In a formal setting (school, work, meeting another person's parents, etc.), Koreans bow in greeting, and they use formal language. For example, "Annyeong" is how you would say "Hello" normally, but in formal settings, it's more appropriate to say "Annyeonghasaeyo". The honorific "-shi" is also added to the end of the name of someone you have just met, or are not familiar with.
Informal greeting is the same as in America (saying hello, hugging, etc.).
Gestures & Visiting
- beckoning someone with your palm facing up is considered disrespectful, as it is a call supposed to be reserved for animals
- it is more polite to accept gifts of money and food with two hands; same goes with handing someone a gift
- before entering a home, you must remove your shoes/slippers, as a sign of respect towards the host and their home
Eating
- the oldest person should eat first before anyone else starts
- rice is normally eaten with a spoon at home/in restaurants, and the rice bowl is never lifted off the table
- it's bad luck to stick your chopsticks straight-up into the rice, as it resembles the incense burned as an offering to the dead
- when pouring a drink, you should support the bottom of the pitcher/bottle with your free hand; same goes for holding your cup (excluding casual situations, like if you're eating with close friends)
- if you end up taking more food than you can finish, it is considered wasteful; this should be avoided
