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How to Be a Beloved Traveler: Korean Manners
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How to Be a Beloved Traveler: Korean Manners
How low should I bow? Can I lift my rice bowl? Learn the sensible manners that will make Koreans say, 'Wow, you know Korea well!'
Bowing, dining etiquette, drinking manners, shoes off.
MANNERS★☆☆🙇 Greeting🥢 Chopsticks👟 Shoes Off
Don't just nod, do a 'Belly Button Bow'
In Korea, 'Hello' isn't just a word, it's an action.
A simple nod is okay for friends, but it can look rude to others.
When entering a shop or meeting someone older,
it is polite to bow slightly from your waist.
If you say 'Annyeonghaseyo~' brightly while bowing,
you will be welcomed anywhere you go.
Pro tip: When shaking hands, support your right elbow with your left hand.
It shows great respect!
Never stick chopsticks in your rice!
There is one thing you must NEVER do while eating.
Do not stick your chopsticks vertically into your rice bowl!
This looks like incense sticks used at funerals or ancestor rituals,
so it is considered very bad luck and rude.
When you need to put your chopsticks down,
place them on the chopstick rest or lay them across the bowl horizontally.
Follow this rule, and your table manners are 100% perfect!
Turn your head away with elders
Have you seen people turning their heads to drink in K-Dramas?
When drinking with an older person,
it is polite to cover your glass and turn your head slightly away.
Also, always use **two hands** when pouring or receiving a drink.
Just support your right wrist lightly with your left hand.
It signifies 'respect' and will definitely impress your Korean friends.
Shoes in the cabinet, feet relaxed
Korea has a floor heating culture called 'Ondol,' so people sit on the floor.
Therefore, you MUST take off your shoes when entering a home.
Some traditional restaurants or temples also require shoes off.
If you see a shoe cabinet at the entrance, don't panic and just take them off.
Pro tip: Check your socks for holes beforehand!
Wearing socks is considered more polite than being barefoot.