PLEASE Learn These Basic Etiquette Rules Before Coming To Korea

Hi everyone!
In my video today I will be talking about some of the basic etiquette and cultures in Korea and answering a few questions about the overall safety in Korea. Hope you guys enjoy it!!
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Tiktok: sienna.hong

[@thetrillianaire]

I wish more people here in the US cared about being quiet in public spaces. If we're in a crowded room, most people will just talk louder and louder to try to speak over the noise...whereas if everyone spoke quietly in the first place, then we'd all be able to hear. And traveling abroad with a group of Americans can be embarrassing for this reason!

[@siennahong]

:( yeah i was surprised by the noise level in the American subways. I do like how quiet and peaceful it is in Korea

[@jamestk656]

As a normal person, I'd be very wary of sitting on the hot pink seat when everything else is blue regardless of the signage around it. I mean as humans, we've certainly evolved the survival instinct of going "wait a minute... one of these things is not like the other. Uh oh crocodile pretending to be a log!" I feel like the type of person who obliviously sits on the hot pink seat would be the type to get eaten by the crocodile.

[@nicolelehcar3008]

This was genuinely helpful! This video really helps prepare people before visiting another country. Most people just go to other countries without having done basic research and expect countries to be somewhat similar to their own, when it obviously isnt.

[@steven9357]

My Korean friends say Daegu people in general are loud and it irritates them all the time. When we go to restaurants and cafés they try to find a table that is not next to Daegu Koreans lol. I must admit, many, not all of course, do appear to be loud for no reason; yelling to the person sitting across and/or next to them. All age groups here in Daegu have versions of these loud in public people. Maybe it’s because they have to be quite on subways and buses lol. I enjoy your videos!

[@rainypath96]

Thank you for these tips that are not really mentioned that much elsewhere. & girl you are so pretty

[@Sannypowa]

Thank you for your video, Sienna. Etiquette Rules videos are always very appreciated for travelers like me

[@raulmata3227]

I’m going to see my cousin next week! Super excited to go to Korea for my first time. Thanks for the video.

[@beijingbikinikill8608]

I had never heard of the lack of changing rooms and the makeup masks! I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks!🙏

[@arturovilla1642]

Sienna Hong is #1 !!!

[@monsieurmike2072]

Thank you for the advice. Will definitely give it some thought when I do visit in the near future. Much respect from NYC.

[@IreneAura8]

this is so helpful!! THANK YOU!

[@siennahong]

Glad it was helpful!

[@robert-antoinedenault5901]

I'm glad to see that you and many others similarly come here and give advice for "newcomers" on the do's and don'ts. Man, I feel like people aren't as adventurous as I was when i was younger (just dive into the unknown). The time I came to your side of the pond (after high school) was not only bizarre and strange but how people were scared/shy towards foreigners now that i am older (and wiser...I hope). I'd like to go again but as a man of a certain age (28 yrs later) my worries are where do people my age "hang"? Or are they all married and have families? If i go with my better half will I be stared upon as she is 17 yrs younger than I? I know that all the cities have changed; during the time I was in Seoul there was only 2 towers (skyscrapers) in the city at the time (a beautiful golden building and the LG Tower) and a top song that I still cherish: "To my (dear) mother" (same situation for me-ish). I'd like to see if they're still there (buildings) and see how much things have changed. The one thing I remember vividly was the construction of the Seoul world cup Stadium and seeing still a few rice paddy farms surrounding it and the train track beside a river (I think I still have that picture, lol) and as I was a carpenter (at the time) I had the opportunity (of my lifetime) of building and renovating both types of hanoks as a co-op program that was offered by my embassy (Canada). 나이 차이가 많이 나서 도와주지 못할 수도 있다는 건 알지만, 어떤 추천이라도 좋습니다. 미리 감사하다. Hope my hangul isn't that bad. lol😅😂😁 Au plaisir!

[@DrTakeu-ni2xw]

Yeah I will be appreciate your words

[@averybomb2]

So useful, I've been wanting to visit Korea!

[@The_Super_NOVA]

So helpful, thank you! Going to remember your tips for my trip this year!

[@siennahong]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jameel2076]

Hello Sienna subscribed to your channel wanted to learn more about Korea thank you for you're content left a like on your video hope you & everyone here have a great day

[@ElizabethdeLuna]

This is SO incredibly helpful! 🙏🏻 I’ve been to Korea a few times and still wasn’t aware of some of these tips. I’m so sorry that you were treated that way by male foreigners! It’s disgusting and I hope they were super embarrassed and ashamed when you replied in English.

