Dos and Don’ts in Korea: Etiquettes Guide for First-Time Visitors

Worried you might offend someone on your first trip to South Korea? I’ve got you covered!

Some unspoken Korean social norms, like taking your shoes off indoors, are more expected and common across Asia. Others, like covering a bottle label when pouring drinks for elders, or waiting until they take their first bite, can catch foreigners totally off guard.

As a repeated visitor to Korea (18 times since 2006), I’m here to walk you through the most important dos and don’ts in Korean culture you should know as a first-time traveler, so you don’t learn the hard way like most people do.

After all, you can’t follow rules nobody tells you about.

Dos and Don’ts in Korean Culture

I didn’t suddenly want to write about what to do or not to do in Korea. I first put together a cultural overview with tips for travelers, then I realized that I’d left out a handful of specific dos and don’ts.

Korean culture really is quite tricky. I haven’t thought about most of these points in years because I’ve gotten so used to them. But what you’re about to read is everything I could think of on Korean social etiquette.

Let’s look at what you should and shouldn’t do when in South Korea!

What to DO in Korea

Let’s start with the kind of things that get Korean elders wanting to adopt you if you do.

Take Off Your Shoes Indoors

I think, at this point, it’s quite safe to say, “When in Asia, take off your shoes.” South Korea is no different.

Always take off your shoes at the door when entering a residential unit, whether it’s someone’s home or the Airbnb you’re staying in. Take them off when dining at more traditional restaurants where guests sit on the floor, too.

Bow to Greet Others

Koreans greet each other by bowing to show respect. The deeper the bow, the higher the respect.

In everyday situations, like in restaurants, malls, or other establishments, it’s completely normal to slightly nod your head forward when greeting the staff.

However, if you find yourself in more official settings, you’ll see Korean workers bowing deeply to greet their superiors at work.

Use Both Hands When Greeting, Giving, or Receiving

Unlike what you’ll find in a lot of articles out there, Koreans DO shake hands! It’s just a little different from what we’re used to seeing in Western cultures.

The most important tip to remember is to use both hands. Using one hand for the shake is normal for someone higher in rank and status. But if you’re shaking hands with someone superior or older, using one hand will carry a feeling of disrespect.

So to err on the safe side, always use both hands, with your left hand supporting your right wrist. Bow your head ever so slightly as you do it!

The same applies when you give or receive anything from an older person or a superior.

Pour Drinks for Others First

When out drinking with friends, family, or co-workers, always pour the drinks for other people before yourself. If things go the way they’re supposed to, you shouldn’t have to pour your own at all!

The younger people will usually offer to pour drinks for someone older. So after you’ve poured for others, just wait for that moment.

Sometimes, an older person will offer to pour your drink for you. This is usually a sign of friendship and acceptance, so don’t refuse.

If you have a serious reason why you can’t drink alcohol (religion or health, or otherwise), politely explain it.

Ask About Someone’s Age… Not Explicitly

Unlike in Western cultures, asking for someone’s age is not rude in Korea. In fact, it is quite necessary.

Due to the many ways you have to treat someone according to their rank or age in relation to yours, the locals will ask for your age unless you clearly look younger or older. They won’t explicitly ask, though. Here’s what you might hear:

• “Oh, but I’m not sure which of us is older…”
• “You look so young! I’m sure I’m older than you.”

When you hear phrases like these, know that the unspoken expectation is for you to say your age, so they can say theirs and settle the seniority debate. If you speak Korean, you can also initiate with similar phrases.

Keep Your Voice Down on Public Transportation

When on the bus or the metro, you’ll notice that nobody talks. Everyone’s either watching something on their phone, texting, or asleep. Embracing silence on public transportation is important if you want to blend in.

If you have something to tell your friend that absolutely cannot wait, whisper.

What NOT to Do in Korea

While no one’s gonna come and arrest you if you do these things, weird or dagger stares may be unavoidable… some more intense than others.

Don’t Interrupt People While They Speak

Cutting someone off before they finish their sentence is rude in any culture, but it can be considered extra offensive in Korean culture. Why?

