Tipping is not required nor expected in Korea. But most major hotels add a compulsory 10% service charge to bills. This is on top of the 10% VAT (which is usually included in prices at most stores in Korea, but not in some high-end restaurants).
How much is customary? Some of the high-end restaurants in the city might expect at least a 10% tip and some places even automatically add the gratuity. In Western-style restaurants it is advised to leave between 5 and 10%, it is not recommended to tip at Korean restaurants.
Tipping. Korea is basically a no-tip culture. Cab drivers don't expect any reward for their services and it's pretty much the same for staff in local restaurants as well as hotels. Even porters and bellboys don't expect a tip.
Tissues and water are free in all restaurants.
However, in some restaurants, you will see “물은self” posters. This Konglish term means that you have to help yourSELF to water (and tissues). Don't tell them to serve them for you! FYI, there is no service charge in Korea.
It's advisable to put your utensils back on the table once you're finished with your meal to indicate that you're done, although many Koreans also leave them on top of their plates or inside the bowl, provided that it's empty.
Tipping is not customary in South Korea. In fact, giving gratuities to waiters, cab drivers, and hotel staff may be considered disrespectful here as opposed to in many Western nations.
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.
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.
The simple answer is yes, the water is potable. Tap water in Korea is safe to drink.
Tipping in bars and restaurants is not expected in South Korea, unlike in most countries in Europe and in the United States. The general rule is the service should be exceptional at all times, and with no expectation of extra pay. Tipping in South Korea can be considered rude and frowned upon.
All taxis operating in the Seoul area accept credit cards, transportation cards, or cash.
To use the card for public transportation in Seoul, you must tap your card when boarding and getting off buses or entering and exiting subway stations.
Tipping in Korea is not a common practice and is generally not expected. In fact, attempting to tip someone may even be seen as rude or disrespectful. This is because the culture places a strong emphasis on mutual respect and egalitarianism.
In South Korea 95% of all payments can be made with card. It is recommended to bring a minimum amount of cash with you. $200 USD should be enough to pay for small items and in case your card doesn't work. All of your other expenses should be paid with your card.
You should count U$100/ day if you want to enjoy life in Seoul. +/- KRW 120.000 a day is nothing in Seoul. Koreans spend easily KRW 150.000/day for transportation, food and amusement life. If you travel to Seoul you will need a bigger budget than if you stay in the country side.
Traveling to South Korea? Don't forget your plastic. South Korea is a modern and cosmopolitan country, with exciting culture and food. Credit cards, debit cards, and cash are all accepted without issue in South Korea, with cash becoming less common.
No drinks or food allowed.
Although the subway is stable, it does shake at times.
Alcohol. The legal drinking age in Korea is 19 years of age. Although it is legal to drink alcohol in public, disorderly conduct under the influence of alcohol can result in hefty fines and a visit to the police station.
In Korea, it is traditional that when a person gives an alcoholic drink to another adult, the person has to offer the drink respectfully with two hands. When pouring a drink, the bottle should be held with the right hand, and the wrist of your right hand held lightly with the left hand.
In modern times, however, bowing in Korea is a part of everyday life. 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.
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.
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.
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.