Korean Culture & Language

**Taken from Seoul Survivor 2016-2017**

South Korea’s population shares a common ethnic and cultural heritage. More than Western people, South Korean individuals tend to view themselves as a tightly knit national community with a common destiny. Intense feelings of nationalism, so evident in athletic events like the 1988 Olympic Games held in Seoul, the World Cup soccer games of 2002, and the upcoming Winter Olympics in 2018 reveal a sense of pride concerning South Korea’s place in the world. This section highlights important traditions, cultural attitudes, and etiquette. Your awareness of these factors will greatly reward you as you meet and interact with new Korean friends.

Korean Non-Verbal Behavior and Etiquette

Customs and attitudes are different in Asia than those of Western countries. Korea has its own set of courtesies. If you take the time to learn and observe them, the rewards are significant. Meeting and Greeting The traditional bow has given way to the handshake, but friendly backslaps or arm squeezing is considered rude here. Koreans meeting for the first time introduce themselves only at the invitation of a third party. The formal ritual of introduction is similar to this: The person who knows everyone in the group invites his friends to introduce themselves. One says, “I am seeing you for the first time.” The other repeats the same sentence, and the elder one suggests that they introduce themselves. The introductions and formal bows are followed by an exchange of calling/business cards. These cards are very important in Korea. They give an opportunity for each person to discover the other’s position without rudely inquiring about them. Cards also do away with the need of asking someone’s name twice. As a sign of respect, when someone presents you with a business card, take a moment to read it before putting it away.

The proper use of names in Korea is also important. A person’s name is considered his or her personal property. Koreans regard their name with reverence. The persistent wave of Westernization has accustomed Koreans to being addressed by their family name, but only intimate friends and family greet each other on a first-name basis. Koreans prefer titles rather than names. For example, you would call the company president “Sa-jang-nim” or someone with a PhD “Baksa.” Teacher or “Sun-saeng-nim” is an acceptable title for anyone.

Try to remember that no matter how “Western” many Koreans may appear on the surface, their thinking is still governed by traditions, which are based on a culture several thousands of years old. The following list covers some important traditions relating to etiquette:

• Looking into an acquaintance’s eyes was generally considered impolite. Though this is not necessarily true today, older Koreans may find direct eye contact offensive.
• Use your right hand when performing tasks such as presenting gifts, paying a bill, or pouring a drink. Your left hand should loosely cup your forearm. The closer your left hand is to your wrist the less respect is being given, while your left hand cupping your forearm near your elbow would show greater respect. Using the left hand for these tasks is considered very impolite; most Koreans do understand that the Western custom is different.
• Do not point the index finger toward a person or gesture with your foot, it is considered insulting. You may gesture with your full hand, palm upward.
• Do not write someone’s name in red ink (e.g., endorse checks, sign letters, etc.). A name written in red means death.
• If invited to dine at someone’s home, bring a gift. When presenting the gift, use proper etiquette.
• Take your shoes off when entering a Korean house or restaurant with low tables.
• Do not start eating before your guest of honor or senior.
• Do not say, “I don’t drink” when offered unwanted alcoholic beverages. It is more polite to say, “I’m not feeling very well today,” “I am a designated driver,” or “I’m on medication.”
• Do not eat or drink without offering food or beverage to your colleagues.
• Ask your Korean guest more than once to help himself to more food and drink.
• Do not pour your own drink; pour for someone and let him reciprocate.
• Try to wear conservative clothes. Bare shoulders are considered inappropriate.
• See your guest off at the gate/door, and stay there until your guest is gone.
• “Yes” is often used simply to acknowledge what is said by one’s counterpart; it does not necessarily mean one is in agreement or understanding.
• Do not suggest splitting the bill; each person or family should alternate paying the bill. Remember when it is your turn to pay.
• You may often see two male friends or two female friends walking affectionately arm-in-arm. This is in no way an indication of their sexual preference.
• Koreans love children and in this culture, children are treated as “everyone’s treasures” to cherish and protect. Koreans will often want to touch and hold your children; blondes and redheads are rare in Korea, and often attract the most attention. If your children are uncomfortable with this, remove yourselves from the situation as politely as possible. A simple “no, thank you” usually will suffice.

Useful Korean Phrases

Many Koreans, especially in Seoul, do speak some English as it has been taught in Korean schools in more recent times. The mainly testing-oriented educational system means that many Koreans have memorized a lot of English grammar and vocabulary, but feel quite shy about their conversational skills. Learning some of the following Korean phrases may assist you during your time in Korea.