In their language, the most important parts of the message are packed into the last few syllables. This includes grammatical tense, mood, and negation.

Is this future or past tense? Are they making a request, or are they refusing something I offered? This means you won’t know what someone is saying at all until they’re done talking.

The next time you watch a K-Drama, notice how the characters never talk over each other, even when arguing, not by one syllable. How can you respond to a message you don’t understand yet, right? You can’t!

So while in the West, cutting someone off might mean, “I know EXACTLY what you’re talking about!” or “Oh my god this is exciting!” or “I get your point, but hear me out…”

In Korea, cutting someone off simply means, “Forget what you have to say. I don’t care.”

Yikes…

Don’t Stick Your Silverware Straight Up in Rice

In rice, specifically. If you need a break from your bowl of rice to check an important message or go to the bathroom, lay your chopsticks on top of the bowl.

The only time Koreans stick the chopsticks straight into rice and leave them standing vertically is when rice is offered to the deceased. Yep… At funeral ceremonies or during memorial services.

Don’t Eat Before Elders Start

Knowing other people’s age comes into play again… At a Korean dining table, everyone starts eating in the order of their age, starting with the oldest to the youngest.

Don’t pick up your utensils until the oldest folks have taken the first bite of their food.

Don’t Blow Your Nose at the Table

Not even with your face turned away from the table, unfortunately. The sound of blowing your nose is considered unpleasant and will earn you a few weird stares.

Instead, excuse yourself and go take care of it in the bathroom, then return to the table.

Don’t Sit in Priority Seats on Public Transit

When on packed public transportation, that is always the danger zone, isn’t it? Should you go sit in the priority seat until an elderly or a pregnant woman comes on?

In Korea, it doesn’t matter how long the seat has been open. It also doesn’t matter that you’re squished against the door. The priority seat stays open!

Don’t Write Someone’s Name in Red Ink

Even if that person is yourself.

You’ll find multiple stories circulating about why you can’t write someone’s name in red ink in Korean culture. Sometimes it says the locals write dead people’s names in red ink because evil spirits are scared of red.

Although I’m not sure either how much the spirits hate red ink… This certain superstition seems to have come from the ancient shamanistic rituals, where only execution decrees were written in red.

Today, writing someone’s name in red ink means you wish that person bad luck or even death.

Planning Resources for Seoul

I highly recommend basing yourself in G3 Chungmuro, where you’re close to 2 main metro lines. Otherwise, you can read about the neighborhoods of Seoul and decide where else you wanna base yourself.

Below are some of the top attractions I don’t think anyone should miss. Feel free to pick and choose the ones you want if you’re limited on time. It happens. 😅

• Gyeongbokgung Palace
• Changdeokgung Palace
• Deoksugung Palace
• A Hanok Village (There are several of them, I can help you decide which one is best!)
• Seoul City Wall

Or browse for some inspiration with this list of unique day tours and experiences you can join.

Planning Resources for Busan

Busan is much bigger and more spread out than Seoul. Basing yourself in Seomyeon is the most central option, or you can see which other convenient areas fit your travel style best.

Foodie that I am, I also put together a list of regional dishes from Busan you shouldn’t miss. And here are immersive things to do in Busan that I thoroughly enjoyed.

I have guides for other smaller cities, too. You can find them on the South Korea Travel page!

More Helpful Travel Tips for South Korea

Most visa-free visitors to South Korea need a K-ETA in order to enter Korea. Check if you need one and apply about a week before you travel. This replaces the arrival form.

• Make sure you protect your trip with a travel insurance.
• Get this eSIM for local data without giving up your number.
• Must-have Apps: Papago AI Translator, Kakao Maps

Don’t forget to learn some important dos and don’ts in Korean culture, as well as some useful Korean phrases, before you arrive!

Grab My South Korea E-Checklist

To make sure you don’t leave anything important out of your preparations, I’ve made a digital checklist to help you get ready. I leave 2 pages blank for you to customize your own checklist, too!

📌 Pin this for later!

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