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| demonstration of traditional korean wedding ceremony |
one. communal dining
everywhere in korea, people like to eat together. so this also explains why their food comes in large portions, and has so many side dishes for people to share. dining is viewed often as a bonding session, including loads of alcohol (they believe that the influence of alcohol helps them to reduce the usual social rules they impose on themselves) so it is very rare for people to eat alone. however, there are increasingly more 24-hour food outlets which cater to the sole diner.
two. dining etiquette
when koreans eat, they seldom lift up their bowls as it is perceived to be rude. they also do not use both hands (eg, one to hold chopsticks and the other to hold the spoon). instead, they will put down whatever they are using, and use the same hand to pick up the other utensil. when drinking alcohol (especially soju), there are rules to be observed. the younger one always pours for the older person (the glass must never be empty), and when receiving soju poured by the other person, one must use both hands. when clicking glasses, the younger person's glass must be lower than the older person's, and when drinking, should turn his head aside as a show of respect to the older person.
three. maggi noodles is ramen!
while we perceive maggi noodles as instant noodles and are eaten only when necessary, it is not the same in korea. Instead, they are called ramen and sometimes, served as main meals or used in many of the hotpot stews like bu-deh jigeh (sausages + ramen in a spicy soup. for more info, refer to gobbles). many koreans love to eat this when out camping or for their daily suppers.
four. the coffee culture
if you haven't already noticed from the numerous korean dramas and the ubiquitous cafes around seoul, the koreans love their coffee. it's mandatory for one cuppa after every meal, and another one at any other time! and most local food-stores actually provide instant coffee machines at the entrance of their shops for customers to enjoy a free cup after their meal, so get your hands on one before you leave. korean coffee are mysteriously much nicer!
five. on the train
if you're travelling on the metro, it would not be hard to notice the set of seats at the end of each carriage, meant for the elderly. but before you get all excited about getting that seat (an impossibility in s'pore!), please note that these special seats are never to be used by anyone else, even if the train is packed and there are no elderly passengers around. this is a social rule observed by every Korean, and if you accidentally sit there, you will be asked to get up or receive obvious stares!
another interesting fact is that they will always be random salespeople coming into the carriages, pushing their trolley-bags, blasting music or speaking through their microphones, promoting whatever they are selling. it is a really unique feature and i used to enjoy watching them pitch their sales. but don't worry, just ignore them if you don't wish to buy anything, because koreans are not persistent salespeople. if nobody approaches them, they will simply exit at the next stop.
six. at the metro stations
most of the underground metro stations also serve as mini underground shopping malls, where more famous ones are the express bus terminal underground shopping mall and the huge stretch at jonggak metro station. The budget missha make-up brand is located at most metro stations for the desperate young ladies in need of a quick make-up fix.
some of the metro stations are also shelters to homeless, where many actually set up cardboard boxes to form temporary homes, while others simply lie on the floor with blankets. i was initially also a little wary about these strangers; i thought maybe they were dangerous but they never once provoked me think they just wanted their sleep!) so i soon got used to them sharing my stations!
seven. couple-hood
L.O.V.E. is everything in korea. the third question (after the usual ones about your name and age) is whether you're single or attached, because apparently, every single one in seoul is attached (and if you're not, someone'll be trying to help set you up!) so this isn't a bad thing at all, on streets you see couples holding hands (physical intimacy is hardly a social ban), in cafes, couples sit side-by-side, sharing food, and everywhere you go, shops bank on couple-tees, couple-rings, couple-everything to sell their merchandise! maybe one might get a little cheesed out by the overt display of affection, but i personally really like the expressive culture ♥ -smiles-
eight. fear not
that is, even if you do not speak korean. while it is true that most koreans are really shy about speaking english, they do in fact, understand the language, and if you speak slowly and nicely, most are actually willing to help you out. that aside, if you're chinese, then fear even lesser, because half the salepeople at major shopping places are mainland chinese students and you have no problems whatsoever buying whatever you need. the other half, by the way, have somehow mastered japanese, so if you know nihongo, good for you too!
for more, read here!
