Language & Communication
The Truth: English is spoken in tourist areas, major hotels, and by younger people. Outside that? Not so much. Older generations and local areas speak primarily Korean.
Survival Korean:
- 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) – Hello
- 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) – Thank you
- 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida) – Sorry/Excuse me
- 네 / 아니요 (ne / aniyo) – Yes / No
- 얼마예요? (eolmayeyo?) – How much?
- 화장실 어디예요? (hwajangsil eodiyeyo?) – Where’s the bathroom?
- 맛있어요 (masisseoyo) – It’s delicious
Communication Hacks:
- Use translation apps liberally
- Point at menu items or pictures
- Have hotel address written in Korean
- Smile and use hand gestures
- Learn to read Hangul (Korean alphabet)—it takes an hour and helps immensely
Cultural Etiquette
Do’s:
- Bow slightly when greeting or thanking
- Remove shoes when entering homes or some restaurants
- Receive items with both hands (respect gesture)
- Wait to be seated at restaurants
- Call servers with “저기요” (jeogiyo – “excuse me”)
- Respect personal space in public
Don’ts:
- Don’t blow your nose loudly in public (use bathroom)
- Don’t tip (seriously, it’s awkward for everyone)
- Don’t write names in red ink (associated with death)
- Don’t stick chopsticks upright in rice (funeral ritual)
- Don’t point with one finger (use whole hand)
- Don’t refuse when elderly people offer you food
Dining Etiquette:
- Wait for eldest to start eating
- Don’t lift bowls from table (unlike other Asian countries)
- It’s okay to slurp noodles
- Communal dishes = use serving spoons, not your chopsticks
- Splitting bills is common (going Dutch)
- If someone older pays, accept graciously and say you’ll get next time
Health & Safety
Safety: Seoul is incredibly safe. Like, “walk alone at 3 AM and the biggest danger is eating too much late-night food” safe. Violent crime is rare. That said:
- Watch belongings in crowded areas (pickpockets exist)
- Be aware after drinking in party areas
- Scams are rare but exist (overpriced taxis, tourist trap restaurants)
Health:
- Tap water is safe to drink
- Air quality can be poor (check AQI, wear masks on bad days)
- Pharmacies (약국 – yakguk) everywhere; some medications need prescriptions
- Hospitals are excellent and affordable
- Emergency number: 119 (ambulance/fire), 112 (police)
- Seoul has many international clinics with English-speaking staff
Travel Insurance: Get it. Medical care is good but costs money. Also covers trip cancellations, lost luggage, and that regrettable soju incident you’d rather not pay for out-of-pocket.
Random But Important Tips
Bathrooms:
- Called “화장실” (hwajangsil) or look for “WC” signs
- Free and generally clean
- Subway stations, cafes, shopping areas all have them
- Carry tissues (not all have toilet paper, though most do)
- Some traditional places have squat toilets (fun!)
Smoking:
- Not allowed indoors (restaurants, bars, cafes)
- Designated smoking areas outside
- Fines for smoking in non-designated areas
Drinking:
- Legal drinking age is 19 (Korean age, which is confusing)
- Soju will sneak up on you—pace yourself
- Drinking culture is big; it’s social, not necessarily about getting wasted
- Don’t pour your own drink—pour for others, they’ll pour yours
- Hold glass with both hands when elder pours for you
Sockets & Electricity:
- 220V, 60Hz
- Type C/F plugs (European-style)
- Bring adapters; some hotels provide them
Public Holidays: Know when they are—transport is packed, some things close:
- Lunar New Year (late Jan/early Feb) – 3 days
- Independence Movement Day (March 1)
- Buddha’s Birthday (May)
- Chuseok/Korean Thanksgiving (September/October) – 3 days
- National Foundation Day (October 3)
Final Wisdom:
- Don’t over-plan; wandering leads to best discoveries
- Eat at places packed with locals
- Download offline maps
- Pack patience for crowds
- Accept you won’t see everything—that’s why you’ll come back
- Have emergency cash stashed separately
- Register with Smart Traveller (Australian gov)
- Screenshot important info (addresses, bookings, emergency contacts)
Seoul is incredibly foreigner-friendly. You’ll figure things out, locals are generally helpful (even with language barriers), and you’ll have an amazing time. When in doubt, smile, bow slightly, and point at things.