Teaching East Asia: Korea Teaching East Asia: Korea | Page 283

Comments on Student Papers:
15. In Korea one should not write any living person’s name in red ink. If you do, it
means they are dead. Also, you should not wrap a gift in red paper.
Some Dining Rules:
16. When visiting a Korean home, always remove you shoes. Bare feet can be offensive,
so it is best to wear socks or stockings. Some homes will offer slippers.
17. Always let your host select where you are to sit. The seat of honor is the seat looking
at the front door.
18. It is considered polite to wait for the eldest person at the table to begin eating before
everyone else starts. Likewise, one does not leave the table before the eldest person
finishes.
19. When eating, there are certain table manners. When drinking, offer to pour for the
others at the table, starting with the eldest member of the party. To show respect, both
hands should be used when pouring and when accepting. Koreans do not self-serve.
20. Never blow your nose at the table, only in the bathroom. If your nose is running from
eating spicy kimchi, simply wipe your nose with tissue.
21. When sitting on the floor, keep your legs bent, not stretched towards adults.
22. It is the custom of the hostess to encourage guests to eat more. Usually since there is
too much food, no one expects the guests to eat it all. If you decline a couple of times the
hostess will not ask you again.
23. When done eating, leaving chopsticks and spoon on the table not in the bowl.
24. Paying: The rule is simple. The person who suggests going out pays. It is impolite
to go Dutch treat; however, it is polite customary for people to argue over who pays.
25. If you make a mistake, Koreans are very forgiving. They are always very pleased
when you show interest in their culture.
Connor, Mary E. The Koreas: Asia in Focus. Santa Barbara: CA. ABC-CLIO, 2009.
Hur, Sonja Vegdahl and Ben Seunghwa Hur. Culture Shock! Korea: A Guide to Customs
and Etiquette. Portland, OR. Graphic Arts Center Publishing Co., 1997.
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