for the Lunar New Year. Mongolia actually bases age on Full Moon counts since conception for girls and New Moon counts since conception for boys. I have a Mongolian friend who is almost three years older than the western world would see her due to extra full moons the last two years.
I hope that this is clearer.
It is a confusing idea, but one that effect how we look at ourselves as foreigners in these countries. Koreans especially are very age conscious and prefer to be and are expected to be with people within a year of their own age. That is not the same with Thai, but Thai are more aware of age due to the respect given and received even within a social group. I have not found the age issue as prominent in “Western” society as far as social groupings; usually the issue only arises within relationships and intimate couples.
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