Journal #20

Manners are extremely important in Korea. They are handed down from generation to generation since a period of Jo-Seon starting about 500 years ago. There are several unacceptable behaviors in Korea. First of all, Korea has unique table manners when we dine with elderly people. When we are having a meal with the elderly, young people don’t have their meals after elders take a bite of their meals, that is, we had to wait until adults started eating. Therefore, when you have meals with Korean families if you eat your meal before elders, you will be treated as a rude person. Secondly, when young people meet elders, young people should bow their heads to elders. Also, we use honorific language to elders to show respects. Koreans consider them a matter of consequence. Accordingly, if you don’t bow and use honorific language when you meet older people in Korea, they will think you are impolite. Finally, young people should yield their seats when elders get on a subway or bus. When elder people ride a bus or subway, usually young people leave their seats out because they think that the seats are for elders and weak people. So that when elders get on a public transportation, if you don’t yield your seat, you will become the focus of criticism. These things are unacceptable behaviors in Korea. Due to such manners, you should learn them before you go to Korea.