In Korean culture, there are many general and dining etiquette rules that the general public follows. As a Korean-American who grew up following both Korean and American etiquettes, I sometimes get mixed up. I also don’t know every single etiquette rule, and I thought it would be interesting to learn more about the etiquettes in Korean culture.
Knowing and following Korean table manners is very important because it shows your respect towards those who prepared the food and to the Korean culture in general. One of the most common and important rule is to tell the person who prepared the food or the head of the household that you will eat well. The phrase said before eating the meal is “잘먹겠습니다" (jalmeokgesseumnida). When you are done with the meal, you have to say “잘먹었습니다" (jalmeokeosseumnida) which means “Thank you I ate well.” Another common rule is to wait for the oldest to eat first. However, the oldest person in the room could also tell you to eat first, and that is when you could eat before them. Another rule is to not extend your reach too far across the table. It’s best to try not to extend your arms so far into the table that your elbows past the edge of the table. If you want food that is too far away from you, it’s best to ask someone else to pass that dish to you instead. Finally, it’s important to know which utensils to use for the dishes. Koreans mainly use spoons and chopsticks, the spoons are for the rice and soups while the chopsticks are used for everything else. One superstition regarding chopsticks is that they should not be stuck into your rice bowls as it is known to bring bad luck. This is because when the chopsticks are stuck in the rice bowls sticking up, it looks similar to the incense sticks that are stuck in the ground at Korean funeral sites.
Aside from dining etiquettes, there are also general etiquettes to follow which will show that you respect Korean culture. Because Korean culture really emphasizes hierarchy, either by social or age, it is important to follow the etiquettes to show that you respect them. For example, when shaking hands, it is important to shake hands with both hands instead of just one. When greeting an older person, it is also important to bow to around 45 degrees to show your respect for the elder. Some people also tend to bow when shaking hands with someone older. It is also important to pour a drink with two hands. If the person is younger than you, it is okay to pour with one hand.
Body language is also very important in Korean culture. Koreans do not like to be touched by someone they are not close with or if they are not their family. Comparing it to the American culture, it is very different because many people tend to hug each other even when they are not too close.It is also considered rude to cross your legs or completely stretch your legs out in front of you. Another body language is to never point with your index finger, but use your palms instead.
The reason for all of the Korean etiquette is because the Confucian culture was once dominant in South Korea. The main idea of confucianism is the importance of having a good moral character, and this affects the world through the idea of cosmic harmony. It also emphasizes the respect for ancestors, age, and seniority. These beliefs from the Confucian culture have continuously been influencing Korean culture, albeit to a lesser extent than in the past as the society is always advancing.
https://www.britannica.com/place/South-Korea/Cultural-institutions
https://www.90daykorean.com/korean-table-manners/
https://theculturetrip.com/asia/south-korea/articles/a-guide-to-korean-table-manners/
Comments
Amy,
This was definitely very interesting to read, and as a fellow Korean-American myself, I also relate how I oftentimes get Korean and American etiquette/language confused. It is like I am constantly living this dual identity, yet also no identity. There are times where I would say "잘먹겠습니다" in front of my non-Korean friends, and where I forget to say it during dinner with my family.