Use the sign, staff instruction and setting in front of you rather than a rigid list of national stereotypes. The practical goal is to avoid blocking movement, entering a space incorrectly or misunderstanding how a meal or accommodation works.
At a station or on public transport
- Keep doors, gates and escalator approaches clear while checking your phone.
- Let passengers leave before you enter and follow the queue markings.
- Use handrails and follow the escalator signs rather than assuming one universal standing/walking rule.
- Keep conversation and device audio considerate of people nearby.
- Recognise priority seating and allow access for people who need it.
With a suitcase, solve the route before stopping at a narrow gate. If the transfer is unclear, step into a suitable waiting area and open the map workflow instead of blocking the exit.
Shoes: look for the boundary
At a home, accommodation or floor-seating room, look for a shoe rack, a raised floor or an instruction to remove shoes. Do not assume every restaurant uses the same arrangement. The tourism authority’s cultural guidance notes shoe removal for ondol rooms; ask staff if the boundary is unclear. KTO visitor guidance.
Useful short phrases
| Korean | Meaning | When it helps |
|---|---|---|
| 여기 앉아도 돼요? | May I sit here? | A table or space may be reserved or unavailable. |
| 신발 벗어야 해요? | Should I take off my shoes? | The room-entry boundary is unclear. |
| 사진 찍어도 돼요? | May I take a photo? | A display, worship area or private setting may restrict photography. |
| 감사합니다. | Thank you. | After help, service or clarification. |
At a meal or café
Check whether you order at a counter, kiosk or table. Follow the establishment’s tray-return and dish arrangement rather than assuming staff will clear every space. If the menu has a minimum order or time limit, resolve it before occupying the table.
Tipping is not generally customary in Korea, but do not turn that into a claim that no establishment can have a stated service charge. Read the actual bill and booking terms. The KTO guidance linked above describes the general convention.
Photos and neighbourhoods
Ask before photographing an identifiable person at close range. Keep residential doors, narrow lanes and business entrances clear. A place appearing on a travel map does not make every doorway or private courtyard a public attraction.
Trash and shared facilities
Use the marked disposal area and separate items as the site instructs. Keep rubbish with you until there is a suitable bin; do not leave it beside an overflowing container. At accommodation, ask the host how that building handles rubbish rather than following a rule from another property.
This guide provides situational examples and translations, not a claim that all Koreans expect one formal ritual. Instructions at the venue take priority over a generic travel tip. For everyday shopping, see the convenience-store guide.