Posted on October 25, 2014
Growing up, we are taught by others to never speak when our mouth is full or leave the table without excusing yourself beforehand. These rules may apply to many different countries, but Korea has some different rules that must be followed when having a meal. Here are 10 table manners that you should keep in mind when visiting Korea.
1. Sit in the right place at the right time
In Korea, it is polite to sit down after all the elders have already taken their seats. It is also important to remember that seating is arranged in social ranking whether it is a job ranking or age. The seating is arranged so that the lowest rank sits closest to the door while the others follow.
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2. Say thank you before and after
Koreans expect that before every meal, especially if you are eating at another person’s house, you should say “jal meokkessumnida”, which means “I will enjoy the meal” or “I will eat well.” When you finish eating, it is expected that you say “jal meokkeoseumnida”, which means “Thank you for the meal” or “I ate well.”