Etiquette in South Korea

In South Korea, etiquette, or the code of social behavior that governs human interactions, is largely derived from Korean Confucianism and focuses on the core values of this religion.

[1] In addition to general behaviour, etiquette in South Korea also determines how to behave with responsibility and social status.

Although most aspects of etiquette are accepted by the country at large, customs can be localized to specific regions or influenced by other cultures, namely China, Japan, and the United States.

Due to filial piety and the nature of how women are raised in South Korea, there some acts of etiquette that do not apply to men.

Table etiquette in South Korea can be traced back to the Confucian philosophies of the Joseon period.

[1][6] Traditionally when dining, South Koreans use cushions to sit on the floor and eat from a low table.

The dining area in a restaurant is generally on a raised platform, and visitors are expected to remove their shoes before stepping onto it.

Therefore, paying attention to other's drink glasses and filling them when empty is a common procedure at bars, parties, and other social settings.

These actions please elders because when someone of a higher social standing pours a drink, it is considered proper for the less significant person to turn away.

[13][14] Housewarming in South Korea is called jib-deu-li (집들이), and it involves the customary practice of hosting a small gathering after moving into a new home.

[15] Traditionally, the owner of the new home would invite a shaman (무당 mudang) to perform a shamanist ritual (gut) on the evening of move-in day.

In Ongjin-gun, Gyeonggi Province, it is called the deulchari (들차리), and the owner will select an evening to invite friends and villagers to show them around while serving them food.

The food served is usually bibimbap (비빔밥) mixed with rice, bean sprouts, and gangtu (a type of seaweed).

People celebrate late into the night by playing an hourglass-shaped drum (장구 janggu) and singing.

[16][17] In South Korea, going to a funeral involves praying for the deceased person to rest in heaven, and is related to filial piety.

Long ago, when medical science was unable to cure many diseases and malnutrition was common, infants rarely survived to their first birthday.

The number '60' signifies the completion of one big circle and the start of another in one's life, which is recognized as the traditional sexagenary cycle of the lunar calendar.

The celebration is customarily thrown by the children of the individual who is turning sixty, many relatives help by preparing an abundance of food.