Entering a house with shoes on is considered disrespectful, as it is synonymous with bringing in outside dirt and grime to one's residence. Modern Korean apartments often have built-in shoe cabinets at the hyun-gwan, which doubles down as a storage area for other objects.
It is a good rule of etiquette in most homes in Korea to take off your shoes before entering. You don't wear shoes in the house, because it's not hygienic after walking down the street, and Koreans, like many other Asian people, sleep, study, eat, and spend most of their time on the floor.
If someone invites you to their home, make sure you take your shoes off before entering. Iranians wear house slippers indoors and are sure to offer you a pair too.
Back in ancient times, houses in Asia were raised about two feet off the ground. For example, in Japan there is a small space at the entryway of the house (called “Genkan”) for taking shoes off and leaving them. So taking the shoes off and stepping into the house is symbolized as entering a private space.
Protecting the cleanliness of interior floors is a legacy from times – not that long ago – when roads and footpaths were filthy. Chinese superstitions enforce the rule: wearing outdoor shoes inside is believed to introduce “bad luck”, a metaphor for germs, into the home.
In many countries like Germany, Switzerland, Skandinavian countries, Turkey, Japan, Korea etc. it is common use to take off the shoes when entering someone's home. In these countries it is considered a major faux pas to walk through a house with shoes on.
In most of Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, shoes are never worn inside homes, and it can be seen as a sign of disrespect for guests to enter a host's home without leaving them at the door.
If you happen to be invited to a Korean home, remember to wear a pair of socks, as being without one may seem inappropriate to some. Even if you have to go to the bathroom, you will most likely find slippers that are only used there, to keep the house in a more hygienic situation.
Showing Respect
In addition to the practical reasons, taking off your shoes is also seen as a sign of respect when entering someone's home or place of business. Traditionally, it could be seen as disrespectful to keep your shoes on in someone's residence.
Sitting in Sukh Asana helps in maintaining a good posture and relieves you from muscle and joint pains. It gives flexibility, keeps back straight, and provides strength to your legs.
Shoe gifts will make your lover leave you
There's a saying in Korea, “if you gift a good pair of shoes to your lover, they will wear the shoe and run/fly away.” Apparently, this superstition first arose in the 60s, when it was a luxury to buy new shoes.
Remove your shoes indoors
Don't you dare walk inside with shoes on (unless you want to be viewed as a disrespectful savage). Make sure to remove your shoes before entering Korean households, temples, and schools. Often times, slippers are provided so you don't need to be barefoot.
1. Giving footwear (shoes, slippers, boots) as a gift to your loved one. Koreans believe that receiving shows as a gift will kill the relationship. The person in the relationship who receives the shoes will 'run away' from their significant other.
Sleeping on the floor became common when ondol floor heating was introduced to the Koreans. When HVAC systems were not a thing, households had to find ways to keep warm and remain cool. Ondol floor heating was a process that used the smoke from fireplaces to warm up the whole house from under the floor.
The "sitting on the floor” lifestyle started way back in the past, like hundreds of years ago. Hanok, a traditional Korean house first built in the 14th century, had an “Ondol (온돌)”, which is a floor-based heating system. By sitting or lying down on the floor, one can feel the warmth of the floor.
They discovered salt kept food from going bad, and they started to believe salt could keep evil spirits away. Since then, people throw salt (or just say it) in order to push devils away after unwelcomed or despised people visit. SBS Drama.
Japanese have developed the custom of eating meals sitting on tatami mats, not on chairs. They also roll out the futon on which they sleep on the tatami floor. Therefore, they take their shoes off when entering the house to avoid getting the floor dirty.
Many Japanese people believe it is poor manners to walk or do other physical activities while eating because it means you're not appreciating your food properly. For some, this belief has its roots in World War II, when food was scarce and it was something to be treasured, not treated casually.
Avoid things like tank tops, shorts, and mini-skirts. Opting for more conservative clothing is always a safe bet even if you don't plan to visit temples or shrines. It's also generally frowned upon for women to show cleavage. Clothing with offensive messages or designs.
The brushing method recommended to general persons in Korea is the 3-3-3 brushing method campaign, which involves only toothbrushing behavior (the time and frequency); 3-3-3 means brushing one's teeth 3 times per day, within 3 minutes after having a meal, for at least 3 minutes each time.
Substantial, dark green patches on the teeth can be mistaken for missing or severely rotted teeth or an advanced fungal infection. Garlic, is also a common food that you could find in almost every Korean food. So that could be one of the reasons why Koreans brush their teeth after every meal!
Koreans have a special relationship with their floor, on which they sit and often sleep on, so a dirty floor can be thought of as intolerable. Some households may use indoor slippers, but it is far more common to walk around barefoot or in socks.
Shoe bottoms are incubators of a variety of germs and bacteria, many of which can make you sick and even lead to long-term illnesses. They're also carrying microscopic remnants of animal and human fecal matter. A significant cause of worry are two particularly pernicious kinds of bacteria that love to live on shoes: E.
It may seem like an inconvenience to untie and take off your shoes in your own home or as a guest in someone else's home, but you'd be surprised by what can get tracked in on the soles of your shoes. Leaving shoes at the door can reduce toxins, bacteria and allergen levels throughout your home.