What Cultural Etiquette Should You Be Aware of When Visiting Seoul?

Visiting Seoul? Excellent choice. You’ll find more neon lights than a Las Vegas nightscape and enough Korean BBQ to clog your arteries twice over. But to navigate the city without stepping on toes—or being scolded by an elderly auntie on the subway—you’ll want to brush up on local etiquette. Here’s your crash course, sprinkled with my usual sarcasm and a few indispensable tips.

1. Respect for Elders: The Age Game

In Korea, age is more than just a number—it dictates how you address someone and who starts eating first (we’ll get to that). If you’re on public transport and see someone older standing, offer them your seat. It’s common courtesy, and you’ll avoid that piercing ajumma glare you can practically feel in your soul.

• Wait for Elders: Don’t shovel food into your mouth before your oldest dining mate has lifted a spoon.
• Watch Those Chopsticks: Traditionally, sticking chopsticks upright in rice is frowned upon. Younger folks might shrug it off, but older Koreans may cringe. Want to keep the peace? Lay ‘em down on the rest, not upright in your bibimbap.
• Rubbing Bamboo Chopsticks: Most of the time, you’ll get the challenging metal chopsticks. In cases where you get bamboo chopsticks, refrain from that weird habit some people do of rubbing them together after removing them from their paper sleeve. That’s implying that the restaurant has given you inferior chopsticks.
• Watch Your Rice: Even though we share a lot at the Korean table, your rice is yours. Do not let your rice mingle with the soup and side dishes you’re all sharing from.
• More informal than you think: That all said, Korea ain’t Japan. We’re not all obsessed with table etiquette. You can eat any dish in any order. You can assemble your lettuce wrap however you want. It’s all about having fun and socializing.

3. Public Behavior: Subway Sermons and Street Snacking

• Quiet on Public Transport: Subways in Seoul can be busy, but they’re not always loud. Keep your phone calls discreet, and refrain from talking to your friends loudly. You may see an elderly person loudly proclaiming into their wallet-style phones, but they get a pass.
• Street Eating: Nibbling while walking isn’t as big a faux pas as it used to be. But devouring a two-tiered birthday cake as you stroll down Hongdae? That might raise some eyebrows.

4. Shoes Off Indoors: Larry David’s Worst Nightmare

In many Korean homes and certain restaurants, shoes come off at the door. If you’re the kind of person who’s paranoid about mismatched socks or feet that might spark a tirade from Larry David, carry a spare pair. But fear not—everyone else is also showing off their socks, so you’re in good company.

5. Drinking Culture: How to Pace Yourself

• When the Glass Runs Dry: An empty soju glass is a flashing neon sign that screams, “Refill me!” If you’d rather not keep chugging, leave a sip in your glass. No glass should be empty while others are full—especially in the presence of elders.
• Respectful Drinking: If someone older pours you a drink, accept with both hands. Turn slightly away when you sip if they’re sitting right next to you. They’ll appreciate the gesture, and you’ll look like you’ve been here before.

6. Business Cards: The Old-School Calling Card Still Matters

Sure, the world’s gone digital, but Korea loves a good face-to-face exchange of business cards. Bring a stack—don’t just rely on your phone’s QR code. In meetings with multiple people, lay the cards out in front of you in the order of hierarchy (the big boss’s card at the top), so you remember who’s who. It’s respectful and doubles as a cheat sheet for names and positions.

7. Tipping: When to Drop the Cash

Traditionally, tipping isn’t a thing in Korea—most locals will try to hand your money right back if you leave extra on the table. That said:

• Tip Jars: If you see one on the counter at a coffee shop or a food stall, go for it.
• Tour Guides & Services: Guides typically won’t refuse a tip. If you had a great experience, showing some monetary appreciation won’t cause an international incident, though it’s also not expected.

8. Temple Etiquette: Dress Modestly, Speak Softly

Seoul’s temples can be tranquil escapes from the city’s mania. Dress to cover shoulders and knees, keep your voice low, and check if photos are allowed—monks aren’t your personal TikTok content. Acting respectfully here is a simple courtesy, and you might just find some genuine peace (or an excellent meditative Instagram shot).

9. Taboos & Quirks: Red Ink, Hand Gestures, and More

• Red Ink: Don’t write someone’s name in red; it’s traditionally used for the deceased.
• Beckoning: Call someone over with your palm down, not up. Think “gentle wave,” not “come here, kitty.”
• Head Patting: Not common, especially if the person is older. Resist the urge to ruffle hair like a puppy.

Final Thoughts

The rules might seem like a lot, but most Koreans won’t tear their hair out if you slip up. A little effort—like offering your seat to an elder or handing over a business card respectfully—can go a long way in showing you care about local culture. Remember: keep your glass partially full to avoid that endless soju train, and pop your shoes off at the door if the venue requires it (just pray your socks pass the Larry David sniff test).

Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll blend into Seoul’s energy without creating an “I-wish-I’d-known” moment. Safe travels, enjoy the neon nights and sizzling BBQ, and bow just enough to score that extra bit of local respect!