Customs and Habits in Seoul, South Korea: How to Act in a Foreign Environment

If you're a tourist traveling to Seoul for the first time, it's advisable to be aware of the prevalent customs beforehand. Just like other far eastern countries like China and Japan, Korean society is dictated by manners that mostly stem from their long-standing adherence to Confucianism. Though South Korea, most especially Seoul, has been adopting more modern ways of thinking in the past years, the customs and attitudes have at the core, remained the same.

Korean society is still patriarchal; some Koreans, especially the older ones, prefer sons to daughters, though this is beginning to change among the younger set. The percent of religious beliefs in the population are somewhat equally spread out among Christians, Buddhists and agnostics or atheists.

There is a prevailing culture of hard work and diligent studying. Children, while they remain in school, are expected to spend most of their waking hours studying. A typical study schedule for an elementary school student would typically begin at 8 AM and end at 11 PM. Pressure at home and high expectations may have led to high suicide rates among students in high school, as some surveys show.

In greeting each other, Koreans normally bow to one another. Usually this does not apply to foreigners (not unless you are working there as a teacher, so expect students to bow to you - and if they don't it is a serious affront), so it is acceptable to present a handshake when meeting someone for the first time. You may notice that younger people will use both hands to pick something up or take something from your hand. You may consider doing this for older Koreans.

At the dinner table, Koreans habitually use chopsticks of steel and a spoon. The latter is used to eat the rice, though if you find the chopsticks impossible to deal with, there is no problem with requesting for a spoon and fork. Never stick your chopsticks down into your bowl, as this is how Koreans present food to their dead ancestors. When eating outside, it is customary to expect the eldest Korean to pay for the food. If you are younger than your Korean companion, never offer to pay for the meal, as this comes off as quite rude.