Korean customs

1 Koreans uphold Confucianism and respect their elders. When the elders enter the house, everyone must stand up and ask them if they may live long. Take off your sunglasses when talking to elders. You must greet your parents when you get up in the morning and after meals; when your parents come back from an outing, their children must welcome them to their seats before eating. When riding in a car, give your seat to an older person. When eating, the meal should be served to the elderly or elders first. After the elderly move their chopsticks, others can eat. When riding in a car, give your seat to an older person.

2 The traditional etiquette for Koreans when meeting is to bow. When juniors or subordinates meet their elders or superiors while walking, they should bow, greet, and stand aside to let them go first to show respect. When men meet and greet each other, they bow and shake hands, either with both hands or with their left hand, and are limited to one nod. Bowing etiquette is generally not used among businessmen. When dealing with South Korean officials, you can usually shake hands or give a slight nod of the head. Men and women socialize separately in social groups and banquets, even at home or in restaurants.

3 Under normal circumstances in Korea, women do not shake hands with men, but nod or bow as common etiquette. Use honorifics and honorifics when addressing people, and rarely call each other directly by name. If the other party has a status and title in society, Koreans will definitely use it repeatedly. South Korea generally does not use handshakes as a courtesy when meeting. When shaking hands, use both hands or your right hand alone. When a junior or subordinate shakes hands with an elder or superior, after the latter extends his hand, the former must shake hands with his right hand first, and then gently place his left hand on top of the latter's right hand.

4. When elders are present, you are not allowed to smoke or wear sunglasses. Use both hands when accepting items and do not open gifts in person. Gift money should be given in a white gift bag, not a red one. When communicating with Koreans, you should avoid Korean domestic politics, relations with South Korea and North Korea, and relations with Japan. It is not appropriate to talk about the wife of the man of the house when talking to him.

5. When giving gifts to Koreans, you should note that Korean men like brand-name textiles, ties, lighters, electric shavers, etc. Women like cosmetics, bags, gloves, scarves, and kitchen spices. Children love food. If sending money, it should be placed in an envelope. Koreans receive gifts with both hands, but do not open them in front of guests. It is not appropriate to send foreign cigarettes to Korean friends. Wine is the best gift for Korean men, but you cannot give wine to women unless you make it clear that the wine is for her husband.

6. The Korean dining table is a small table with short legs, placed on the floor. During the meal, both the host and the guest should sit cross-legged on the floor. If you are in front of elders, you should kneel and sit on the soles of your feet. No matter who you are, you must not straighten or spread your legs. Otherwise, it will be considered impolite or insulting. You are not allowed to smoke in front of your superiors or elders, and you are not allowed to borrow or receive fire from them without obtaining permission. Don't make any noise while eating, let alone talk. Shoes should be taken off when entering a family home or Korean restaurant. Eating on the street and blowing your nose in front of others are considered rude. Photography is strictly restricted in South Korea. Military facilities, airports, reservoirs, subways, national museums, and entertainment venues are all prohibited. Photography in the air and in high-rise buildings is also prohibited.