<aside> 🇰🇷 Table of Contents

Cultural Etiquette

  1. Always remove your shoes when entering someone's home.
  2. Use both hands when giving or receiving something, especially to elders.
  3. It's polite to bow slightly when greeting someone.
  4. Respect the hierarchical nature of Korean society, especially in business settings.
  5. When dining, wait for the eldest person to start eating first.
  6. Avoid writing someone's name in red ink as it is associated with death.
  7. Don't point with your index finger; use your whole hand instead.
  8. Be mindful of personal space and avoid excessive physical contact.
  9. Always cover your mouth when yawning or coughing.
  10. Show respect to elders by standing when they enter the room.

Food and Dining

  1. Try traditional Korean dishes like kimchi, bulgogi, and bibimbap.
  2. Use chopsticks and a spoon for most meals; avoid sticking chopsticks upright in rice.
  3. Sharing food is common, so don't be surprised if someone offers you a taste of their dish.
  4. Always pour drinks for others before filling your own glass.
  5. It's polite to refuse a drink a couple of times before accepting.
  6. When eating noodles, slurping is considered a sign of enjoyment.
  7. Leave a small amount of food on your plate if you are full; finishing everything might imply you are still hungry.