Respect for others according to seniority is a pillar of Korea's Confucianist traditions. Seniority is based on age, position in the family, job position, being a teacher, and the list goes on. When drinking with a much older person, it is customary to turn your head away to take a drink.
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.
Respect should always be shown to those that are older than you. This involves deferring to their opinion, waiting for their input and lowering your gaze if they are an elder. Objects, gifts and food should be offered and received with two hands. Remove your hat when indoors.
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.
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.
The Korean drinking culture goes all the way back to the old days. Since the invention of Korean alcohol several hundred years ago, Koreans have had the habit of consuming alcohol when celebrating important holidays. During those times, and still today, this took place during a ritual to show respect to ancestors.
Drinking is the second leading cause of a decline in health for Koreans. The World Health Organization has identified drinking as a major factor affecting health-related quality of life. According to statistics, the leading cause of death in Korea was cancer.
Approximately one-fourth (23.7%) of men and 5.8% of women consume alcohol at a harmful level (>60 g pure alcohol per drinking day for men and >40 g for women), decreasing slightly from 2007 to 2014 among men but increasing among women.
As drinking is a large part of work and social culture, Koreans learn strict drinking etiquette. Whether a native or a foreigner, understanding drinking etiquette is essential to understand.
Confucian tradition also demands that the elderly be treated at all times with the utmost respect. When elders are present, young Koreans would never lounge around, wear sunglasses, or expect to eat first. Relationships with friends are the one area where Koreans can view each other as equals.
This study aimed to investigate prevalence and associated factors of elder abuse. The overall prevalence of elder abuse in this study was 12.6% in community-dwelling Koreans, which was similar to 15.7% from a recent meta-analysis [17].
Displaying Physical Affection In Public
South Korean guys, on the other hand, will be far more open about their relationship status in public and openly caring. They would wrap their arms around you or take your hand in theirs.
As a sign of respect when drinking with a person who is their senior, Koreans turn their heads when taking a sip (instead of facing the person directly).
In conclusion, the prevalence of dementia in Korea is higher than that in other Asian and Western countries. The prevalence has increased since 2005 because of rapid increase in the aged population. AD is the most prevalent type, and its predominance is expected to increase with an increase in the aged population.
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.
"Asian flush" is common in East Asians, with approximately 30 to 50% of Chinese, Japanese, and Koreans showing characteristic physiological responses to drinking alcohol that includes facial flushing, nausea, headaches and a fast heart rate.
Approximately 50.8% of men and 26.9% of women reported binge drinking [consuming 7 or more standard drinks (7–8 g of pure alcohol) in 1 drinking session for men or 5 for women] in the past month [2]. In Korea, 20% of drinkers are binge or excessive drinkers, and are responsible for 66% of all alcohol consumption [2].
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.
Russia and Australia have the highest prevalence of alcoholism dependence overall, with 2.61 per cent and 2.58 per cent, respectively. 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.
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.
South Koreans drink 13.7 shots of liquor per week on average, which is the most in the world. And of 44 other countries analyzed by Euromonitor, none comes anywhere close.
Underage drinking is somewhat restricted by bartenders' reluctance to serve younger people alcoholic drinks. The legal drinking age in South Korea is 19 years old. Although 19 might sound like an odd drinking age, it is the same as in many Asian countries – for instance, it is close to the drinking age in Japan.
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.