The oddness of ALWAYS being 'nice'

Before coming to Korea I read lots and lots about the cultural perception of what is and is not socially acceptable, rude, and polite in Korea.  On my second day here I went out to eat with an office worker from my 'Hagwon' (Private School) named 'Eddy'.  Over a sizzling stir fry, which was cooked on a pan built right into the dining table, I told Eddy about the things I had read concerning politness in Korea and asked him if they were all true.  I figured he would have something to say that was worth hearing as I had already witnessed him defy a couple 'polite practice'.  Namely, he poured his own drink before he poured mine and he neglected to use two hands when passing me a bowl and chopsticks, both considered impolite things to do based on what I had read.

"No, it's ok" he ejaculated, "You don't have to".  I responded by saying something along the lines of "Ah, what I read must have been wrong" to which he gave a nervous laugh and replied "Yes". 

 Only much later, after having been assured that I need not observe the cultural practices I had read about, did I have another more meaningful discussion at my Hagwon with an Phillipino English teacher and a couple of her students.  Janice, the teacher, explained to me that Koreans always say yes to you, no matter if they understand you or agree with you.  This was a trait I had begun to be suspicious of myself...  Furthermore, a student with the English name Julie went on to explain that when someone asks you for your opinion in Korea, it is standard practice to always reply nicely.  Nicely meaning, you always agree, you always compliment, and you always positively reassure. 

For example, if I were to sport a pair of ass-less leather chaps and ask a coworker or a friend about how they looked, they would always reply that the ass-less chaps looked good on me, were stylish, ect...  If I asked whether or not they would be publicly acceptable in Korea, I would be reassured that they were fine.  The only people who might tell me otherwise would be elders, having earned an esteemed status with their aging, or a boss of mine, being an authority figure. 

Lesson learned.  I now strictly abide by what I have read on blogs and forums concerning politeness in Korea.  If these mannerisms do not elicit friendly responses, than empathy will usually do, as a warm smile and gleeful disposition will often be replied to in kind - this is true no matter where you are in the world.