Smiling: As well as an expression of glee and humour, smiling can indicate that one is feeling ashamed or embarrassed in Korean culture. For example, a Korean may smile when they make a mistake. Sneezing: Sneezing is considered rude in Korea.
At bars, people easily start conversations with complete stranger. But Koreans don't say hi to, or even smile at, strangers passing by. If a Korean makes eye contact with a stranger and happen to say hi or give a smile, he/she would either just ignore, be confused, or have a look of “Do I know you?” on their face.
Touching, patting, or back slapping is to be avoided during interactions. In addition, direct eye contact between juniors and seniors should be avoided because it is seen as impolite or even a challenge. Korea is one of the most demographically homogeneous countries in the world, racially and linguistically.
Handshakes and bows are acceptable greetings, but greeting someone with close physical contact, such as hugging or grabbing hands or arms, is bad Korean etiquette. Hugging strangers is certainly bad manners in Korea and will most likely make the other person extremely uncomfortable, especially when in public.
It is not all that normal to use one thumb up to agree with what people say to you. South Koreans almost always see it as being rude. They believe that there is a proper way of doing things. Gesturing with two thumbs is seen as a sign of approval or saying a big yes to what people did right.
Avoid direct eye contact if you are scolded/rebuked by someone older or of a higher status than you. Some Koreans may also avoid eye contact with their superiors on a regular basis. Gestures: It is considered rude to make a fist with your hand while placing the thumb between the middle and index finger.
It is sometimes nothing more than a little gesture to go along with a 'thank you' or 'excuse me. ' To make a polite bow, simply lower your upper body by about 15 degrees as a sign of courtesy. You do not have to bow to your close friends, but it is never a bad idea to bow as you say hello to an elderly person.
In Korea, it is considered rude to look directly into someone's eyes during a conversation, especially if you are being scolded or rebuked by your seniors or elders. In some cultures, making eye contact is a non-verbal part of communication; however, this is not the same in Korean culture.
Eating. It is considered inappropriate for adults to eat while walking, so street food is often eaten on the spot where it is bought. Food should not be eaten with one's fingers. Spoons are used to eat soup, but chopsticks are used for everything else.
What NOT to wear in South Korea. While South Korea is quite modern, it's considered inappropriate to show too much skin, especially around the shoulders and chest area. Avoid wearing overly revealing clothing, particularly in traditional or religious settings.
If you're dating in South Korea, it's frowned upon to engage in PDA, or public displays of affection. It's okay to hold hands, but anything more than that will result in stares of disbelief. Instead of kissing or hugging in South Korea, couples show their affection by wearing matching outfits.
Kissing in public is looked down upon and seen as highly immodest among older individuals in South Korea. This has become less taboo with the current generation of young adults, but is still widely discouraged by elders. Dressing well is important in South Korea; it is considered a sign of respect.
Bowl, chopsticks and spoon
Don't hold your chopsticks and spoon together at the same time, never use your chopsticks like skewers, and never stab them in your bowl of rice – which is a funeral ritual.
Bowing and handshakes
Koreans bow to those senior to them both as a greeting and a show of respect. The junior person initiates the bow, bending from the waist to an angle of between 30 and 45 degrees from vertical. A less accentuated bow is returned as acknowledgment from the more senior person.
This is merely a sign of modesty and politeness. On the other hand, this could give an impression to non-Koreans that Koreans are shy or don't express themselves openly.
The importance of being beautiful is deeply entrenched in Korean culture. People believe that being physically attractive is key to having a more successful life, meeting a better mate, career success, etc.
As long as you cover your shoulder and chest area, there will be no problem showing a little belly skin.
For this reason, Koreans tend to favour the right hand when touching others, exchanging objects etc. Using the left hand in a handshake can be perceived as bad luck, due to its connotations with negativity and death.
The big slurp
In South Korea and Singapore, however, not so much. There, you might get unappreciative glances – the kind you get when you talk too loudly in a quiet train carriage. As far as Koreans and Singaporeans are concerned, slurping loudly is utterly uncouth.
As Korea's beauty standard is based on creating a youthful appearance, having large and innocent eyes is key. Big, round eyes with double eyelids are considered beautiful, whereas monolids are often seen as unattractive.
Keep your hands to yourself (at least at first)
While it's not uncommon to bump a few elbows on a crowded street, South Koreans aren't big on touching someone they don't know. This means hugs and shoulder pats aren't welcomed between strangers.
Handshakes and bows are acceptable greetings, but greeting someone with close physical contact, such as hugging or grabbing hands or arms, is bad Korean etiquette. Hugging strangers is certainly bad manners in Korea and will most likely make the other person extremely uncomfortable, especially when in public.
Meeting and greeting
Foreigners will see Koreans bowing all the time, even during telephone conversations. Though doing likewise will do much to endear you to locals, don't go overboard – a full, right-angled bow would only be appropriate for meeting royalty (and the monarchy ended in 1910).
Korean couples might match their outfits, but they're much more reserved about public displays of affection. Holding hands is normal but kissing on the lips? Not so much. If you're from a more openly affectionate country, save your lovey-dovey displays for somewhere more private.