What are you not allowed to wear in South Korea?

1. Clothing etiquette. While short-shorts and skirts are commonplace for women in Korea's major cities, exposed shoulders and low-cut tops are still considered taboo most places. Summers get hot in South Korea, so loose-fitting t-shirts are a good alternative to tank tops.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on worldnomads.com


Is there a dress code in South Korea?

However, be aware that it is also a conservative country so avoid showing cleavage, keep shoulders covered and if you have a short skirt do as the local women do and take a pashmina or wrap to cover your knees when you are sitting. In restaurants with floor-style seating opt for a long loose skirt or pants for modesty.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on whattowearonvacation.com


What things are not allowed in South Korea?

Guns, narcotics, pornography, subversive material, treasonous material, and counterfeit goods are prohibited from entering Korea.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on trade.gov


What things are disrespectful in South Korea?

If it's considered rude in your country, it's probably considered rude in Korea. Things such as spitting, shouting, hitting people, swearing, and generally being obnoxious are definitely rude in Korea.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on inmykorea.com


Is it OK to wear leggings in Korea?

You don't want to wear a leggings on the streets in Korea unless you wanna be on the spot. If you happen to wear a leggings at work or school, everyone will probably stare at you bluntly and might think your outfit is inappropriate.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on uofhorang.com


12 Strange Things in South Korea That Surprise an Inexperienced Traveler



Is cleavage allowed in Korea?

Although it is becoming more acceptable with modern Korean fashion, there are still reservations about showing cleavage. Even if there are tops or blouses with cleavage, women take extra precaution generally when sitting, bending, and bowing.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on pixstory.com


Do they use condoms in South Korea?

Condoms are considered crucial, cost-effective, and easily accessible for preventing STDs and HIV. However, condom use by young people is extremely low in South Korea; previous studies show that about 50–80% of emerging adults do not use condoms during sexual intercourse.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ncbi.nlm.nih.gov


What clothes are inappropriate in Korea?

While short-shorts and skirts are commonplace for women in Korea's major cities, exposed shoulders and low-cut tops are still considered taboo most places. Summers get hot in South Korea, so loose-fitting t-shirts are a good alternative to tank tops.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thehealthyjournal.com


What is unlucky in Korea?

Every culture has a number considered unlucky because of superstitions. In the United States it's 13. In South Korea, it's four. The reason behind the fear of the number four, known as tetraphobia, lies in the way it sounds. The Korean word for "four" sounds much like their word for "death."
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nbcbayarea.com


What are the weirdest laws in South Korea?

10 Things You Didn't Know Are Illegal in Korea
  • Tattooing. Whilst having a tattoo is not illegal in Korea – though may ban you from entering some jjimjilbangs! ...
  • Smoking in Public. ...
  • Dog Meat (보신탕) ...
  • Lobbying. ...
  • Sheer Tops (indecent exposure) ...
  • Street Vendors. ...
  • Gambling (Casinos) ...
  • Online Gaming (Cinderella Law)
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on 10mag.com


What does crossing legs in Korean mean?

Crossing your legs is seen as being lazy or disrespectful to the other person. Therefore, you should sit up straight and keep your hands on your lap. Takedown request | View complete answer on inmykorea.com.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on calendar-canada.ca


What are some Korean rules?

Korean etiquette and manners
  • Korean etiquette and manners. By Sidrah Shaheen. ...
  • Receive things with two hands. ...
  • Show appreciation for your food and those who make or treat you to it. ...
  • Order of eating. ...
  • Do not let your chopsticks stand straight. ...
  • Drinking etiquette. ...
  • Handshakes.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on overseas.mofa.go.kr


Can you hug in South Korea?

Although the culture around hugging is changing, hugging in Korea is generally reserved for couples or for close friends or family that are saying goodbye for a long while. Instead, if you want some skin, you can opt for the universally acceptable high-five ;).
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on seoulistic.com


What should girls wear in Korea?

High-Waisted Bottoms With Tops Tucked In

This is something you will see on the streets of Seoul a lot. With very few exceptions, girls usually tuck their tops and blouses in the waistline of their skirts, shorts, and pants. Also, low waist bottoms are not popular in Korean fashion.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on 90daykorean.com


Can you wear blue jeans in Korea?

In North Korea, blue jeans are seen as a symbol of American imperialism and are thus forbidden. The same is true for other Western clothing items such as T-shirts, skirts, and suits. Instead, citizens are required to wear traditional Korean clothing such as hanboks.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on travelcontinuously.com


Can you wear sleeveless tops in Korea?

South Korea might be more conservative than you're used to. Practice modesty as much as possible. For women, this means avoiding low-cut tops or tank tops that expose the shoulders. Short skirts aren't as frowned upon, but be sure to bring a silk wrap to cover your legs when seated.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thehealthyjournal.com


What should I avoid in Korea?

What Not to Do in Seoul on Your 1st Visit
  • Only staying in Myeongdong or Dongdaemun.
  • Skipping Seoul's natural attractions.
  • Talking loudly on public transportation.
  • Using one hand to receive/give something.
  • Sitting on subway seats reserved for the elderly/pregnant women.
  • Wearing shoes inside someone's home.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on hotels.com


What does 4 mean in Korea?

The number 4 is a symbol of bad luck. In elevators, the letter F indicates the fourth floor instead of the number 4. The pronunciation of the number 4 sounds similar to the word '死' which means death in Chinese characters. In China and Japan, the number 4 is also associated with misfortune or death.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on en.wikipedia.org


What colors are bad luck in Korea?

Is red an unlucky Colour in Korea? This is traditionally taboo because the color red to Koreans used to symbolize death. The belief was that if a person's name was written in red, death or bad luck would come soon.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thehealthyjournal.com


What not to do as a foreigner in Korea?

Here are 10 things you should never do in South Korea.
  • Speak Loudly in Public. ...
  • Sit Randomly When Using Public Transportation. ...
  • Wear Revealing Clothes. ...
  • Leave Your Chopsticks Stuck in Rice. ...
  • Use One Hand to Receive or Give Things. ...
  • Don't Drink While Front-Facing The Elders. ...
  • Don't Start Eating Before the Elders.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ubitto.com


Do Koreans use bed sheets?

Sheets. In South Korea, it is most common to simply have a fitted sheet over your mattress. I have rarely seen full sets of sheets that are common in the States. You quickly get used to sleeping directly under your comforter but don't go shopping a wonder why you can't find anything but fitted sheets.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ciee.org


Do they flush toilet paper in Korea?

There's no trash can inside a public bathroom for hygiene reasons. You have to flush toilet paper. It's water-soluble so there's no need to worry about clogging. But other bathrooms in restaurants and cafes usually ask people to throw toilet paper into the trash can due to low water pressure.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on uofhorang.com


Do they sleep on the floor in South Korea?

But while the foreign conventions of individual bedrooms and raised beds have long been popular in Korea, it's still common for generations to co-sleep on the floor, particularly when a newborn baby joins the family.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on apartmenttherapy.com


Do they use tampons in Korea?

Tampons are available in Korea and can be found in supermarkets and well-stocked convenience stores. However, compared to the variety of pads available, the tampon corner will be lacking. Tampons in Korea still come in different sizes such as regular (레귤러), and super (슈퍼).
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on expatguidekorea.com
Previous question
Who is the youngest undisputed?