Etiquette in Korea

I’m an exchange student from Taiwan. I had already lived here for one month. I made lots of Korean friends and found many different kinds of etiquette between Korea and Taiwan.

        In Taiwan, when we were having meals, we always hold the bowls on our hands. If we put the bowls on the table during the eating time, we will be blamed by our parents or our elders. Because it means you are animals. Only animals are eating without holding their bowls. But it’s opposite in Korea. My Korean friends told me that only beggars hold their bowls when they are eating. That was a shock to know this!

        When Koreans are drinking, they cared about many details of etiquette. For example, when somebody was pouring any alcoholic drink including beers, liquors or soju, Koreans always take their own cups up. In Taiwan, we didn’t care too much, just drink! When Koreans were drinking with elders, they will turn their body and drink. Taiwan people never do this ever.

        Not only table manners, but also address. In Taiwan, we usually call someone’s name directly or nickname who was older maybe 5 years-older than us. But Koreans usually use ’’Oppa, Onni’’ to their friends who were older a little bit than them. For Taiwan girls, if they call the guys ‘’Oppa’’ like that, there were only two situations. One was they like that guy. Anthor was they had a relationship. That was quite shy.

        Every country has its own culture. We have to know and respect their culture. And this journey was a good chance to share our culture with each other. Cultural literacy is important, so when in Rome, do as the Romans do!