KOREAN ETIQUETTE

A Basic Guide for Foreigners

INTRODUCTION

Annyeong haseyo. Jeoneun Lee Eun Ae

imnida. Hello, my name is Lee Eun Ae.

. I’ll be teaching you a few of the basics in

Korean etiquette. As you may already know

Korea is one of the most polite countries in the

world. Therefore if you’re new to the country

it would be handy if you knew a few of the

rules and customs so as to avoid accidently

offending anyone. ^^

MEETING & GREETING

When meeting new people it is traditional for

you to bow and greet them with ‘annyeong

haseyo’ . Men will also accompany the bow

with a handshake, resting their right forearm

over their left. (Women do not shake hands).

When greeting elders it is expected for you to

bow low – showing respect to their elders.

KOREAN BOWS

There are various types of bows in Korea:

Ban-jeol: is the half-bow which elders (or those of a

higher status) do in response to someone younger.

Pyong-jeol: or the ordinary bow which is exchanged

between friends and those on a similar status.

Keun-jeol: is the deep bow which is performed

during celebrations and other formal occassions.

KEUN-JEOL

To perform the deep bow. First,

you need to stand straight with

your hands resting just over your

naval. Men have their left hand

over their right and women vice

versa.

KEUN-JEOL

The second step is to raise your hands

(still clasped over each other) to chest

level.

The next step is different for both

genders.

Men: need to place both hands on the

ground and lower themselves.

Women: keep hands in position and lower

themselves to the ground, left knee first.

KEUN-JEOL

Men: bow placing your head on the

ground.

Women: bend your body at 45°

angle.

After holding that position for a

moment, it’s time to stand up again.

This time right leg first.

Women need to keep their hands

in the same position.

KEUN-JEOL

Stand up, back to the first

position you were in.

And bow one more time.

And that’s all to the keun-jeol.

NAMES

In Korea it is considered rude to refer to

someone by their given name. When

introduced, Koreans usually give their family

name first followed by the given name. For

example, my name is Lee Eun Ae (family name,

given name) so you would refer to me as Lee-

ssi or Miss Lee. Generally though, Koreans

tend to refer to each other by their

professional titles.

EATING & DRINKING 1

In Korea, sharing dinner is an important part of the culture

so you must keep in mind certain customs.

You should let your host choose your seat for you.

Do not eat or drink until the oldest person has started

eating.

You do not pour your own drinks when out to dinner but

you can offer to pour someone else’s drinks. (Note: often the

youngest at the table pours for everyone else.)

Do not eat or drink until the oldest person has started

eating.

EATING & DRINKING 2

The polite way to pass or accept food is to use your right hand

while your left hand supports your forearm/wrist.

When offered a second helping it is polite to refuse first, the

host will usually offer again and then it’s okay to accept more.

During the meal and at the end, do not cross or rest your

chopsticks on your plate and do not point the chopsticks at

anyone. (Place them on the chopstick rest when you are

finished).

A general rule of thumb, when out if you’re not sure what to

do: follow what everyone else is doing.

INVITATION TO SOMEONE’S HOUSE

It is okay to arrive at your host’s house up to 30 minutes late

without informing them. (Though it’s always best to be on time).

Make sure to take your shoes off when you enter your host’s

house.

It is the custom to bring a gift. (see gift-giving slide)

Before you eat it is polite to say Jalmukesumneda (I will eat well)

and Masegaemugusuyo (I ate well) to show thanks.

T The next day you should send a thank you note to the host.

GIFT GIVING 1

This is actually an important part of Korean culture. It’s a pretty

safe bet to say that if you are going somewhere, it may be a good

idea to take a gift with you.

When receiving a gift, it is polite to refuse a couple of times first

before accepting.

You should always reciprocate a gift with something of equal

value – here it is important to add that you should avoid giving

expensive gifts.

Offer and receive gifts with both hands.

GIFT GIVING 2

Wrap gifts nicely, bright colours are preferred. Yellow, red or

green stripes are traditionally used to wrap gifts.

Recommended gifts are fruit, cakes, small mementos, liquor (for

men), flowers.

Do not under any circumstances give knives or scissors (this

symbolises cutting off a relationship), anything with red writing

(this symbolizes death), gifts in sets of four (this is considered

unlucky.) or expensive gifts (as the reciever will feel obligated to

give something of equal value back)

A FEW EXTRA THINGS

Never touch, or pat a Korean who isn’t a friend

or relative.

Try to avoid using such language like ‘fellow’,

‘guy’, ‘this man’ etc , such language is considered

demeaning.

When given a compliment don’t say ‘thank you’

try to be humble.

Don’t talk about politics.

And don’t talk about Korean culture/ customs/

etc to Koreans.

THANK YOU

I hope that helped you a little. ^^

Annyeong-hi ga-seyo