• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.173-183
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• 2024

The practice of paying for meals in a society is a social behavior that reflects the culture of that society. Accordingly, this study examined Koreans' way to pay for meal and perception of that meal payment methods in various contexts. In Study 1 and 2, Korean college students were asked open-ended questions about the payment methods that Koreans prefer in various situations, and asked to describe reasons for liking or disliking 9 payment methods derived by study 1. As a result, positive characteristics stood out as fairness such as rationality and fairness, as well as intimacy such as friendliness, affection. In Study 3 and 4, we investigated the perception of 6 payment methods (equal payment, membership dues payment, rotational payment, hierarchical payment, ability payment, and volunteering payment method) and examined whether there were generational differences in preferences for six payment methods depending on the situation. As a result, each payment method could be classified into a payment method closer to the logic of reason (sari), which emphasizes fairness, and the logic of heart (simjung), which emphasizes emotional intimacy. Payment method closer to fairness (equal method) was consistently preferred by young people. These results were discussed focusing on the cultural characteristics of Korean society.