Korean Etiquette for Visitors: Bowing, Dining, Drinking, and the Subway

Korean etiquette is rooted in respect for age and relationships. You don't need to master every rule—Koreans are generally forgiving with visitors—but a few basics go a long way. Here's what to know for greetings, meals, drinks, and getting around.

Greetings: a slight bow

The standard Korean greeting is a light bow from the neck and upper body. Bow a little deeper for elders or people you're meeting for the first time; a handshake often accompanies the bow, especially among men.

When shaking hands with someone older or more senior, it's polite to let them offer first and to lightly support your right forearm with your left hand or add a small bow.

Use two hands

When giving or receiving something from an elder—a business card, a gift, a glass—use both hands, or give with your right hand while touching your right forearm or wrist with your left. Handing something over with one hand, especially the left alone, can come across as rude.

You'll see this gesture everywhere, even when handing over a credit card at a shop or restaurant.

Age and polite speech

Korean has a built-in honorific system, and the level of politeness changes depending on whom you're talking to. With strangers and in formal settings, polite forms are the default regardless of age.

Don't be surprised if a new acquaintance asks your age. It's usually not nosy; it helps people figure out how to address each other. Using a person's name with “-ssi” or their job title is a safe choice.

Table manners and taking off shoes

Take off your shoes when entering a Korean home and when stepping up onto a floor-seating area in a restaurant. At meals, it's polite to wait until the eldest person picks up their spoon or chopsticks before you start.

Koreans typically eat rice and soup with a spoon and side dishes with chopsticks, and they don't lift the rice bowl to their mouth. Never stick chopsticks or a spoon upright in rice; it resembles offerings at an ancestral rite.

Drinking etiquette

At a Korean dinner or bar, people usually pour for each other rather than for themselves. Hold your glass with both hands when an elder pours for you, and it's a traditional courtesy to turn your head slightly away when you drink in front of an elder.

That said, pressure to drink is increasingly frowned upon. If you'd rather not drink, politely decline, accept the glass without drinking, or switch to a soft drink.

Public transit, public spaces, and tipping

Subways and buses have priority seats for seniors, people with disabilities, and others who need them, plus seats reserved for pregnant women; leave them open. Keep phone calls and conversations quiet on public transit.

Tipping isn't customary in Korea, in restaurants or in taxis. Just pay the amount on the bill; no one will think you're rude for not tipping.

FAQ

Should I tip in Korea?

No. Tipping isn't part of Korean culture; just pay the amount on the bill.

Why do Koreans ask my age?

Age shapes how people address each other in Korean. It's usually a practical question, not a rude one.

Do I have to bow?

A slight nod or bow is appreciated, but as a visitor, a friendly smile and a light bow are more than enough.

What if I don't drink alcohol?

Politely decline. Accepting the glass without drinking or switching to a soft drink is common and acceptable.

Sources

Last reviewed: 2026-10-28