A Guide to Korean Etiquette for Travelers

South Korea is a deeply polite and respectful society rooted in Confucian values. While locals are generally very forgiving of foreigners making mistakes, showing that you’ve made an effort to understand their customs will earn you immense respect, better service, and warmer interactions throughout your trip.

1. The Art of the Bow

Bowing is the standard greeting in Korea. You do not need to perform a deep, 90-degree bow. A slight incline of the head and shoulders (about 15 to 30 degrees) is perfectly adequate when greeting shop owners, hotel staff, or elders. If you are meeting someone in a professional setting, a handshake combined with a slight bow is common.

2. Handing Over Money and Items

In Korea, using two hands to give or receive items is a sign of respect. This applies to money, credit cards, business cards, and even pouring drinks. If using both hands feels awkward, you can use your right hand to hand over the item, while lightly supporting your right elbow or forearm with your left hand. Never hand over money with just an outstretched left hand.

3. Dining and Drinking Etiquette

Korean dining involves a myriad of unwritten rules, mostly centered around respect for elders:

• Eating: Do not pick up your spoon or chopsticks until the oldest person at the table has started eating. When you are finished, place your utensils back on the table, not resting inside the bowl.
• Chopsticks: Never leave your chopsticks sticking vertically out of a bowl of rice. This visually resembles incense burned at funerals and is considered a severe omen of bad luck.
• Drinking: When someone older offers you a drink (usually Soju), hold your glass with two hands. When drinking, it is polite to turn your head slightly away from the older person before taking the shot. And never pour your own drink; pour for others, and wait for them to pour for you.

4. Shoes Off Indoors

This is non-negotiable. If you enter a Korean home, a traditional guesthouse (Hanok), and many traditional restaurants, you must take off your shoes at the entrance (genkan). You will usually be provided with slippers. Because of this, always wear clean socks without holes when traveling in Korea!

5. Public Behavior

Koreans value public harmony. Speaking loudly on the subway, shouting across a restaurant, or playing loud music in public spaces is heavily frowned upon. Conversely, physical pushing on crowded subways is common and not considered rude—it’s just a reality of living in a dense city of 10 million people. Don't take it personally.