Travel Etiquette Tips for Tourists in Busan, South Korea
Dress Code and Respect
Be respectful: Always dress modestly when visiting temples or traditional Korean buildings (Chongdoksa, Beomeosa). Avoid wearing shorts, miniskirts, or revealing clothing. Remove your shoes when entering these places.
Bowing: In some situations, a slight bow can be used as a sign of respect, but not always necessary. Handshakes are common among locals and tourists alike.
Greetings: Common greeting is “Annyeonghaseyo” (안녕하세요), which means hello in Korean. It’s polite to use this greeting when meeting someone for the first time or entering a shop, restaurant, or someone’s home.
Cultural Etiquette Tips
Removing shoes: As mentioned earlier, it is customary to remove your shoes when entering homes, temples, and traditional Korean buildings.
Table manners: Use your chopsticks to pick up food from shared dishes. Don’t stick them vertically into your rice bowl as it resembles incense sticks at offerings to deceased ancestors and may be offensive.
Tipping: Tipping is generally not expected in restaurants or taxis, but appreciated if you feel the service was exceptional.
Public behavior: Be mindful of your behavior in public places such as buses, subways, and markets. Avoid loud conversations, eating, or drinking outside designated areas to respect local customs.
Queueing: Lining up is essential in crowded tourist spots and public transport. Pushiness may be seen as rude, so wait patiently for your turn.
Gift-giving: If you receive a gift, open it politely and express gratitude. Avoid gift-wrapping items containing four legs (such as clocks or furniture) as the number four is considered unlucky in Korean culture.
Respect for elderly: Koreans have deep respect for their elders. Showing patience and politeness when interacting with older individuals can go a long way in making a positive impression.