A foreign country means foreign customs and cultures. It is important to learn more about a country’s customs before you travel, so you will not unintentionally disrespect others. While Korea is quite modernized in many ways, there are some eccentricities to expect while in Korea. Here are a few:
- Kimchi is sliced cabbage, fermented with red chili sauce and anchovy paste. It is pungent, spicy, and sour. Koreans love it and eat it with every meal – usually on the side – though they also use it as an ingredient in countless other dishes. Kimchi is symbolic of Korean culture: it’s strong, distinctive, and defiant. Some foreigners can’t stomach it, but if you can, you will earn the locals’ heartfelt respect.
- When entering a Korean home, you must remove your shoes. To do any less is a sign of great disrespect.
- Korea is a drinking culture, and their national booze is soju, a clear, vodka-like drink. Koreans have strict drinking etiquette: never pour your own drink, and when pouring for someone older than you, put one hand to your heart or your pouring arm as a sign of respect.
- Like the Japanese, the Koreans eat rice with almost every meal. Unlike the Japanese, Koreans usually eat their rice with a spoon, and they never raise the rice bowl off of the table towards their mouths. Also, chopsticks must never be left sticking out of the rice bowl, as this resembles the way rice is offered to the dead.
- To a Korean, there is no such thing as The Sea of Japan. The body of water between Korea and Japan is known only as the East Sea.
- There are many superstitions in Korea, and one of them is writing a person’s name in red ink. By doing that it means they will die soon or you want them to die. This is because a long time ago the names of the deceased were written in red on registers, gravestones and plaques to ward off evil spirits.
- Using one hand (especially if it’s with your left hand) is considered to be rude so try and get in a habit of always using both hands to give or receive things.
- When meeting for the first time, older Koreans will tend to ask about your age, your parents’ jobs, your job, and your education level. If you feel uncomfortable about the questions, just provide short answers and discreetly try to change the topic if possible.
- Alike other Asian countries, when giving tips in restaurants, it is polite to fold the bill and hand it into the waiter’s hands secretly and quietly, rather than leaving it on the table or displaying/waving the bill in full shape like the social norm in Western countries.
- To beckon someone, extend your arm, palm down, and move your fingers in a scratching motion. Never point with your index finger.
- Do not cross your legs or stretch your legs out straight in front of you. Keep your feet on the floor, never on a desk or chair.
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