Asia Expats Forum

Mike · Site Admin Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 4512 Location:

Do feel free to enter Buddhist temples even if a service is under way. Enter through a side door, leave your shoes by the door and sit down at the side of the hall. Don't sit or stand directly in front of the main Buddha image.

Don't expect apologies when shoved, bumped and jostled in the street. It may be disconcerting to visitors, but Koreans view collisions as an unavoidable consequence of living in a densely populated country.

Do use both hands when giving something to a Korean (especially elderly Koreans or authorities).

Do be prepared to use chopsticks - forks will be hard to come by outside of Seoul, though spoons are used to eat rice.

Do pour drinks for others and allow them to pour for you - it's somewhat impolite to pour your own drink.

Don't forget to remove shoes prior to entering private homes, Korea House (in Seoul) or even your own hotel room if you're staying in a traditional lodging. It's not a bad idea to wear loafers your entire stay.

Do keep currency-exchange receipts to change money back when leaving.

Do plan on being either the guest or the host if dining with a Korean - Dutch treat isn't appropriate. Usually the eldest person buys.

Don't leave your camera, candy bars or anything else that's heat-sensitive on the floor if you're staying in traditional housing or hotels with floor heating during the fall, winter or early spring. Koreans heat their buildings via pipes embedded in the concrete floor.

Don't blow your nose in public - Koreans find it disgusting. If the need arises, slip off to the restroom or find another private spot.

Do be cautious if what you're eating is covered with bits of green peppers. Some of the peppers are so hot they make jalapenos seem like cucumbers.

Don't try to wear shorts, jeans or sandals when visiting Panmunjeom - you will be barred from joining the tour. "Unkempt or shaggy hair" is also forbidden. And when you are at Freedom Pavilion, don't wave at, point to or attempt to communicate in any way with North Korean border guards.

Don't write a Korean's name in red ink. This indicates that the person is deceased.
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fishead · Cohort Joined: 19 Jan 2005 Posts: 321 Location:

Here are ways in which you fit into Korean culture

If you're a man you need to spit regulary at least once every ten to twenty seconds.

Waiting in long lineups is a waste of time and totaly not neccesary.
When you can save time by going to the front of the line and budding in.

If you're too drunk and staggering on the street and start feeling a little sick. Don't bother looking for a toilet simply puke on the sidewalk.

If you're talking on a cell phone its not neccesary to watch where your going. Because you won't have to apologise to the person you've bumped into.

Remember this!!!! All foreigners are Americans and All Americans are in the military. And all racial stereotypes are 100 % correct.

If you're in a bar its important to talk loadly so no one else can hear their own conversation.

Feeling up the bar hostess is very important any man who doesn't do this must be gay.

If your taking an English lesson with a foreigner you must not turn your cell phone off. You want others in your class to hear the music you selected for the ring
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Mike · Site Admin Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 4512 Location:

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21yearsinthai · Cohort Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 315 Location:

Most of thsoe you could apply to thailand as well.
Thais don't really spit and they don't think we are military they do belive however that money falls from the sky into our bank accounts. Evil or Very Mad

Ernaya · Joined: 02 Feb 2005 Posts: 17 Location:

Is the part about spitting is true????

21yearsinthai · Cohort Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 315 Location:

Thais don't spit--they drool Very Happy

Ernaya · Joined: 02 Feb 2005 Posts: 17 Location:

I guess you need to learn how to drool -- the Thai way, that is Very Happy

eslHQ · Novice Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 28 Location:

One more I didn't see mentioned. Don't stand your chopsticks up in your rice bowl. It's a symbol of death.
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Sasquatch Pilaf · Cohort Joined: 02 Apr 2005 Posts: 220 Location:

I've always found it odd that blowing your nose was inappropriate when you can hear and see at least one person discharging the contents of their lungs onto the sidewalk or sometimes my shoe at any given time.

Spitting into ashtrays is another lovely one. Well they sort of let it drool out of their mouths in this case.

Mike · Site Admin Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 4512 Location:

What about toothpick use?

many restaurants in Thailand dont have toothpicks anymore. Is Korea toothpick friendly?
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eslHQ · Novice Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 28 Location:

I would guess, per capita, Korea is one of the largest users of toothpicks. they are everywhere and there's always a mirror at restaurant doors so you can take a closer look.
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Pinky · Plebian Joined: 27 Mar 2005 Posts: 95 Location:

Mike · Site Admin Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 4512 Location:

i thought was due to the old follklore story about the korean who stood up, and then acidentally gorged himself with the upright chopsticks. Dying instantly
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eslHQ · Novice Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 28 Location:

i actually heard it was s sign of death but i could be mistaken.
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fishead · Cohort Joined: 19 Jan 2005 Posts: 321 Location:

Another few I'd like to mention

If your a Korean man in a bar its Ok to scream at the top of your lungs. Its quite different if your a foreigner you should speak very quietly.

If you're in a restaraunt its Ok to let your children run riot and disturb all the other customers.

Kissing in public is frowned upon. You should do that in a P.C bang. Some of the video rental shops have private rooms for viewing the movies. These places are good for getting a quick feel from your date who has to be home by ten.

Its perfectly acceptable for a married man to sqaunder a months salary so he can eat fruit with an attractive lady at a room salon.

Please try to understand our situation or When in Rome do as Romans do. Is commonly used by your director when he wants to bend some of the conditions in your contract.
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You've got another five seconds say something really outragious
Bill Grundy