When coming to another country, it is important to follow local traditions. Therefore, before you go to Korea, the land of k-pop and dramas, find out what you can and cannot do there!
Bow when you meet
Bows in Korea play an important role in culture and etiquette: they are used to express respect, gratitude, apologies, and greetings, and can vary in depth and form depending on the context and relationships between people. Here are the main types of bows that are found in Korean culture:
- Annenjo. This is an everyday bow during which a person is greeted. People lean forward slightly, maintaining eye contact;
- Kyongnae. A more formal bow used in formal and business contexts. The depth of the bow depends on the status and age of the person to whom it is addressed: the higher the status, the deeper the bow;
- Chol. The deepest and most respectful bow, in which a person bows so low that his hands and knees touch the ground. Such a bow is used on especially important occasions, for example, when greeting older family members on holidays, expressing deep gratitude or apologies, in religious ceremonies.
Do not occupy seats intended for pensioners or pregnant women
We are brought up to give up our seats to our elders, and we are always reminded of this in the subway. But in Korea, even during rush hour, there are empty places that are reserved for pregnant women!
Don't kiss on the street
You can hold hands, hug, but not kiss. This rule, of course, applies only to lovers. At the same time, friends and buddies may well sit on each other's lap and fool around in every possible way.
Take off your shoes at home
It is quite normal for us to take off our shoes before entering the house, but many Europeans do not understand why it is necessary. Koreans are very clean people who constantly do general cleaning at home, so they will consider it an insult if you go straight into the living room in your shoes.
If you are going to visit, take treats with you
We have this rule too, but in Korea it is taken much more seriously – it is considered an insult if a guest comes empty-handed. Buy desserts for tea or alcohol (in agreement with the hosts of the house).
Don't start eating before anyone else
Table etiquette is an important part of Korean culture. They do not start eating before the elder at the table, even if the dish is brought to them before everyone else and now it stands and cools down. But this rule does not apply to lunch/dinner with close friends, everything is much less formal there.
Do not eat with wooden sticks
They are eaten only in China and Japan - Koreans love metal sticks because they are easier to disinfect. They are used to take meat or vegetables, but they scoop up rice and soup with spoons. Remember the rule: never stick chopsticks into food! This is a bad sign in Korea (as well as throughout Asia).
Pour drinks correctly
Koreans do not pour alcohol for themselves, a person sitting next to them does it for them. But this does not apply to soft drinks: it is considered bad form if, for example, you pour water only for yourself, because everyone sitting at the table needs to fill the glasses.
Set the table correctly
Serving is also very important for the people of South Korea. Put a spoon at the plate first, then the chopsticks. The bowl with rice should be on the left, and with the soup on the right. If you set the table incorrectly, you can anger the gods (according to the sign), and no one needs this.
You can't write a person's name in red
This is also an important sign for any Korean. There is a sign that if you write a person's name in red, then he, as it is believed in the sign, will die soon. Therefore, it is better not to carry a red pen or pencil with you.
Accept gifts with both hands
The same goes for handshakes. Bill Gates responded to the Korean president's handshake with one hand, and he did not even take the other out of his pocket. The businessman was criticized for this act for a long time, because it is considered a terrible disrespect.
Do not touch people older than you
If these are not your loved ones, of course! But you should do it only at home, because this is a very intimate event. You can't touch a stranger older than you.
Share with others
Don't be greedy with Koreans, because they are always ready to treat others and share the thing that you seem to need more at the moment. By the way, in Korea, everyone is relatively calm about the theft or loss of an item, because they believe that something unnecessary has left their lives, and useful will definitely come to replace it.
Don't bare your shoulders
This rule applies only to girls. It is considered indecent to wear tops, T-shirts in which the shoulders are visible, so Korean women most often wear T-shirts, over which they wear tops.
Do not show soles
Yes, it sounds very strange, but these are the rules in Korea! There are a variety of postures that show off the sole, such as if you are sitting leg to foot. Avoid them and control the position of your legs.
Don't tip
Waiters, bartenders, and baristas make good money and will take tipping as an insult: they will think that you want to show how rich you are and how generously you help the poor. The café and restaurant staff will be pleased if you sincerely thank them for the warm welcome and come to them again.
We may not understand some Korean rules because our cultures are different. Therefore, it is important before going to this unusual country to learn about the rules of etiquette so as not to find yourself in an awkward situation.
