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Practical · Good manners
Etiquette and manners
Nobody expects a foreigner to know all the rules, and Koreans are very forgiving. But three or four simple gestures completely change how you are received.
Updated 7 October 2026
The idea behind the rules
Korean society is still shaped by Confucianism: you owe respect to those who are older, and the group comes before the individual. That is why you will sometimes be asked your age at the first meeting — it is not nosy, it is to know how to speak to you.
In practice this boils down to a single rule: be attentive to others, discreet in shared spaces, and a little more formal with older people.
The basic gestures
A slight bow of the upper body or head, with "annyeonghaseyo". Handshakes exist, mostly between men and in professional settings; cheek kisses do not.
With both hands, or with the right hand supported by the left at the wrist or elbow. This goes for a business card, a gift, money, a glass.
You take them off at the entrance of homes, hanok, temples, some traditional restaurants and fitting rooms. The signal: a step up and shoes lined up. Wear socks in good condition.
Palm down, waving the fingers. The palm-up gesture is reserved for animals.
"Gamsahamnida", with a small bow. Say it when leaving a restaurant or a taxi: the effect is immediate.
On public transport and in the street
Those at the end of each car are for elderly, disabled or pregnant passengers, and stay empty even at the height of rush hour. Pink seats are for pregnant women. Do not sit in them.
People speak softly on the subway and bus, do not take phone calls out loud, and do not eat.
People line up on either side of the subway doors and let passengers off before boarding.
Rare in the street. Hold on to your rubbish until the next convenience store or subway station — and sort it.
Only in marked areas. The pavements of many districts, bus stops and the surroundings of schools are off limits, on pain of a fine.
In a crowd people brush past without always apologising, especially older people. It is not rudeness, just a different sense of space.
At the table
You wait for the oldest person to take their first mouthful.
Never stuck in the rice. And you do not spear food with them.
You serve others before yourself, with both hands in front of an elder, and do not leave a neighbour's glass empty.
It is not split at the table to the last penny. Often one person treats and the other pays next time, or for the coffee afterwards.
All restaurant customs are explained separately.
In temples and palaces
By the side doors: the centre one is reserved for monks. Take your shoes off before stepping up into a hall.
Shoulders and knees covered, out of respect, even though nobody will refuse you entry.
Allowed in the courtyards; inside the halls only if nothing forbids it, without flash, and never facing worshippers at prayer.
People pray and monks live there. Speak softly, and do not touch the statues.
The classic faux pas
Writing a name in red
Red ink was used to write the names of the dead. Avoid it for a note or a card.
The number 4
It is pronounced like the word for "death". Some buildings replace the fourth floor with the letter F.
Refusing a drink too curtly
If you do not drink, simply say so and let your glass be filled with something else: it is the gesture that counts.
Comparing with Japan or China
The history is painful. Koreans are proud of their own culture; avoid presenting it as a variant of the neighbours'.
Tattoos
Better accepted than before, especially among the young, but some public baths and pools still refuse them.
Blowing your nose loudly
Do it away from others. Sniffing, on the other hand, bothers nobody.