Etiquette in South Korea

Everyday customs that visitors and newcomers often find useful in South Korea.

• Greeting A slight bow with a handshake is common. Age and seniority matter, so greet elders first.
• Dining Receive drinks and dishes with both hands. Wait for the eldest to start eating. Pour for others, not yourself.
• Home Take off shoes when entering a home or many restaurants with floor seating.
• Talk Names are given family name first. Using a title with the name is polite.
• Public Tipping is not expected. Giving up seats on the subway to older people is the norm.

These are general customs, not rules or legal advice. They differ between regions, generations and families, and they change over time. For visas, residency and legal requirements always use the destination country's official government sources.

Culture and heritage in South Korea · See South Korea on the map