10 Cultural Differences You Must Know Before Living in Korea
So, you’ve packed your bags, you’ve binged-watched enough K-Dramas to know what Soju is, and you are ready to start your new life in South Korea.
You might think you are prepared. But let me tell you, culture shock hits you when you least expect it. It’s not the big things (like the language) that trip you up; it’s the little things. It’s walking into a room with your shoes on and hearing a collective gasp of horror. It’s trying to tip a waiter and confusing them.
To help you blend in like a local (and avoid accidental social suicide), here are the 10 cultural differences you absolutely must know before you land at Incheon Airport.
1. The “Shoes Off” Rule is Non-Negotiable
In the West, taking your shoes off is polite. In Korea, it is law. Whether you are entering someone’s home, a temple, a school, or even certain traditional restaurants, you must remove your shoes. Walking on a Korean floor with dirty street shoes is seen as basically the ultimate sign of disrespect.
Pro Tip: Make sure your socks don’t have holes in them. You will be exposing your feet to the world a lot more than you think!
2. The “How Old Are You?” Question
In Western culture, asking someone’s age right after meeting them is rude. In Korea, it’s the first thing people ask. Don’t be offended! They aren’t judging your wrinkles. They need to know your age to determine how to speak to you. Korean language relies on hierarchy. If you are one year older, you get the “Hyung/Unnie” (older sibling) treatment. If you are younger, they can be more casual. It’s just social GPS.
3. Tipping is Not a Thing (Seriously)
Put your wallet away. Korea has a “No Tipping” culture. The price on the menu is the price you pay. If you leave cash on the table, the waiter will likely run after you on the street thinking you forgot your change. Service is included, and good service is just expected. Enjoy the savings!
4. The “Priority Seat” is Lava
You get on the subway. It’s crowded. But look! There is one empty seat at the end of the carriage. Do. Not. Sit. There. Those seats are strictly reserved for the elderly, pregnant women, and the disabled. Even if the train is empty, young people generally do not sit there out of respect (and fear of getting yelled at by a grandma). Just stand. It’s good for your calves.
5. Recycling is a Science Project
If you think recycling means “throwing plastic in the blue bin,” you are in for a shock. Korea has one of the strictest recycling systems in the world. You have to separate food waste (which goes in a special bag to be weighed), vinyl, clear plastic bottles (labels removed!), colored plastic, paper, and cans. If you mess this up, the security guard of your building will find you, and he will lecture you.
6. The “Safety Bubble” (Laptops in Cafes)
This is the best culture shock. In Korea, you can walk into a Starbucks, leave your $2,000 MacBook and your phone on the table, go to the bathroom for 10 minutes, and come back. It will still be there. CCTV is everywhere, and the culture of civic honesty is incredibly high. While you should still use common sense, the constant paranoia about theft that exists in Europe or the US simply doesn’t exist here.
7. Toilet Paper: To Flush or Not to Flush?
This is changing, but it’s still important. In modern buildings, you flush the toilet paper. However, in older buildings with weak plumbing, there will be a large bin next to the toilet filled with… used paper. If you see a sign that says “Do not flush,” believe it. You do not want to be the foreigner who clogged the toilet on your first day of work.
8. Sharing Food (The “Double Dip”)
Korea is a communal society, and this extends to food. At a restaurant, you will often get a giant boiling pot of stew (Jjigae) for the table. Traditionally, everyone puts their own spoon into the pot, eats, and goes back in. For germophobes, this can be terrifying. Nowadays, asking for a ladle (“Guk-ja”) is common, but don’t be shocked if your date dips their spoon into your shared soup. It’s a sign of closeness (Jeong).
9. Drinking Etiquette (Two Hands!)
If you go out for drinks with Koreans, never pour your own glass. It’s considered bad luck. You pour for others, and they pour for you. Also, when an elder (or boss) pours a drink for you, you must hold your glass with two hands as a sign of respect. When you drink it, turn your head slightly away from them. It’s a complex dance, but it will impress your Korean friends instantly.
10. Personal Space (The “Nudge”)
Seoul is a crowded city. People are used to being packed like sardines. If someone bumps into you on the street or nudges you on the subway, they usually won’t say “Sorry.” It’s not because they are rude; it’s just that bumping is an unavoidable fact of life in a megacity. Don’t take it personally; just keep moving!
Final Thoughts Living in Korea is an amazing adventure, but it comes with a learning curve. If you can master the shoe removal, the recycling, and the bowing, you’ll survive just fine. Welcome to Korea!