Acceptable S. Korean Table Manners

During the time I have been friends with Seyoung and when I visited S. Korea in person, I have learned quite a few things about Korean table manners. They have many rules for when they eat compared to our own., but if you are eating with a Korean family, visiting Korea, or working in Korea as a foreigner try not worry about it to much.

Because S. Koreans are normally very understanding but if you want to make a good first impression what I am about to list will help. Many of these rules deal with respect for your elders and those around you.

Polite, respectful behavior, and manners during your Meal.

• Waiting for the elder of the group to sit down first before you take your seat.
• Waiting for the oldest person to lift their spoon or chopsticks to eat before you do.
• Take your time eating and do not finishing before your elders.
• Eating rice with a spoon.
• Eat soups with a spoon.
• Picking up things to put in your plate with chopsticks.
• Pour drinks or others first, with elders and seniors at the top of that list.
• When someone refills your drink hold it with both hands. With elders, have one holding the glass then have the other holds the bottom of the glass..
• When refilling someone else's drink support your hand with your other or support your elbow.
• Place your chopsticks or spoon back on the table.
• Do not waste food, eat only what you need, and don't take excessive amounts of food.
• Always thank the person who treated you to a meal in their home or in public.
• If you have to sneeze or cough at the table always turn away and cover your mouth while doing so.
• If you use a toothpick at the table cover your mouth so no one else can see.
• When drinking alcohol with an elder turn to the side to take a drink.

Rude table behavior.

• Blowing your nose at the table.
• Touching everything and moving the food in the main bowls with your chopsticks to much.
• Pouring your own drink.
• Refusing Alcohol from an elder.
• Sticking your chopsticks straight up in your bowl of rice. This is because it looks like traditional Korean ancestor ceremonies.
• Making allot of noise during your meal and eat as quiet as possible with your chopsticks or spoons..
• Talking while chewing your food.
• Leaving the table before the elders.
• Coughing or sneezing facing the table.
• Eating anything but finger foods with your hands.
• Reading something at the table while eating.
• Watching TV while eating.
• Having your spoon and chopsticks in the same hand while eating.
• Stabbing food with your chopsticks.
• Staring at an elder while drinking.

Please note that this is what I have learned over the years from observing others or talking with my friend Seyoung. It may or may not be correct being this is from my point of view.