What Not To Do In South Korea - Mistakes To Avoid

Because you should never leave home without first learning about cultural faux pas and local scams, especially if you want to have a smooth and stress-free journey, I’ve put together a list of 16 mistakes to avoid in South Korea.

Don’t want to look like a rude foreigner wandering around the Land of Morning Calm? Here’s what not do do in the country!

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Mistakes to avoid in South Korea

As someone who has spent quite a bit of time in Korea, here are the main mistakes I’ve seen or heard about, ones I think tourists should be aware of and never make.

1. Sticking chopsticks into rice

I’ve probably already talked about this one in a few other articles about South Korea, but if you’re new here, you should know that sticking chopsticks into rice looks like a funeral rite where incense would replace the chospticks.

So, if you’ve finished your meal or don’t know where to put them, simply place them across your bowl or to the right of your soup/rice bowl.

↪ See also: 15 Funny Or Unusual Things I Noticed In South Korea!

2. Shoes off

I know that most people are used to entering a house or even lying down on a bed with their shoes on (even though that sounds like heresy to me!), but in South Korea, as soon as you enter a home, you must take off your shoes and put on slippers, or walk barefoot if there aren’t any or if you feel more comfortable that way.

There are actually other situations where you’re required to take off your shoes, such as when entering the main hall of a Buddhist temple or historic pavilions.

Signs often indicate when to do so, and if in doubt, follow the locals’ example.

3. Talking loudly on public transportation

Don’t you think that people who listen to music without headphones or who talk about their entire lives on the phone are annoying and disrespectful? I do, and it’s one of the things that bothers me a little (actually, a lot) when I use public transportation.

That is, until I discovered the peace and quiet of riding public transportation in Korea for the first time.

Of course, there are always people who break the rules, but it’s frowned upon, unless you’re an ajumma, of course: in that case, anything goes!

Remember: you can chat as long as you speak softly and don’t shout.

4. Sitting in the reserved seats

It goes without saying, but sitting in the reserved seats (whether on the subway or on buses) is a no-no, unless an adorable grandfather invites you to sit down and there’s no one else who needs the seat.

In Korea, reserved seats come in different colors: mainly yellow for people with limited mobility and pink for pregnant women.

Do yourself a favor and don’t make the mistake of sitting in one of these reserved seats if you don’t want to draw dirty looks from other passengers (I’ve seen some people get up right away and apologize because of those scary glares).

5. Pushing the button at the crosswalk

You know those little buttons you push at crosswalks to signal that you want to cross and that are supposedly making the little guy turn green faster (even though I sometimes really doubt it)?

Well, in South Korea you shouldn’t make the mistake of pressing it, because even though its red color is very tempting, it’s in fact intended for visually impaired people who need an audible help to cross the road.

If you don’t want people to roll their eyes when they see you make a small mistake, don’t press it! I personally had the chance to have someone telling me not to before I made an irreparable mistake, especially for someone who likes to go unnoticed.

6. Jaywalking or Crossing the street when the light is red

Who hasn’t crossed the street where they shouldn’t, or when the light was still red but there weren’t any cars in sight? I won’t cast the first stone, especially since I was born in a country where crosswalks aren’t taken seriously and where pedestrian lights always seem to last forever.

And since I’m a tad impatient, I’ve crossed the street on a red light countless times…

Well, if you don’t want to reenact a scene from a K-drama that is often seen in many series (the one where people cross against a red light and get hit by a car), I recommend that you follow the law and wait for your turn.

Plus, pedestrian lights change pretty quickly in Korea, so it’s better to be safe than sorry, and unlike in other countries, everyone waits patiently.

7. Expecting everyone to speak English

This applies, by the way, to every non-speaking English countries. I wish some people wouldn’t feel so entitled to demand this just because English is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world.

If you’re traveling to Korea, keep in mind that English is more the exception than the rule. Sure, tourism is booming, and you can see and hear English in the most famous areas, but don’t expect everyone to be able to hold a conversation or help you in English.

Koreans are also perfectionnists so if they think their English isn’t fluent or up to par, chances are they won’t dare to speak it.

