When gesturing in Korea, it is considered bad manners to point with one finger, especially the index finger. Instead, Koreans tend to use the whole hand when gesturing or motioning towards something. To call someone's attention in Korea, use the whole hand, palm face up. Bring the whole hand up as if clapping.
As in many other cultures, pointing at someone with your index finger is considered extremely rude in Korea, mostly because it is associated with blaming someone for their actions or pointing out their mistakes. However, gesturing towards someone with one's whole palm upturned is considered respectful.
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.
So out of respect and politeness, Koreans concentrate on chatting while avoiding eye contact. The bow is the traditional Korean greeting, though often accompanied by a handshake among men. To show respect when shaking hands, men put their left hand in the crook of their right arm.
Can You Show Affection in Public? Public displays of affection (PDA) is a sin most Korean couples commit. While you should keep the steamy make-out sessions private, PDA tends to happen on the norm in Korean dating culture. Holding hands, giving a peck, or even a kiss is a usual sight.
After the Korean War, red came to be perceived as the color of communism, thus gaining a negative connotation, but since the 2002 World Cup, it has become a symbol of passion and the color that promotes social cohesion.
Eye Contact: During a discussion or friendly conversation, make full eye contact with the person you are talking to. 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.
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.
South Korea has strong laws and practice in criminal defamation and insult. Many of defamation cases were filed to protect the reputation of public officials while theoretically all of the candidate defamation and insult indictments are aiming to protect the reputation of the candidates to public officialdom.
In Europe, pointing is not particu- larly polite; in China, Japan, Latin America, and Indone- sia, it has very rude connotations. In most of Asia (including India) and parts of Latin America, the palm faces downward and the fingers are curled below in tandem in a scratching motion.
Some countries, however, take it more seriously than others. In Cambodia and Malaysia, pointing with your index finger is considered extremely rude. People either try pointing with two fingers, with their thumbs or with the whole hand.
In many cultures, including ours, pointing at other people is considered rude because it's associated with blame allocation ('to point the finger at…'). Also, by pointing at someone, you automatically, and without their consent, make them an object of scrutiny.
PDA in Korea
In South Korea, passionate kisses and lingering hugs are considered tacky and inappropriate when they occur in public. Rather, they're seen as special, romantic moments that should be shared with your partner in a private setting.
For example, kissing in public is generally not accepted, even among couples. Hand-holding or hugging may be acceptable in some contexts, such ... In South Korea, public displays of affection are extremely rare, Parks explained.
Most people never use their middle finger when pointing; it is used only as an obscene gesture. Some Koreans unknowingly use their middle finger to point at a menu, press buttons on the elevator, scroll on their smartphone, or adjust their glasses.
This is Korea's version of a pinky swear. In fact, you will start making the gesture by indeed interlocking your pinkies like in a pinky swear. But then, because that is not sufficient for making a promise, with your pinkies interlocked, you will also have the same hands' thumbs pressing together on top.
Hugging strangers is certainly bad manners in Korea and will most likely make the other person extremely uncomfortable, especially when in public. Close physical contact is generally reserved for friends and family. Once you've become friends with someone in Korea, you can set your own boundaries.
Flirting in Korean culture is pretty much like what you see in Korean dramas. They use romantic, sweet, and cute phrases to touch the heart of the person they like. Aside from romantic phrases, they also flirt by acting cute, called aegyo (애교).
(a, anieyo), or respond to your compliment with awkward silence or a smile. This is because, to a Korean, accepting compliments confidently is considered rude. Therefore, they do their best to avoid appearing too arrogant to the person giving the compliment.
As cleavage is generally not accepted in Korean fashion, backless clothing is also considered taboo. It's rare to find Korean women's clothing that exposes the backside, as it is deemed as revealing cleavage. Korean women tend to be conservative when exposing their upper body, including the back.
As long as you cover your shoulder and chest area, there will be no problem showing a little belly skin. Pull off a fantastic look by combining your crop top with jeans, stylish sneakers, and a unique blazer.
Korea is a polite society; be appreciative and it will go a long way. If you feel confident in your Korean, you can say 'jal meokkessumnida' (잘 먹겠습니다 ) before the meal — similar to the Japanese itadakimasu, it roughly translates to 'I will eat well'.
But while the foreign conventions of individual bedrooms and raised beds have long been popular in Korea, it's still common for generations to co-sleep on the floor, particularly when a newborn baby joins the family.