Gyeongbokgung palace in Seoul, Korean traditional architecture | Photo by KS KYUNG on Unsplash
Traveling to South Korea opens the door to a captivating fusion of ancient traditions and modern vibrancy. As a first-time traveler, immersing yourself in Korean culture is key to unlocking a truly enriching experience. From mastering basic phrases to embracing traditional customs, these travel tips will not only enhance your stay but also allow you to connect more deeply with the warm and welcoming locals. Join us on a journey through the heart of South Korea, where every step unveils a tapestry of history, hospitality, and a unique blend of old and new.
The best way to avoid classic tourist mistakes on any trips is by enlisting the support of a local guide, which you can do with one of these tours and experiences in South Korea.
The Korean alphabet is easy as A-B-C
Hangul (which translates to “great script”) is the official alphabet of the Korean language. Unlike Chinese, it’s phonetic, meaning it’s made up of letters that can be sounded out rather than characters that have to be memorized. At first sight, the script may come across as incomprehensible, but the alphabet itself is actually quite easy to learn. For some, it can be mastered in just a day. Knowing the alphabet will make traveling in Korea much easier, even if you don’t speak Korean, as you’ll be able to recognize food names on menus and destinations on street signs.
Transportation is efficient and inexpensive
Thanks to the country’s amazing public transportation system, it’s incredibly easy (and cheap) to get around. When you arrive, pick up a T-Money card, which can be used on public buses and subways in several different metropolitan cities. It also saves travelers the hassle of purchasing single journey subway tickets for every ride, and provides discounts on rides during transfers. Taxis are just about everywhere and fares, which are calculated based on time and distance, are inexpensive. Avoid black or “deluxe” taxis, which charge a premium for reportedly better services.
A subway bridge in Seoul, South Korea that travels over the Han River | Photo by The Creativv on Unsplash
It’s okay to shout at your server
At restaurants in Korea, servers will let you eat you meal without interruption, until you call them over to let them know that you need something, like second servings of galbi or another bottle of beer. This can be done in two ways. First, you can shout “Yogiyo!” which mean’s, “I’m here!” Or, at some places, you can simply push the call button, a convenient summoning device built right into the table. When you’re ready to pay, take your bill (which is usually left on the table) straight to the counter.
Tipping isn’t necessary
Despite the generally good service provided at restaurants (and everywhere, really), tipping is not required or expected. Cab drivers, hairdressers, porters and bellboys are certainly grateful for tips, but the culture is simply not practiced among Koreans. If you do decide to tip, the amount is entirely up to you.
Restaurant in Seoul, South Korea | Photo by Sungjoon Steve Won on Unsplash
Public bathrooms can be a bit confusing
Even though many public bathrooms boast Western-style toilets, it’s not uncommon to come across the squatty potty. When using it, make sure the tips of your shoes line up with the front of the porcelain to avoid unwanted splashing. Other toilets might be equipped with a remote control like operating system that has the ability to initiate a bidet or warm the toilet seat. In some older buildings, the toilet paper dispenser is located on the outside of the restroom entrance, so be sure to take enough before going into the stall. Toss used toilet paper into a trash bin rather than flushing it, as the toilet may get clogged.
South Korea is one of the safest countries in the world, but…
South Korea has one of the lowest crime rates in the modern world. While its metropolitan areas are not free of petty thieves, con artists and drunken brawlers, they remain mostly safe at any hour of the day so long as you remain vigilant of your surroundings and keep a low profile.
That said, it should be noted that some of the country’s legal adjudications are, at times, unfairly biased against international visitors and residents. Should a Korean accost you at a bar, walk away. If you hit him back, you might find yourself incarcerated, as the law is likely to side with the Korean nearly every time.
Policeman in Seoul, South Korea | Photo by Thierry Chabot on Unsplash
Wear shower shoes
It should be noted that many Korean bathrooms do not have a bathtub or enclosed shower. Instead, there is a shower head attached the wall of the same room. While this helps to economize space, it can create a bit of a mess, so communal shower shoes are often available in places like budget hotels. If you’re weird about sharing shoes with strangers, be sure to bring a pair of your own.
There’s no such thing as personal space
With a population of over 25 million, there is simply no room for personal space in Seoul, or any other Korean metropolis. As a result, pushing and shoving are not uncommon. If anything, they’re the norm, and not seen as rude gestures. So if you happen to find yourself being elbowed in the subway or pushed while you’re waiting in line for the bathroom, don’t take it personally.
Streets in Seoul, South Korea | Photo by Alexandre Chambon on Unsplash
Gifts equate to graciousness
The exchange of gifts is an important part of Korean life – both in personal and business relationships – and is closely linked to showing respect, maintaining harmony and being courteous. If you are invited to someone’s home, it is customary to bring a small gift, such as flowers or a bottle of wine, to show your graciousness. Gifts are given with two hands, and are never opened in front of the giver.
