Also known as the land of the morning calmSouth Korea is a dream destination for globetrotters. A land of abundant riches, it offers visitors several tourist spots to familiarise themselves with Asian culture. While travelling in this country requires a few administrative formalities, it is also advisable to find out about customs to avoid being repatriated. What Korean traditions should you respect when travelling? Here are the essentials to remember!
The greeting
If you already have a visa and a plane ticket to fly to South Korea, you should be aware that you must comply with certain traditions, including the greeting. The people of this country don't shake hands like in the West.
If you don't want to say the traditional an-nyeong-ha-se-yo which means hello in the local language, it is important to keep a suitable distance and bow slightly. In the greeting process, you should avoid eye contact with the person you are shaking hands with. Very conservative Koreans regard shaking hands as a sign of disrespect.
Avoid sticking your chopsticks into food and decline an invitation from an old friend
It is a Korean and Asian custom to plant incense sticks in a bowl of sand to symbolise a funeral. When you eat a meal, in this case rice, so avoid sticking your chopsticks into it. It evokes death and you can embarrass your guests.
Similarly, at a meal, tradition dictates that the eldest person should offer you a glass of beer or " soju ". Whether you drink alcohol or not, you should not decline this invitation. It's important to accept the glass first and then exchange it for water. It's a gesture of friendship that shows the elderly person values you and wants to become close to you.
Declining the offer is considered a sign of non-consideration. Note that to drink the glass of soju, in front of an elderly person, you have to turn your head. In this way, you prove that the person in front of you is an elder who deserves consideration.
Avoid receiving gifts with one hand and blowing your nose in public
In South Korea, when you wish to give or receive a gift from a native, use both hands to show your enchantment. The same principle also applies when you want to serve someone tea or water. Receiving with one hand is frowned upon.
You've probably caught a cold while out sightseeing. If you're in the company of a Korean, sniffing is much more tolerated than blowing your nose loudly in public. It's considered poor manners and unhygienic.
Paying for the second round and making noise on public transport
When a senior invites you to a restaurant, they usually pay for the first part of the meal. You should return the favour by paying the bill for the second round or at least take care of the dessert or tea. Outings in South Korea are often participative.
Perhaps you would like to visit the magnificent Seoraksan Park and have decided to take public transport, such as the metro. Avoid talking too loudly on the phone or clapping your hands. Silence is the watchword in these places where it is forbidden to inconvenience your neighbour.
Taking your shoes off in living areas
In Korea, it is forbidden to enter a native person's home in your shoes. The people of South Korea are very keen on keeping their homes clean. They pay particular attention to their floors, as their way of life revolves around them. Most of their activities take place on the floor, and their dining tables are relatively low, as they usually dine on the floor.
For them, the impure elements must remain outside. That's why in houses and flats, the entrance is built lower than the rest of the house, so that you can leave your sandals there and keep the house clean.
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