But don’t worry, you can download the fabulous Papago app, which will help you translate menus, directions, and ask for help.

↪ See also: The Most Common Misconceptions About South Korea!

8. Open on Mondays

Busy weekends are a thing in South Korea! Everyone is out and about, enjoying outdoor or cultural activities.

That’s why many museums, shops, and palaces are actually closed on Mondays, giving those who work on the weekend a well-deserved break. But for you, this means a slow day or a chance to appreciate the beauty of nature and get some exercise by going for a hike, for example.

9. The two-hand rule

Of course, if you’re a foreigner, no one will hold it against you, but it’s always interesting and helpful to know how to avoid a cultural mistake, so here goes.

Whether you’re giving or receiving a gift, money, a business card…, the rule is to always do so with both hands, or with one hand while the other supports your arm, as a sign of respect and politeness.

10. Handshakes and hugs

Even if you’re used to greeting someone with a handshake or a hug, I wouldn’t do that, especially hugging since it’s a fairly intimate gesture, and Koreans aren’t really open to physical contact unless you’re very close.

A slight bow is more common, and in a professional setting, a handshake is acceptable, but it should be accompanied by a slight bow; you should also always wait for the older person to extend their hand before initiating the handshake.

11. Forgetting the -요 particle

People who have learned a few local words often, unfortunately, make a small mistake that can be perceived as rude: forgetting the -요 (-yo) particle.

Used to turned a casual speech into a polite one, omitting it is a bit like treating everyone as a close friend, which may be fine in some countries but is frowned upon in South Korea, where hierarchy and respect are deeply rooted values.

So, when in doubt with grammar and prefixes, always use -yo at the end of your sentence.

12. Not sharing dishes

Koreans have a strong sharing culture, which I love because it really feels like you’re among friends you’ve known for years, even though sometimes you literally just met.

And if you’re having dinner with them, chances are certain dishes will be passed around or even placed directly on your plate for you to try, whether you ordered them or not. The unspoken rule, of course, is to do the same and share your dish.

It won’t be seen as a major faux pas if you don’t, but it will still be greatly appreciated. And don’t forget: sharing is caring!

13. Age-related etiquette rules

Remember when I said that age was particularly important? Well, in South Korea, there are two things you should never do when eating at a restaurant with elders.

Starting to eat before they do
Not refilling their drinks

As another sign of respect for the older generation, these two rules are pretty important and will surprise and delight your older Korean friends, who didn’t think you knew them.

Note: if you’ve having a drink with Koreans (first of all, good luck), and you’ve had enough, don’t empty your glass, otherwise, they’ll think you’re ready for another round.

14. Showing up empty-handed

Got invited to a local’s home? Never come empty-handed! A small gift will be greatly appreciated and show that you have good manners.

Although I feel like this is just common sense and something most of us probably learned as children.

15. Public displays of affection

Also abbreviated as “PDA”, you won’t see Korean couples go beyond holding hands or hugging in public, and that’s because the country is known for its culture of modesty. Considered a virtue and a common social behavior, showing modesty is a quality that is truly valued in society.

Therefore, if you’re traveling as a couple, avoid making out in the street, unless you want people to stare at you as if you were at the zoo.

And if you want to make it clear that you’re a couple, you can always opt for matching outfits, something Koreans are good at and that’s annoyingly cute.

16. Traveling during national holidays

One of the biggest mistakes to avoid if you intend to visit Korea is traveling during major national holidays such as Chuseok and Seollal. Why? Simply because train tickets will sell out weeks in advance, and the crowds will be crazy, especially in Seoul, as everyone will be on the move to visit their families.

If you don’t want to find yourself in a tricky situation, plan to travel two days before the holiday or try visiting a smaller city during this time. And if you can, just avoid traveling during this period, since you’ll need to book your hotel several weeks in advance, not to mention that many places will also be closed.

Are there any other things you think tourists should never do in South Korea? Have you ever made mistakes in another country that made people look at you as if you were a weirdo? Let me know in the comments!

Ready to discover South Korea? Check out: What You Really Need To Pack For South Korea – From A Minimalist Traveler!

What Not To Do In South Korea – Mistakes To Avoid