Do's, Don'ts, and Dealing with Cultural Differences

Traveling to a new country for the first time can be a lot of things. Exciting, scary, intriguing, and more. This guide will help you with some general guidelines on navigating South Korea and understanding the differences between it and your home country.

Do’s

• Interact with locals! Take a walk through your new city. Explore, read, and discuss. 
• Don’t be afraid to go into a restaurant even if you can’t read Hangeul or speak the language. This is a great, fun learning experience!
• Knowledge of the native language as much as possible will be very helpful. Things will be difficult if you have little to no knowledge of the language. Use the Korean you know, translation apps, and body language as much as possible. 
• Always be polite and respectful.
• Learn about the area by exploring on your own. Try new things and get out of your comfort zone.
• Get out of Seoul! Seoul is amazing, but Korea has so much more to offer than just Seoul. Go to the countryside, to another big city, and explore new places.

Don’ts:

• Do not get into a person’s personal space. Avoid touching strangers. 
• Do not litter. Always throw garbage out and sort recycling correctly. 
• Do not talk too loudly while on trains. This includes talking on your cell phone (unless there is an emergency).
• The end section of train cars is reserved for children, the elderly, and those with disabilities. Do not sit in these seats unless necessary. 
• Do not sit in the pink train seats throughout train cars. These are reserved for children and pregnant persons. 
• Do not wear shoes in someone’s house, apartment, etc. This includes Gonzaga Dormitory rooms. You may be asked to take off your shows in cafes and restaurants as well. Check the doorway if you think this may be required.
• Do not abuse alcohol and always maintain situational awareness when out drinking.
• Do not block escalators on public transportation. Always stand to the right on escalators and walk on the left.
• Do not throw toilet paper in some toilets- certain cafes, restaurants, and public bathrooms will have signs posted asking you to throw toilet paper in the bins. Follow the requests of the posted signs!
• Don't use first names for people older than you and those you don't know.
  • When speaking in English, please attach titles such as Mr., Ms., Dr., and Professor with their last name.
  • When using Korean, addressing others by 선생님 (Seon-saeng-nim) would be the safest way in general.
• Don't address others too casually. The Korean language applies very strict honorifics for communication.
  • • Please don’t use ‘Hey’ to elders or wave your hand.
    • Always bow and use correct greetings for those older than you.

Survival Korean

Before coming to Korea, it is helpful to learn how to read Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, and to learn a few survival phrases. While some people can speak some English, using Korean will be an important skill and help you navigate life here. Learning Hangeul before coming will ensure you can read basic signs and restaurant menus!

Hangeul resources:

Here are some useful links and resources for learning the Korean alphabet.

• This is a great video class for learning the Korean alphabet: 
• This is a written explanation of the Korean alphabet.

Survival Phrases:

• Hello –  안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo)
• My name is ____ (standard) –  제 이름은 ____이에요 (je ireumeun ____ieyo)
• What is your name? – 이름이 뭐예요? (ireumi mwoyeyo?)
• Yes. – 네. / 예. (ne / ye)
• No. – 아니요. (ahniyo) 
• Thank you –  감사합니다 (gamsahamnida)
• I’m sorry – 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida)
• Just a moment –  잠시만요 (jamsimanyo) / 잠깐만요 (jamkkanmanyo). 
  This phrase can be used when walking around someone or getting off a crowded train or bus. Similar to "Excuse me" in English. 
• Where is ____? – _____어디에 있어요? (______ eodie isseoyo). You can insert any word into the blank to ask for directions!
  • Bathroom – 화장실 (hwajangsil)
    Subway station – 지하철역 (jihacheollyeok)
    Bus stop – 버스정류장 (beoseujeongnyujang)
    Hospital – 병원 (byeongwon)
  • Example: Where is the bathroom? –  화장실 어디에 있어요? (hwajangsir eodie isseoyo)
• Please give me _____–  _____ 주세요 (_____ juseyo). This is the polite way to order food, order a coffee, or ask for something!
  •  Menu – 메뉴판 (menyupan)
    Iced Latte – 아이스라때 (ahiseu latte)
    This one –  이것 (igeot)
  • Example: Please give me a menu –  메뉴판 주세요 (menyupan juseyo
• I don’t know –  몰라요 (mollayo)
• Do you speak English? –  영어 할 수 있어요? (yeongeo hal su isseoyo)
• Please help! – 도와주세요! (dowajuseyo)
• I'm a vegetarian. – 저는 채식주의자예요. (jeo-neun  chae-sik-ju-ui-ja-ye-yo)
• I can’t eat ______. / I don’t eat ______. – ______ 못 먹어요. (______  mot  meog-eo-yo)
  • Meat – 고기 (gogi)
  • Pork – 돼지고기 (dwaeji gogi)
  • Seafood – 해산물 (haesanmul)