Korean Etiquette
The Korean etiquette, affected by Confucian tradition, mainly values the respect for seniors, which is well reflected in most family rituals like wedding ceremonies and funerals. Although Koreans do not expect foreignres to observe these etiquette forms, those who demonstrate traditional Korean etiquette will be lauded by them. Although many Koreans are familiar with American habits and mannerisms, the traditional values are still strong.
It is considered a personal affront to touch another person unless that person is a relative or close personal friend. The only exception to this rule is that Koreans will touch children, not only Western children, to show their warm affection. This is a compliment to let the child know how cute he is. Koreans believe that direct eye contact during conversations show boldness, and out of politeness they concentrate on the conversation, usually avoiding eye-to-eye contact.
Young men walking in the street with their arms around each other's shoulders and women walking hand-in-hand means nothing more than intimacy. Touching close friends while talking to them is perfectly acceptable in Korea. Koreans will touch any children to show their warm affection. This is a compliment to let the child know how cute he is. Touching other people while passing is mostly understood unless you shove him offensively.
You should avoid writing a person's name in red. This indicates death because a deceased person's name is crossed off with red ink in the town register upon his death. However, a Korean name seal is always printed in red.
When passing a gift, or any object to someone, use both hands. The right hand is used to pass the object, while the left hand is used in support. If the person receiving the gift is older, the person offering the gift bows the head slightly as a sign of respect. Passing with one hand is acceptable if the person receiving the gift is younger or lower in stature. If you attend a wedding or funeral, it's customary to take a white envelope containing a sum of money. Handing cash to someone is considered rude except when paying a shopkeeper for merchandise.
Remove your shoes when entering a Korean home or temple. When putting shoes back on at a temple, never sit on the steps with your back to the area of worship.
Dinner in a traditional Korean home or restaurant is quite different from American-style dining. Guests traditionally sit on cushions around a low table. Many different foods are served, each cut into bite-sized pieces. Each person has his own bowl of rice, but helps himself to other foods directly from the serving dishes. Koreans traditionally use chopsticks and a large-bowled spoon, although today forks are also used.
During the meal, rest your chopsticks and spoon on top of a dish. When you have finished eating, lay the chopsticks or spoon on the table to indicate that you have completed the meal. Never stick chopsticks or spoons in a bowl of rice; this indicates a worship of the dead. Don't worry about reaching in front of others or asking for a dish to be passed.
Koreans shake hands like Westerners, but the traditional Korean greeting is to bow from the waist. As early as in ancient Egypt, bowing was a symbol of respect and an important religious gesture. European cultures have had a tradition of bowing as well. In Western cultures, only nobility or the aristocracy received a bow, but the tradition of is no longer commonplace in modern times. Traditional Korean culture emphasized the importance of an intricate greeting system. As early as in the Three Kingdoms period (57 B.C. until A.D. 669), Koreans used more than 100 gestures when greeting, each appropriate for a specific situation with respect to one's gender, location, degree of respect and seniority.
In modern times, however, bowing in Korea is a part of everyday life. It is sometimes nothing more than a little gesture to go along with a 'thank you' or 'excuse me.' To make a polite bow, simply lower your upper body by about 15 degrees as a sign of courtesy. You do not have to bow to your close friends, but it is never a bad idea to bow as you say hello to an elderly person.
When introduced to somebody formally for the first time, you should perform a deeper bow of about 30 degrees. Be warned, however, an exaggerated bow may make people feel uncomfortable. Some common situations when you might bow include when exchanging objects, when asking a question, when asking for a favor, and of course, when someone bows to you first.
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