Greetings

• Good morning/afternoon/evening ---------- Ahn-nyong ha-say-yo
• Hello (on the telephone) ---------- Yo-bo-say-yo
• May I have your name? ---------- Ee-ru-mee moo ot shim nee ka?
• I’m glad to meet you ---------- Mahn-nah-suh bahn-gah-wuh-yo
• Good-bye (by Host) ---------- Ahn-nyong-hee kah-say-yo
• Good-bye (by Guest) ---------- Ahn-nyong-hee kay-say-yo

Shopping

• How much does it cost? ---------- Ol-mah yeh-yo?
• Do you have? ---------- It-suh yo?
• Show me another one ---------- Darun-gut johm bo-yuh-ju-say-yo
• It is expensive ---------- Bee-sah-yo
• Can you reduce the price? ---------- Chom sah-keh-heh ju-say-yo
• I’ll take this ---------- Egut ju-say-yo
• It’s too big ---------- Noh-moo kuh-yo
• It’s too little ---------- Jjug-uh-yo

Dining

• It is very delicious ---------- Ah-ju mah-sheet-so-yo
• It is hot (spicy) ---------- Mae-wo-yo
• I would like a glass of cold water ---------- Mool ju-say-yo
• I would like a bottle of beer ---------- Mack-ju hahn-byong ju say yo
• Please give me… ---------- Ju-say-yo
  • …an English menu ---------- Yong-oh menu
  • …the bill ---------- Keh-sahn-suh

Conversation

• Do you speak English? ---------- Young-oh hahm-nee-ka?
• Where is… ---------- O-dee itsum nee-ka?
  • …the police station? ---------- Kyong-chal-suh
  • …the restroom? ---------- Hwa-Jahng-shil
• Yes ---------- Yeh (or Nay)
• No ---------- Ah-ni-yo
• Thank you ---------- Kam-sah ham-nee-dah
• You are welcome ---------- Chon-manh-neh-yo
• I am sorry ---------- Mee-ahn hahm-nee-dah
• Come here ---------- Ee-ree o-say-yo
• Please help me ---------- Jom, dough-wah ju-say-yo
• Call a policeman (an MP)… ---------- Kyung-chal (huhn-byung)
  • …for me please ---------- bul-luh ju-say-yo
• Call this number for me ---------- Ee bon-ho-ro jon-hwa jom, heh-ju-say-yo

Taking a Taxi

• Please take me to the nearest US military installation ---------- Kah-kah-woon mee-goon boo-dae-ka ju say yo
• Stop here ---------- Yo-gee se-wo ju-say-yo
• What is this place called? ---------- Yo-gee-gah-aw-deem-nee-ka?
• How much is the fare? ---------- Ol-mah eem-nee-ka?
• Please take me to… ---------- Kab-she-dah
  • …Itaewon shopping area ---------- Itaewon she-jahng
  • …South Gate Market ---------- Nam-dae-moon she-jahng
  • …East Gate Market ---------- Dong-dae-mun she-jahng

When Traveling

• Give me one ticket to… ---------- Hahn-jahng ju-say-yo
• Western-style room ---------- Cheem-dae bahng
• Toilet ---------- Hwa-jahng-shill
• Parking lot ---------- Ju-cha-jahng
• Reservation ---------- Yay-yahk

Calendar

• Monday ---------- Wol-yo-il
• Tuesday ---------- Hwa-yo-il
• Wednesday Soo-yo-il
• Thursday ---------- Mok-yo-il
• Friday ---------- Kum-yo-il
• Saturday ---------- To-yo-il
• Sunday ---------- Il-yo-il
• January ---------- Il-wahl
• February ---------- Ee-wahl
• March ---------- Sahm-wahl
• April ---------- Sah-wahl
• May ---------- Oh-wahl
• June ---------- Yu-wahl
• July ---------- Cheel-wahl
• August ---------- Pahl-wahl
• September ---------- Guu-wahl
• October ---------- She-wahl
• November ---------- Shib-il-wahl
• December ---------- Shib-ee-wahl

NUMBERS

Chinese numbers are often used when counting sequentially. This includes money, telephone numbers, dates, mileage, etc. When shopping, listen for the Chinese numbers, particularly for the endings, which mean hundred, thousand, and ten thousand. Notice that Korean numbers go as far as 99. Beyond 100, Chinese numbers are used. When counting how many people, use Korean numbers. Sometimes in the smaller restaurants the prices will be written in the Chinese figures, usually from top to bottom. The following chart offers a brief glimpse of some of the differences in the two systems: