Hands, Giving & Receiving
The single most common etiquette mistake foreigners make in Korea is receiving something — a business card, a gift, change from a cashier, a drink — with just one hand. In Korean culture, you should receive (and give) objects with both hands, or with your right hand supported by your left hand touching your right forearm. Using one hand, especially the left, can come across as dismissive or disrespectful, particularly with someone older.
This applies to handing over your credit card, accepting a menu, receiving a shopping bag, and pouring or receiving a drink. Once you start noticing it, you will see Koreans doing this constantly in daily life. It is one of the easiest adjustments to make and the one that earns you the most goodwill.
When in doubt, use both hands. It applies to almost every exchange — money, cards, gifts, food, drinks, and documents.
Shoes, Homes & Indoor Spaces
Always remove your shoes before entering a Korean home. This is non-negotiable and one of the fastest ways to offend a host. Korean homes have a distinct entryway (현관, hyeon-gwan) where shoes come off, and the floor inside is considered clean living space — Koreans sit, eat, and sleep on heated floors (ondol).
The shoe rule also applies to many traditional restaurants, some guesthouses, temple stays, and certain fitting rooms. If you see shoes lined up at an entrance or a slightly raised floor, take yours off. Slippers are usually provided for indoor use, and separate toilet slippers are provided for the bathroom.
Wearing outdoor shoes on a Korean ondol floor is one of the most disrespectful things you can do in someone's home. Always check for shoes at the door.
Drinking & Dining Etiquette
Korean drinking culture has specific rules rooted in Confucian hierarchy. Never pour your own drink — someone else at the table should pour for you, and you should pour for others. When someone older pours you a drink, receive the glass with both hands. When drinking in the presence of an elder, turn your head slightly to the side as a sign of respect.
At the dining table, do not start eating before the eldest person at the table. Do not stick your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice — this resembles funeral incense and is considered very bad luck. Do not blow your nose at the table; excuse yourself and step away. These rules are taken seriously, especially in more traditional settings or with older Koreans.
- Never pour your own drink — let others pour for you.
- Receive drinks from elders with both hands.
- Turn your head away when drinking near someone older.
- Do not start eating before the eldest person.
- Never stick chopsticks upright in rice.
- Do not blow your nose at the dining table.
These rules are most strictly observed with older Koreans and in formal settings. Among young friends at a casual dinner, the atmosphere is much more relaxed.
Other Taboos to Know
Writing a living person's name in red ink is a serious taboo. In Korean tradition, red ink is used to write the names of the deceased. If you write a Korean friend's name in red pen, it can be genuinely upsetting — use any other color.
Physical contact varies by context. Koreans of the same gender are often physically affectionate — friends linking arms or holding hands is normal. But public displays of affection between couples (kissing, hugging) are considered inappropriate, especially around older people. Avoid touching someone's head, and do not point at people with your finger — use your whole hand, palm up.
- Never write a person's name in red ink.
- Avoid loud, boisterous behavior on public transport.
- Do not talk on the phone on the subway (text instead).
- Do not point at people with a single finger.
- Avoid sitting in priority seats on the subway unless you are elderly, pregnant, or disabled.
- Do not tip — it can be confusing rather than flattering.
Most Koreans are forgiving of foreigners who make small mistakes. A quick "죄송합니다" (joesonghamnida, "I'm sorry") goes a long way if you accidentally break a rule.
Hands, Giving & Receiving
The single most common etiquette mistake foreigners make in Korea is receiving something — a business card, a gift, change from a cashier, a drink — with just one hand. In Korean culture, you should receive (and give) objects with both hands, or with your right hand supported by your left hand touching your right forearm. Using one hand, especially the left, can come across as dismissive or disrespectful, particularly with someone older.
This applies to handing over your credit card, accepting a menu, receiving a shopping bag, and pouring or receiving a drink. Once you start noticing it, you will see Koreans doing this constantly in daily life. It is one of the easiest adjustments to make and the one that earns you the most goodwill.
When in doubt, use both hands. It applies to almost every exchange — money, cards, gifts, food, drinks, and documents.
Shoes, Homes & Indoor Spaces
Always remove your shoes before entering a Korean home. This is non-negotiable and one of the fastest ways to offend a host. Korean homes have a distinct entryway (현관, hyeon-gwan) where shoes come off, and the floor inside is considered clean living space — Koreans sit, eat, and sleep on heated floors (ondol).
The shoe rule also applies to many traditional restaurants, some guesthouses, temple stays, and certain fitting rooms. If you see shoes lined up at an entrance or a slightly raised floor, take yours off. Slippers are usually provided for indoor use, and separate toilet slippers are provided for the bathroom.
Wearing outdoor shoes on a Korean ondol floor is one of the most disrespectful things you can do in someone's home. Always check for shoes at the door.
Drinking & Dining Etiquette
Korean drinking culture has specific rules rooted in Confucian hierarchy. Never pour your own drink — someone else at the table should pour for you, and you should pour for others. When someone older pours you a drink, receive the glass with both hands. When drinking in the presence of an elder, turn your head slightly to the side as a sign of respect.
At the dining table, do not start eating before the eldest person at the table. Do not stick your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice — this resembles funeral incense and is considered very bad luck. Do not blow your nose at the table; excuse yourself and step away. These rules are taken seriously, especially in more traditional settings or with older Koreans.
- Never pour your own drink — let others pour for you.
- Receive drinks from elders with both hands.
- Turn your head away when drinking near someone older.
- Do not start eating before the eldest person.
- Never stick chopsticks upright in rice.
- Do not blow your nose at the dining table.
These rules are most strictly observed with older Koreans and in formal settings. Among young friends at a casual dinner, the atmosphere is much more relaxed.
Other Taboos to Know
Writing a living person's name in red ink is a serious taboo. In Korean tradition, red ink is used to write the names of the deceased. If you write a Korean friend's name in red pen, it can be genuinely upsetting — use any other color.
Physical contact varies by context. Koreans of the same gender are often physically affectionate — friends linking arms or holding hands is normal. But public displays of affection between couples (kissing, hugging) are considered inappropriate, especially around older people. Avoid touching someone's head, and do not point at people with your finger — use your whole hand, palm up.
- Never write a person's name in red ink.
- Avoid loud, boisterous behavior on public transport.
- Do not talk on the phone on the subway (text instead).
- Do not point at people with a single finger.
- Avoid sitting in priority seats on the subway unless you are elderly, pregnant, or disabled.
- Do not tip — it can be confusing rather than flattering.
Most Koreans are forgiving of foreigners who make small mistakes. A quick "죄송합니다" (joesonghamnida, "I'm sorry") goes a long way if you accidentally break a rule.