Confucius rules the land
South Korea is a vibrant, modern, highly technological state. Despite this, the nation still revolves around traditional customs and values, including Confucianism, a system that promotes social harmony and governs all the interactions – however small they may be – between families, friends, colleagues and even strangers. Newcomers may not recognize the subtleties of the ancient structure, but can quickly learn the basics. Speak politely to elders (the Korean language has a specific honorific speech just for this), always accept when offered a shot of soju, and wait for your boss to eat first before digging into dinner.
Elderly couple in Seoul, South Korea | Photo by Daniel Bernard on Unsplash
Etiquette Tips to Remember When Visiting South Korea
South Korean culture embodies Confucian respect for hierarchy and tradition. Behavior is altered depending on age, status and wealth, and age-old customs are still practised today. While it’s easy to claim foreigner ignorance when making cultural blunders here, there is a basic, unspoken set of rules you need to be aware of when visiting the country. Here’s our essential guide to Korean etiquette, guaranteed to make you a favorite with any local, courtesy of South Korea expert Abby Narishkin.
Dining
When you first arrive at the table, keep the most honored guest, usually the eldest, in mind. Remain standing until they’ve been seated furthest from the door. Then, take your seat on a comfortable floor cushion, tucked underneath a low-set table. For the untrained westerner, this unsupported eating position on the floor can get pretty painful come hour two. Adjust your positioning as much as you want, but be cautious not to kick your neighbor.
Distract yourself from those tingling legs with the food. Dive into your personal rice bowl or the endless banchan (accompanyhing dishes of food) consisting of kimchi, sweet corn or pickled veggies. Aside from your rice, all the dishes in Korean BBQ are communal, following Confucian beliefs that shared food strengthens relationships. Traditionally the youngest adult would cook the meat in a restaurant setting, cooking and cutting the meat on the small stove in the center of the table.
When it comes to drinks, live by the rule, “don’t fill your own glass, but make sure everyone else’s glass is full.” Accept a drink poured for you with two hands, and pour others glasses by balancing your non-pouring hand on your forearm. Keep a watchful eye on the glass of the eldest at the table, as his/hers should always filled to the rim. Now clink away, saying geon-beh for cheers, and you’re ready to dine like a Korean!
Korean BBQ | Abby Narishkin
Paying the bill
It’s customary that the eldest at the table will pay for a meal, or in far more common instances, whoever did the inviting will pay. That’s how many foreign teachers in Korea end up with free meal after free meal; their principals do the inviting. If you are being treated to a meal, don’t insist on paying. The awkward “paying dance” may be appropriate in other cultures, but not in Korea. If you do find yourself in the paying seat, any time you give or receive money, do so with two hands. At the very least, rest the non-dominant hand on your other forearm as you receive or pass on the money. This practice is common, carried out during even the simplest of monetary transactions.
Greetings
Due to the importance placed on hierarchy within Korean culture, there isn’t one fail-safe “hello” appropriate for anyone. It depends on age and status. When addressing someone younger or of lower status, a simple annyeong will suffice, accompanied by a slight bow of the head. When greeting someone of your own status or age, annyeong haseyo is the way to go, along with a lowering of the eyes and a slight bow at the waist. When interacting with very important people, the most formal, annyeong hashimnika, is appropriate. Tack on a slightly deeper bow, starting at the waist, hands folded at your lower belly, and you’ll be set. Tip: for men, hands for bowing are placed left over right, and for women, right hand over left.
Transportation
You’ll notice that Koreans rarely speak on public transport. If any chatter does happen, it’s in hushed tones, or by the occasional insensitive teenager. If you are talking loudly, don’t be surprised if an auntie or older gentleman gives you a sign to be quiet. Don’t take offense – it’s just how things are done here. When it comes to designated seats for disabled, pregnant or elderly people, don’t sit down, even if the seat is empty and there’s no such person in sight. In Korea, these seats are left unoccupied on the off-chance that they are needed. If you’re in a regular seat though, and no seats are left, give it up for an elderly person or someone who may need it more than you do.
Clothing
From the ever-popular Adidas to flowing daytime dresses or the traditional hanbok, South Korea’s got the style game figured out. Although fashion experimentation is widely accepted here, there are a few unspoken rules. For women, the shortest of skirts is fine… but don’t expose your shoulders or cleavage. When in doubt, go for a high neckline. For men, shorts are becoming more popular, but long pants are still the norm in the workplace setting.
Entering and taking off your shoes
Pretty much everywhere – restaurants, bathrooms, homes, schools and the occasional store – requires you to remove your shoes before entering. While this tradition will leave you hoping for the fashion resurgence of velcro shoes, it has nothing to do with inconvenience and everything to do with cleanliness. Koreans eat, sleep and sit on the floor, so tracking dirt across where they spend the majority of their lives would be grossly inappropriate. So fling off those kicks, grab a pair of indoor sandals and stay awhile.
| © Sunti/Shutterstock
Trips and Tours in South Korea
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Enlist the help of a local guide not just for an afternoon but for the whole trip when you book a spot on one of the immersive multi-day tours in our Korea collection. We’ve got a variety of itineraries in there, ranging in price, length and trip style.
