Travel guides › Korean Etiquette for Travelers: Common Manners That Are Easy to Get Wrong
Korean Etiquette for Travelers: Common Manners That Are Easy to Get Wrong
Not many people expect a traveler to be perfectly polite, but knowing a few basic rules lets you get along more comfortably with locals. This article covers etiquette worth knowing in situations you often meet in Korea. It differs by region, generation and place, so read it as a reference rather than an absolute rule.
Greetings and conversation
A light bow is the usual greeting in Korea, and handshakes are mainly for business or formal occasions. Using polite speech with older people you meet for the first time is the norm, so learning phrases such as "annyeonghaseyo" and "gamsahamnida" makes a good impression even if you do not speak Korean. Handing things over with both hands is seen as respectful.
Dining etiquette
- Traditionally you do not pick up your rice bowl but leave it on the table and eat with a spoon.
- Do not stand chopsticks or a spoon upright in rice, because it recalls ancestral memorial rites.
- At a table with elders, you often wait for the elder to pick up their spoon first.
- When pouring a drink, pour with both hands, and receive with both hands, which is seen as polite.
- Serve shared stews and side dishes onto your own plate, and use the shared spoon if there is one.
There is no tipping culture in Korea. You do not need to leave extra at restaurants, in taxis or for beauty services.
Shoes and indoor rules
You take off your shoes when entering hanok, some restaurants, accommodations and jjimjilbang. A shoe rack at the entrance or a step in the floor is a sign that shoes come off. If you worry about holes in your socks, packing a spare pair is handy.
Public transport and public places
- On the subway and buses, keep phone calls short and quiet.
- Use earphones for video or music.
- Keep priority seats and pregnancy seats free for the people they are meant for.
- People line up in most places, so do not cut in line.
- On escalators, holding the handrail and standing still is recommended for safety.
When taking photos
Taking photos at sights is free, but ask permission first for photos where a person is the subject. In hanok villages where people live, inside restaurants and in religious sites, follow the photography rules. Avoid unauthorized photography or commotion at places such as entertainment-agency buildings.
Trash and the environment
It is often hard to find a public trash can on the street. Carry a small plastic bag, collect your trash and throw it away at your accommodation or a trash can. Korea sorts waste thoroughly, so follow the recycling instructions at accommodations and restaurants. Smoking is banned indoors by law in many places, and there are no-smoking areas on streets too, so look for the signs.
Official sources
Rules, fares and opening hours change often. Check the latest details on the official sites below.