South Korea

Smart Talk

The Korean War and World War II-there is very little hand-wringing or discussion of past (or even present) political strife.

Don’t fixate on the similarities among the Chinese, Japanese, and Koreans. It violates not only political taboos (especially Japan's treatment of Korea during World War II) but the Korean notion of ethnic and cultural uniqueness.

Maligning the government. There’s limited freedom of the press and not much of a tradition of political criticism.

Asking where someone went to college. It happens to be an accurate (too accurate) indicator of social class.

Assuming familiarity with someone who's older than you (by using his or her first name, for instance).

Diversionary Topics - Before getting down to business, it's not only polite but mandatory to inquire about someone's age, marital status, and number of children.

Tipping Etiquette

Listen Up

Basic Phrases Essential For Your Travels

Hello

In person, annyeonghaseyo (formal) or annyeong hasimnikka (in the countryside and the north). On the telephone, yuboseyo. You should bow moderately deeply on the first meeting, less so after that, and barely at all to an acknowledged inferior—who always bows the deepest. Greetings, like so much else in Korean society, are extremely status conscious and go far beyond these simple phrases. But you should leave that to the experts.

Good-bye

Annyeong—which can also be a very informal “hello.” “Even if you know somebody a really long time,” says writer Cecilia Hae-Jin Lee, “if you’re on equal footing, you should still be formal.”

Thank You

Gamsahamnida (formal), gomapseumnida (informal). Cheonmahneyo means “you’re welcome.”

Excuse Me

Jwesonghamnida (formal, first syllable pronounced jeh), mianhamnida (informal)—these cover both “excuse me” and “I’m sorry” as well as asking directions, but bow only if you’re apologizing.

Help Me

Towajuseyo is very direct.

Please

Jebal, to be used selectively. The politeness in Korean is implied in the suffixes (hamnida, seumnida), with jebal reserved for abject begging. If you’re simply looking for a better room or asking a favor, try jal heh juseyo (“treat me nice”).