23/08/2026
There are things in Korea that would put other countries into a coma. Korea has some unique habits that, for better or for worse, may surprise you when you first land. Prepare yourself by knowing some of these unique situations:
HAIR ROLLERS AS A PUBLIC ACCESSORY
You will often see young women walking down the street, sitting on the subway, or at a cafe with a giant plastic hair roller locked firmly into their bangs. Here, nobody bats an eye. They are simply preserving their style and fighting the intense humidity to make sure they always look their best.
POST-SURGERY PUBLIC TRANSIT
In Korea, plastic surgery and skincare treatments aren't taboo, and a ton of people undergo procedures. Spotting people walking around major shopping districts like Apgujeong or Myeongdong with full facial bandages, nose splints, or chin compression gear is entirely ordinary. People don't stare or point as it's a common scene. Many tourists will often be found walking around with these bandages as well.
THE IMMEDIATE AGE QUESTION
Someone you just met will ask your exact age within the first five minutes of conversation. It is not a boundary violation or a weirdly personal curiosity. It's similar to how we, in the West, will jump to asking about careers. The language literally depends on your age. Don't be shy, and just answer.
Pro-tip: when asked, answer with the year you were born rather than your actual age.
THE TWO-HAND RULE
Watch how locals hand over a credit card, pour a drink, or receive a dish at a restaurant. They will always use both hands, or support their right forearm with their left hand to show respect. Shoving a card or a glass toward someone with a single hand signals a lack of manners.
THE DOOR SLAM
Don't expect the person walking in front of you to hold the heavy glass door open at the store. They will let it swing right back into your face without looking behind them. It is not malicious or intentionally aggressive. If they do not know you, you are essentially invisible to their immediate spatial awareness.
LINE CUTTING
Elderly residents will occasionally bypass a line entirely or nudge right past your shoulder to secure a seat on the train. While it doesn't happen daily, don't be surprised if it does. Either decide if it's worth it to argue, or just let it go.
PERSONAL SPACE
The Western concept of a generous personal bubble does not exist in crowded subway cars or busy neighborhood markets. People will bump shoulders, press against your back during rush hour, or push past without offering an apology. It's just a part of being in one of the most populated cities in the world.
THE THROAT CLEAR
You will frequently hear a loud, deeply guttural throat-clearing sound right before someone clears their throat (aka, hocks a loogie) directly onto the pavement. It is a common public habit among older demographics, as well as those smoking outside.
UNCOVERED COUGHS
It is common to see people sneeze or cough directly into the open air without covering their mouths. While mask-wearing is frequent for fine dust pollution, the standard western etiquette of covering a sudden cough is not always observed in public spaces.
THE SAFETY
You can leave your laptop, your wallet, and your new phone completely unattended on a cafe table while you go to the restroom for fifteen minutes. Nobody touches it. People drop expensive smartphones on the floor of a crowded train, and someone will literally run after them to return it. It's one of the things I love the most about living here.
THE FREE SIDE DISH RENEWAL
When you sit down for a meal, a ton of small plates known as "banchan" will arrive on your table before you even touch your main dish. If you empty a plate of kimchi or marinated spinach, you can simply request a refill or head to a communal "Self" bar to replensih. It is free, it is expected, and it is one of the great things about dining out in Korea.
THE SPEED OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE
The entire transport system operates with precision. Subways arrive down to the exact second, the cars are immaculately clean, and the seats are actively heated during the freezing winter months. You can travel around the entire city, across multiple lines, without a single delay. If you're taking the KTX or catching a flight, expect it be on time - so don't be late!
What surprised you when traveling to South Korea?
