Korea

Country starter pack
Visiting Korea
89
If someone empties his glass and passes it to you, hold it
up with two hands to be filled then return it promptly. If
you are a light drinker, are unsure of the potency of the
alcohol being served or prefer to enjoy the evening with
a clear mind, just keep your glass half full. “Gun-bae” is
the most common Korean term for toasting with protocol
requiring a glass to be raised.
Consider it a tremendous honour if you are invited to a
Korean’s house and be aware of the following protocols:
• Guests tend to meet at a common spot and travel to
the house together
• You may arrive up to 30 minutes late without giving
offence
• Always take off your shoes before entering the house
• Each guest is greeted by the host individually
• The host (not the hostess) pours drinks for the guests
in their presence
• Koreans tend to believe that it is insulting to wish
your guests farewell indoors therefore the hosts will
generally accompany their guests to their car or gate
• It is recommended to send a thank you note to your
host the following day.
Tipping is not customary in Korea, although many
restaurants will add a service charge to the bill.
Korean cuisine
Korean cuisine has some quite distinctive attributes,
but also has many features in common with other Asian
cuisines. Korean food is considered by many to be quite
healthy; fermented foods such as kimchi and doenjang
(soybean paste) soups are particularly perceived to have
disease prevention benefits. Centuries ago, in order to
preserve vegetables over the long winter, Koreans found a
way to ferment their vegetables – mainly napa (Chinese)
cabbage, turnip, cucumbers and spring onions – with a
variety of seasonings (such as pepper and fish paste) in
clay kimchi pots buried in the soil. These days they have
kimchi refrigerators but the basic family recipes remain
the same. Kimchi is reputed to aid in the digestion of
carbohydrates and in the prevention of geriatric diseases
and even SARS. Koreans eat it at every meal and claim
they will have withdrawal symptoms if they have to go a
day without it. Given the growing popularity of Korean
cuisine in Australia, you should have every chance to try it
before travelling to Korea.
Gift giving etiquette
In Korea, the importance of a relationship can be
expressed through gift giving which is always welcomed.
Note though, it is inconsiderate to give someone an
expensive gift if you know that they cannot afford to
reciprocate accordingly. Gifts should always be wrapped
nicely in red or yellow paper, as these are royal colours.
Alternatively, you can use colours that represent
happiness: yellow or pink. Never sign a card in red ink or
use green, white or black wrapping paper. If you’re invited
to a Korean’s home then you should take gifts such as
fruit, good quality chocolates or flowers and present the
gift with two hands. Gifts are not opened when received
and will be done so later.