How old are you?

Although this is not a new realization by any means, but the question "How old are you?" officially confuses me and is now a question I must think twice about before responding.

Culturally it is normal and quite common to ask new friends you've met in Korea how old they are. If you are within 2-3 years of their age you can be "friends" (친구 - Chin- gu). If you are not within that age range you can still become close with a person, but technically you are not friends. Also, within a friendship you must always show your respect to the person who is older. This seems to be of upmost importance especially at meal times, where you can't eat until the oldest person at the table has begun. 

Lets now look at a little hypothetical situation...
So you're with a new Korean friend you've made here in Korea and you go out for supper knowing the customs and cultural rules. You also know that they are 26 years old (Korean age), 1 year older than you, who is from North America (you are 25 NA age). So technically your new Korean friend is older than you right? 

The low down on age: 

Here in Korea, when you are born you are born being 1 year old. The first year of life is considered to be the 9 months spent in the womb. So...lets say Sally was born in Korea on December 22, 2011, at this time Sally is 1 year old.  Everyone's age goes up by one year on New Years Day. This means Sally turns 2 on January 1, 2012. She is now 2 years old Korean age (although technically only a few weeks old North American age). She will not turn 3 on December 22, 2012, although that is her birthday. She will turn 3 on January 1, 2013. So although you have your birthday your age number dosent change until the new year. This is of course based on the Solar calendar.  (I know Korea also follows the Lunar calendar and therefore everyone has two birthday's but age is based on the Solar calendar). 

Back to your supper now with your Korean friend who is 26 years old... You probably thought your friend is one year older right??  WRONG! Your new friend is 24 years old (North American Age) while you are 27 (Korean age).  SURPRISE! So in the meal setting, you're older and therefore should begin eating first, and may I add probably pay for the bill (this depends who invited whom, let's not digress here). 

You see this is why the "how old are you?" question now seems to stump many of us foreign people. How old am I, seriously? What age do I say? We (as in foreigner in Korea) now often clarify when asked that question I am ___ North American age and ___ Korean age. Or we go straight to I was born in 19__.  

This was all brought to my attention as my grade 6 students wrote letters to Ms. Y's class in Canada. Many have written "I am 13 years old" as a part of the letter. Well yes they are 13 years old in Korea, but 11 years old in Canada. Thanks for reminding me of one of the many cultural differences here. 

Now I really know you want to visit Korea now so you can instantly age by 2 years right?! Just a little food for thought. :)