The Culture of South Korea
Religion:
Most South Koreans are Christian or Buddhist, both of which are influenced by the philosophy of Confucianism. Below is a picture of Buddhist children praying.
Etiquette:
Meeting Etiquette - South Koreans shake hands after bowing to one another. Members of the lower class typically bow to members of the upper class of society. It is custom for members of the upper class to initiate the contact. The initiators of contact say, "pleased to meet you", or "mannaseo bangawoyo" in Korean. When the two depart from one another, you bow to each person, lower class first and higher class second.
Gift Giving Etiquette - Giving gifts is something that is very common in South Korea, and each gift is always reciprocated. Giving a gift that is very expensive to someone who couldn't possibly reciprocate such a gift is considered rude. Food items such as fruit and chocolate are common gifts.
Meeting Etiquette - South Koreans shake hands after bowing to one another. Members of the lower class typically bow to members of the upper class of society. It is custom for members of the upper class to initiate the contact. The initiators of contact say, "pleased to meet you", or "mannaseo bangawoyo" in Korean. When the two depart from one another, you bow to each person, lower class first and higher class second.
Gift Giving Etiquette - Giving gifts is something that is very common in South Korea, and each gift is always reciprocated. Giving a gift that is very expensive to someone who couldn't possibly reciprocate such a gift is considered rude. Food items such as fruit and chocolate are common gifts.
Dining Etiquette - When entering the hosts home, you should remove your shoes at the door. Arriving 30 minutes late is not considered rude, but anything over extremely rude. The male host prepares the food and drink, and the oldest are always served first. Do not eat until everyone has gotten their food. Use chopsticks and do not pick up food with your hands, and make sure that you do not poke or stab your food with chopsticks. And finish everything on your plate! When supper is finished, be sure to send your host and hostess a thank you letter (and optional a gift).
Dress Etiquette - Both men and women in South Korea dress conservatively, and those who do not are looked down upon by others. Men wear darker clothes when wearing business clothing, and do not under any circumstance wear jewelry unless it is a wedding ring. Women wear conservative clothing as well with darker or subdued colors.
Dress Etiquette - Both men and women in South Korea dress conservatively, and those who do not are looked down upon by others. Men wear darker clothes when wearing business clothing, and do not under any circumstance wear jewelry unless it is a wedding ring. Women wear conservative clothing as well with darker or subdued colors.
Ethnicity in South Korea
South Korea's ethnicity is mostly homogeneous.
South Korea's ethnicity is mostly homogeneous.
Holidays
Holidays are an important aspect of South Korean culture, here are the important South Korean holidays:
January 1st, New Years Day:
March 1st, Independence Day:
Below are pictures of South Koreans celebrating the above two holidays:
Holidays are an important aspect of South Korean culture, here are the important South Korean holidays:
January 1st, New Years Day:
- Three day holiday
- Family-eccentric
- Games are played and food is eaten
- Ancestral rites performed by Catholics, Buddhists, and Nonaffiliated
March 1st, Independence Day:
- Celebrates day that Korea broke away from Japan
- Popular and busy
- Ceremony hosted by president in Seoul
- Free public transportation for descendants of these people
- Public museums and buildings accessible for free
- South Korean homes are decorated by flying the South Korean flag
- South Korean flag hangs from government buildings and large buildings in metropolitan areas
Below are pictures of South Koreans celebrating the above two holidays: