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Your guide to living in Korea

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Korean traditional culture and modern customs

Korean Culture & Etiquette 🎎

한국 문화와 예절 가이드

📋 Table of Contents

1. Understanding Korean Culture
2. Greeting Etiquette
3. Dining Etiquette
4. Language & Speech Levels
5. Age Hierarchy Culture
6. Gift Giving Culture
7. Public Etiquette
8. Business Culture
9. Useful Korean Phrases

🌏Understanding Korean Culture

Korean culture is deeply influenced by Confucian values, emphasizing respect for elders, hierarchy, and social harmony. Understanding these cultural norms will help you navigate social situations more comfortably and build better relationships with Koreans.

Key Cultural Values

Respect (존경): Showing respect to elders and superiors
Harmony (화합): Maintaining group harmony over individual desires
Face (체면): Preserving dignity and reputation
Relationships (관계): Building and maintaining strong connections
Hierarchy (계층): Understanding social and age-based hierarchies

🙇Greeting Etiquette

Bowing (절하기)

Bowing is the traditional form of greeting in Korea. The depth and duration of the bow indicate the level of respect.

Casual Bow (15°)

Quick nod for peers, casual acquaintances, or when passing by

Standard Bow (30°)

Most common bow for everyday greetings, business situations

Deep Bow (45°+)

Formal situations, showing deep respect, or apologizing

Handshakes

When shaking hands with Koreans:

Use your right hand while supporting it with your left hand (shows respect)
Maintain eye contact but not too intensely
Wait for the elder or superior to extend their hand first
A slight bow while shaking hands shows extra respect

🍚Dining Etiquette

Basic Table Manners

✅ DO

✓ Wait for the eldest person to start eating first
✓ Use both hands when receiving or pouring drinks
✓ Turn away when drinking in front of elders
✓ Say "잘 먹겠습니다" (I will eat well) before eating
✓ Say "잘 먹었습니다" (I ate well) after finishing
✓ Try to finish everything on your plate
✓ Share side dishes (반찬)

❌ DON'T

✗ Don't stick chopsticks vertically in rice (funeral ritual)
✗ Don't blow your nose at the table
✗ Don't pick up your rice bowl (unlike Japanese culture)
✗ Don't pour your own drink (especially with elders present)
✗ Don't leave the table before elders finish
✗ Don't point with chopsticks
✗ Don't refuse the first drink offer from elders

💡 Special Situations

Drinking Culture (술자리):

Korean drinking culture is an important part of socializing. When drinking with superiors or elders, turn your head away and cover your mouth with your hand while drinking. Accept drinks with both hands.

Paying the Bill:

There's often a "fight" to pay the bill. Usually, the senior person or the one who suggested the meal pays. Dutch pay (더치페이) is becoming more common among younger people.

🗣️Language & Speech Levels

Korean has different levels of formality built into the language. Using the wrong level can be seen as rude or overly stiff.

존댓말 (Jondaetmal) - Formal/Polite Speech

Use with: elders, strangers, customers, superiors, first meetings

Example: 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo), 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida)

반말 (Banmal) - Informal/Casual Speech

Use with: close friends, younger people, family members (but NOT parents/grandparents)

Example: 안녕 (annyeong), 고마워 (gomawo)

⚠️ Important Tips

• Always start with 존댓말 (formal speech) until the other person suggests using 반말
• Don't use 반말 to older people unless they explicitly allow it
• In business settings, always use 존댓말 regardless of age
• When in doubt, use 존댓말 - it's better to be too polite than too casual

👥Age Hierarchy Culture

Age is extremely important in Korean culture. It determines who should be respected, who pays for meals, and even how people address each other.

The "나이 (Age)" Question

Don't be surprised when Koreans ask your age early in conversation. It's not rude - they need to know to use the appropriate speech level and determine social dynamics.

Common questions: "몇 살이세요?" (How old are you?) or "몇 년생이세요?" (What year were you born?)

형 (Hyeong) / 오빠 (Oppa)

Males call older males "형", females call older males "오빠". Shows respect and closeness.

누나 (Nuna) / 언니 (Eonni)

Males call older females "누나", females call older females "언니". Creates a family-like bond.

💡 For Foreigners

As a foreigner, Koreans will often be more lenient with age-related formalities. However, showing that you understand and respect these customs will earn you significant respect and help you build deeper relationships.

🎁Gift Giving Culture

Gift giving is an important part of Korean culture, especially during holidays, when visiting someone's home, or after receiving help.

✅ Good Gift Ideas

✓ Fruit gift sets (especially during Chuseok/Seollal)
✓ Korean beef (한우) or Spam gift sets
✓ Coffee or tea gift sets
✓ Department store gift certificates
✓ Snacks from your home country
✓ Health supplements (especially for elders)
✓ Nice hand cream or cosmetics sets

❌ Avoid These Gifts

✗ Shoes (symbolizes walking away)
✗ Red ink (used for writing names of deceased)
✗ Sets of 4 items (number 4 = death)
✗ Knives or scissors (symbolize cutting relationships)
✗ Handkerchiefs (associated with tears/goodbyes)
✗ Cheap or obviously used items

Gift Giving Etiquette

• Always use both hands when giving or receiving gifts
• Don't open gifts immediately in front of the giver (unless asked)
• Expect the recipient to refuse once or twice before accepting (be persistent!)
• Wrap gifts nicely - presentation matters!
• Avoid white or black wrapping (funeral colors)
• When receiving money, use proper envelopes (세뱃돈 for children, 축의금 for weddings)

🚇Public Etiquette

Subway & Bus Etiquette

• Always give up seats for elderly, pregnant women, or disabled
• Pink/priority seats are for elderly and disabled ONLY
• Keep phone calls short and quiet
• Don't eat or drink (water is usually okay)
• Stand to the right on escalators (left is for walking)
• Let people exit before boarding

General Public Spaces

• Take off shoes when entering homes, some restaurants, jimjilbangs
• Don't blow your nose loudly in public (go to restroom)
• Queuing is taken seriously - don't cut in line
• Be mindful of personal space
• Smoking is only allowed in designated areas
• Keep noise down in residential areas (especially after 10 PM)

🚶 Walking & Traffic

People generally walk on the right side. Be aware that delivery scooters can be on sidewalks (though technically illegal). Always look both ways before crossing, even at crosswalks - not all drivers stop for pedestrians.

💼Business Culture

Business Card Exchange

• Present with both hands, text facing recipient
• Receive with both hands
• Study the card briefly before putting away
• Never write on someone's card in front of them
• Have a Korean side on your card

Meeting Etiquette

• Always be on time (or early)
• Dress conservatively and professionally
• Wait for senior person to sit first
• Don't disagree openly with superiors
• Silence can mean disagreement or consideration

회식 (Hoesik) - Company Dinners

Company dinners are almost mandatory social events. They're opportunities to bond with colleagues and show loyalty to the company. Expect drinking, karaoke, and multiple rounds (1차, 2차, 3차...).

Tip: You can decline drinking by citing health or religious reasons, but try to attend at least part of the event.