10 Weird Prohibitions of South Korea

Before going to an unknown country, you need to familiarize yourself with its culture. Especially if you go to Asia, where society still respects traditions and maintains a hierarchical structure.

O awesome.com gathered some curious information about South Korea, one of the most fascinating countries in Asia.

In Korean culture there are many taboos associated with chopsticks – chopsticks used as cutlery. For example, if you punch food with them, the host or cook may take it as a personal insult. Upright chopsticks, especially embedded in rice, in Korea are associated with death.

In general, in South Korea (as in other Asian countries) there is a special relationship with tattoos. The work of a tattoo artist in the country is illegal and only doctors can dedicate themselves to “painting the body”. A tattoo can lead to not getting a job or being treated with disdain in public places.

In Korea, a plunging neckline is considered very explicit. That’s why Korean women almost never wear t-shirts and dresses over their naked bodies. But miniskirts are different. Girls use it a lot and try to cover themselves with a bag or a magazine when they go upstairs.

In South Korea, in some places, if you tip the waiter, he will take it as an insult. They have good salaries and this gesture could offend the team. But if you go to an American or European bar where the owner and staff are not Korean, that’s another thing. There you can easily leave a tip and show all the generosity of your soul.

Koreans treat food with great respect. Memories of the war and Japanese annexation are still fresh. Portions here are large, spicy, and often spicy. When visiting a home, it is not customary to refuse the food offered, let alone leave a dish unfinished.

Koreans perceive this as an invasion of privacy. Also don’t try to photograph the inhabitants without asking permission first. It is not simply a matter of personal discomfort. They can fine you or even take you to the police station for taking a picture, depending on the location. And you’ll have to explain that you didn’t take it with bad intentions.

In Korea, the age hierarchy is very developed. Younger people should obey their elders and not be rude to them. The old ladies (ajumma) are a bit scandalous, but don’t contradict them under any circumstances. Even if they are wrong and started the conflict.

In Korea, there are no taboos on bathroom subjects. People can easily talk about needs big and small, and the girl can tell her boyfriend that she had diarrhea. Also, such issues can be discussed over dinner or in the company of friends. They can calmly ask if everything is ok with your intestines. In the country there is a network of clean and free public restrooms. And in Seoul, there is even a park dedicated to toilet culture. As they say, what is natural cannot be unpleasant.

In Korea, there is a special attitude towards alcohol. Koreans work hard and sometimes drink a lot. Of course not every day, but at the end of the work week. It is usually drunk in the company of co-workers. It is not customary to reject the boss’s invitation to drink (remember the point about hierarchy), and there is no need to do so. At these happy hours, employees can earn a promotion, a profitable project, or a pay rise. After such events, well-dressed and drunk men and women can be seen sleeping in the streets and subways of Seoul. Don’t touch them, much less try to pick them up and take them home. Don’t worry, they won’t be stolen. Cops will drive drunk employees home.

Following a worldwide trend, in Korea, you cannot smoke everywhere. There are strictly designated spaces where the smoke doesn’t bother anyone. It can be a special smoking room or a simple rectangle drawn on the asphalt, with an inscription that says that it is allowed there. There are many smoking areas in Korea, especially in crowded environments. But if you still decide to light a cigarette in the wrong place, be prepared to pay a fine.

Which ban did you find the strangest? And what was a surprise? Share your opinion in the comments.