Korea Travel Forum - Ask Anything about South Korea

Korea Travel Forum

Plan the perfect trip to South Korea; share your story, KPOP things, ask a question, earn your points

HaB Korea Forum

Plan the perfect trip to South Korea; share your story, KPOP things, ask a question, earn your points

First Time Visitor in Korea: My Top 10

When I visited South Korea for the first time there are a lot of things I sought for an explanation, here it is:

1) Why you have to use your both hands while accepting something?

2) Why do Koreans always asking for the age?

3) Why you cannot pour your own drinks?

4) Why is it bad to place chopsticks on the top of the bowl?

5) Why number 4 is being avoided?

6) Why you cannot write in red ink?

7) Why do Koreans always like shouting to each other?

8) Why some Koreans are usually using their middle fingers?

9) Why is it bad to give a "tip" in a restaurant?

10) Why you cannot give liquor to a woman, as a gift?
Mark Ravina Mark Ravina (177 Point) · 2020-01-10 08:14 · Views 12913
Total 7

  • 2020-01-13 11:23

    The explanation to almost all your questions comes from the high importance that respect for elders in Korean society has. In English it would best be described as "filial piety." It is the reason that you should address people properly based on their age or experience relative to you own. It's where the suffix to names like -ssi and -nim, and terms like Seonbae come from. Elders should be served or poured a drink first by a lesser, but elders are expected to pay for a meal. etc.

    1. you should use both hands to respect the giver, that you are showing gratitude and appreciation. Using one hand would seem flippant. Think of it has just the same as saying "thank you" when being handed something.
    2. again, especially if you are foreign Koreans may not be able to guess you age and would not know if you were older or young than themselves.
    3. again, respect the younger person should pour first, and if you have an empty glass it is expected that it is to be refill, so if you don't want to drink more, just nurse your drink. Leaving an empty glass and refusing a refill would be saying, "I don't want to drink with you, I want to leave."
    4. you should never stick chopsticks straight up and down in a bowl, this is a symbolic funeral image that is common throughout eastern asia.
    5. superstition
    6. superstition, to write it red would to wish death or thoughts of death upon the person especially if you were to write their name in red.
    7. Culturally I'm not sure, I think it's just relative to other cultures you may be used to.
    8. don't know
    9. tips are not expected, and if you do leave a tip it might be seen as a hand out, as if you are saying "It looks like you could use a few extra dollars" or that you feel sorry for them. prices are fixed to be what is expected for what services you receive.
    10. that would be very forward, like asking them out on a date.

    hope that helps


    • 2020-01-13 14:34

      Thank you for your explanation with details :) Wow for even Korean lol ummmm.. regarding 8, I guess Korean people don't really take seriously about "middle finger" as much as people from western culture do. It's more like a joke among friends. And these days some restaurants or bars do take tips :) That won't be a problem.


      • 2020-01-13 17:36

        Thank you for that!!


      • 2020-01-14 11:48

        Good point!


      • 2020-01-13 12:01

        That's great answers! It will be big helped


        • 2020-01-13 17:37

          wow! very helpful answer! thanks Jon Tomass! I am shocked at #10 hahaha


          • 2023-05-31 15:50

            Interesting questions, and I love reading the answers. Learned something new today about Koreans. Thank you! :)


            Tour and Activity Search

            Find your perfect tour or activity
            Clear

            Tour and Activity Search

            Find your perfect tour or activity

            Popular Tour Packages

            Discover the best Korea tours and activities

            Magazine HaB Korea

            Korea tour guide and reveiw
            Bolbbalgan4

            Bolbbalgan4 keeps top on the music chart list

            The popularity of the female duo Bolbbalgan4 is continuing during the long Chuseok holiday. As of 7:00 am on Oct. 5, Bolbbalgan4’s ‘Some’ came in first place in real time...
            Read More
            GDragon Paris

            G-Dragon attended ‘Chanel 2018 S / S Fashion Show’

            G-Dragon attended the Chanel fashion show and revealed the power of “fashionistas”. The G-Dragon participated in the ‘Chanel 2018 S / S Fashion Show’ held in Paris on October 3....
            Read More
            Chuseok Greeting 2017

            Korean entertainment stars gave a message of Chuseok

            Korean entertainment stars gave a message of Chuseok and gave a pleasant message. Singer Psy wrote on his instagram on the 2nd October, send a message “It’s Korean thanksgiving”. Head...
            Read More
            BTS Love yourself her

            BTS is on Billboard 200 and HOT 100, first time ever in KPOP history

            The BTS was the first Korean singer to show off his ability to keep charts for two consecutive weeks at the same time as the US Billboard main chart single...
            Read More
            Seoul Street Art Festival

            Seoul Street Arts Festival 2017

            Seoul Street Arts Festival 2017 will be held for four days from October 5th (Thursday) to October 8th (Sunday), which will be held at the Seoul Plaza and downtown areas....
            Read More
            Travel to Korea

            Things to consider before travelling to South Korea

            Pack for the season The outfit that you need to wear depends on the duration of your travel period. You don’t have to go fancy trying to bring your whole...
            Read More
            Namhae German Village beer festival

            Namhae German Village Beer Festival 2017 – Korea Oktoberfest

            The 8th Namhae German Village Beer Festival, modeled after Munich’s own Oktoberfest will be held from October 6th to 8th  at the picturesque German Village in Namhae-gun County, Gyeongsangnam-do Province...
            Read More
            Nami Island and Petite Day Tour_Abby

            K-Drama Private Day Tour – Customer Review on TripAdvisor

            Having been fond of Korean dramas since my middle school days, it was treated for me and my cousins to visit some filming locations in South Korea where they shot...
            Read More
            Gangnung Coffee Festival

            The 9th Gangneung Coffee Festival 2017

            The 9th Gangneung Coffee Festival, selected as Korea’s most promising festival, will be held at the ‘Izen’ Gangneung Green City Experience Center in Chodang-dong, Gangneung-si from Oct. 6th to 9th....
            Read More
            1 241 242 243 244 245 251

            Proceed Booking