Drinking in Korea requires serious etiquette and stamina. Drinking in Korea isn't the same as it is here in America. There, drinking is a type social bonding that most Koreans are accustomed to. There are also rules to keep in mind in order to avoid offending anyone.
1. Never poor your own drink. Pouring another person's drink is a sign of respect and is a gesture that encompasses ideas of affection and friendship. Pouring your own drink seems like a rejection of this concept and can be seen as indifference or rudeness.
2. If an elder pours you a drink, drink it. This has to do with the age hierarchy. Whatever an elder wants you to do, do it.
3. Make sure your companions' glasses are never empty. Pour for others.
4. While someone is pouring a drink for you, make sure to hold the cup out with one hand and to hold your wrist with the other. You can also hold the cup with two hands. Do the same when pouring an elder a drink.
5. Turn your back to anyone of higher rank or older age as you drink.
5. Don't be the person who parades through the streets screaming after drinking. Keep it together.
People will also encounter many stops throughout the night. Like I said, drinking = social bonding. There will be many stops during this time of bonding. First, is usually dinner and soju (it's one of Korea's most popular alcohol beverages). Stop two might be at a Hof, a Korean bar where people order snacks with their beer. The highlight of the night might be stop three which is usually at a noraebang (karaoke room). To wrap up the night, those who are left will move to a nightclub or disco place. Koreans party hard.
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