Directly saying no to a drink, in general, could be seen as rude. However, Koreans will understand if you don't drink for medical or religious reasons. If you really don't want to drink, it's best to politely say 'no'. You might suggest saying that you are on some medication that doesn't allow you to drink alcohol.
It's so important it is almost an obligation to drink. Traditionally, Koreans drink alcohol to celebrate important holidays and seasons, such as New Year, Rice Planting and their Day of Thanks. Their drinking involved rituals showing respect for ancestors and elders.
Declining food or drink, especially when offered by an elder, is a social faux pas in Korea. The thing is, Koreans know not everyone drinks, but they're still going to offer you a glass of beer, soju, makgeolli, or whatever they're drinking, to be polite.
In Korea, however, it is customary to always pour and receive drinks with both hands or at least have both hands touching the glass as a sign of respect, especially if the person pouring your drink is an elder. Out of respect for an elder, Koreans usually turn their face away and cover their mouth while drinking.
In Korea, 20% of drinkers are binge or excessive drinkers, and are responsible for 66% of all alcohol consumption [2].
According to the World Health Organization, US has the lowest rate of alcohol dependence with only 1.93 per cent.
Hungary has the highest prevalence of alcohol use disorders overall, with 21.2% of the total population afflicted. However, the per-gender numbers are even more informative, with 36.9% of men and 7.2% of females.
Objective: In South Korea, individuals are legally allowed access to alcohol from January 1st of the year they turn 19. This study examined the effects of the legal drinking age laws in South Korea on alcohol consumption.
More social drinking than drinking alone at home was the defining aspect of Korean drinking culture. Rather than taking a little sip at a time, people frequently drink one shot at a time. One shot means chugging down an entire glass. Koreans usually have competitions among friends for who will have the most shots.
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.
WonHo is known for his toned and muscular figure. With this in mind, it would make sense why he doesn't partake in drinking. However, the fit idol says he doesn't drink for other reasons. Through fancafe messages, WonHo revealed that in order to avoid hurting others and making mistakes, he avoids alcohol consumption.
Since ancient times, Koreans have only used natural, harsh-free ingredients for their skincare routines: green tea, “snail slime”, bamboo extracts, propolis, and honey are just some examples of the elements they used and have passed through generations.
Drinking plays a significant role in Korean culture, especially in work culture. However, the young generation is challenging the peer-pressure-based tradition. Korean drinking etiquette is based in hierarchy. For example, the younger person should use both hands to pour and receive alcohol.
To use the “Korean cheers,” raise your glass in the air, say 건배 (geonbae), and clink your glass with your friend's glass. The word implies that you should then drink the whole of your drink, but this is not actually necessary. 건배 (geonbae) is usually said by itself rather than part of a phrase or sentence.
YES. The tap water in South Korea is drinkable. The water infrastructure across the country is reliable and purification processes are well maintained.
Basic Drinking Rules in South Korea
If you are receiving alcohol, you should also hold your glass with both hands. Although this is not always enforced, it is considered polite to turn your face slightly away from others when you are drinking. Cover your mouth with your hands. In other words, don't make eye contact!
Barley tea
Barley tea is highly popular in Korea and like so many Korean drinks it's often drunk for its health benefits. Many Koreans drink this tea like water, believing that it will cleanse the body and improve the digestive system. And it's also caffeine free.
Soju, a clear, slightly-sweet distilled spirit, is the most popular Korean liquor. It is known as "a friend of life" and "the common people's drink." Soju is made from grains (such as rice, barley, and wheat) or starches, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, and tapioca.
While South Korea's constitution guarantees freedom of religion and separation of church and state, the government has been sympathetic to Christianity. It considers the religion to provide some ideological protection against their Communist neighbor.
Burkina Faso is the country with the youngest drinking age at 13 years. Burkina Faso, a country in West Africa, a population 20.9 million (2020), has an area that expands to roughly 170,255 miles.
The legal age for drinking, according to the Korean age system, is 20 years old. Hence, on Jan. 1, 2023, all Korean citizens born in 2004 were legally allowed to purchase and drink alcohol.
Looking at the amount of alcohol consumed per person aged 15 years or older, the Seychelles is in first place with around 20.5 litres of alcohol drunk per person per year, according to Our World in Data; studies show that young male peer groups primarily drink high amounts of alcohol in the Seychelles.
Luxembourg, where residents pound down 15.5 liters of alcohol in a year, on average, ranks first. Close behind are France (14.2 liters), Ireland (also 14.2 liters, a lot more of it from beer), Hungary (12 liters) and the Czech Republic (11.8 liters).
Frequently Asked Questions
While America is among first-world countries with lower rates of alcohol use, it has a higher rate of alcohol abuse. About 15 million Americans are currently struggling with alcoholism; on average, 95,000 people die yearly in the United States from alcohol-related causes.