[@siennahong]

Aw thank you so much lovely 🥰

[@tigroza]

Thank you for the video, I liked that you had some examples I just have one question about public transit: How loud are the subways in South Korea? I went to the closest one I have in Canada and the stations are insanely loud, nobody was speaking, everybody minding their business even if it was full during a weekend

[@canadarm2]

This was really helpful! Can you do one for Singapore and Thailand too?

[@dirkimy]

You are so gorgeous Sienna 😍

[@missmelay4086]

Thank you

[@Cute-2000]

Pink seats 🩷💺are for pregnant women and those two seats are for 💺💺💺💺💺the elderly people correct 👍 respect ✊🏾 5:08 people with Disabilities 😢😢😢 that’s very sad 😔 again respect ✊🏾 for elders and Disabled people and respect for each other

[@BoaConstrictor126]

I wish my fellow Americans had the same respect for other’s privacy that is expected in Korea

[@Ipromiseyounobodyismad]

The same amount of respect as the same people that place hidden cameras all over public bathrooms and hotel rooms?? Yeah nty

[@remuspierre7573]

Good advice

[@junelynbasco931]

Gomawo 😘

[@thisiscarsonian1097]

Hi Sienna! My wife and I both have a physical disability that limits our mobility/gives us chronic pain. I'm wondering, how welcomed/accommodated (in a broad sense) are people (even those who may not look it) who have a disability? Thanks! :)

[@cadehavard6077]

Always helpful Thank you

[@siennahong]

I'm glad you enjoyed this video!

[@cadehavard6077]

I am a big fan of your videos. But I don’t know if you have a normal job or influencer only?

[@siennahong]

@@cadehavard6077 i have 4 different jobs! I’ll post a video about my jobs soon, a lot of people seem to be curious:)

[@cadehavard6077]

@@siennahong Thank you I am curious as well.

[@Cute-2000]

👍👍👍👍👍👍 2:26

[@Cute-2000]

👍👍👍👍 3:34

[@liarliar1408]

Being a foreign, you can get away with things because you are not a native. If you know how to behave then that's great but if not, then you will learn in due time. I don't think the Korean locals are going to prosecute you for being a foreigner. Just like in the USA. If you look like fresh off the boat and you act like one, the Americans here will laugh n let it slide.

[@berithenback3590]

❤

[@mixedandknot5911]

Truly appreciate your time in these Korean etiquette. Very detailed. Thank you very much. In the USA, if I am purchasing from an Asian, I will hand them payment with both hands just to prepare myself in advance of a trip to Asia. Seriously!

[@hazelnut3794]

Beautiful and lovely Hong 🤩

[@mnomanzafar4352]

love from Dubai

[@Cute-2000]

Smart 😊 11:46

[@maisie1120]

what glitter is on your eyes? so pretty!

[@siennahong]

It’s CODE glitter! I previously posted a pink glitter makeup tutorial on my channel 💖

[@robbiekop7]

Gary Glitter 😖

[@elsolinjimenezcruz8479]

You look beautiful 😍

[@kwakud.2485]

Watching expressions South Korea vlog and the way he was so loud on the subway😂😂

[@robbiekop7]

Americans are louder than every other nationality it's a fact of life

[@gwennvy]

Learning how to use the Korean subway gives me anxiety 😖

[@zyx7478]

As a native New Yorker and an American I am always quiet in public places. My only problem is I do not like to drink alcohol so I would hate to go and offend a lot of people in Korea because they might offer me an alcoholic drink if I don’t take it they might think I’m rude I just don’t like the taste of alcohol I guess that’s just me. God bless the people of Korea, I’ve known many students from Korea when I studied Chinese in Taiwan.

[@Cute-2000]

112 that is the emergency number for south Korea 😯 😊😊😊😊😮😮😮😮😊😊😊 14:25

[@kevin_aldo]

Just it?

[@timothybush9633]

Hi Sienna ♥ Thanks for the tip but I'm from America, I'm a slob and I have no Etiquette LOL ♥

[@girlsforgirls1347]

عسل البنت

[@babo_p2215]

Another thing is that english speaking people dont even try to use a dictionary to get help in other countries like i get that theres a lot of people speaking english around the world but they dont even try to find words in foreign countries and just speaks english slower acting like as if they understand... like if you go to russia, learn russian if you go to china, learn chinese, if you go to japan, learn japanese instead of saying words slower expecting them to give you an answer. same goes to going to Korea.

[@BoaConstrictor126]

Any chance you can do a video on autism (also known as Aspergers) in Korea? Would greatly appreciate it

[@libertycan6959]

pretty lady

[@kachapavenam4533]

MY INDIANS FRIENDS LOVED YOUR VIDEOS AND IF POSSIBLE CAN YOU TRY DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE EATING INDIAN SNACKS OR DISHES OR TRY VISITING INDIAN STORE OR RESTURANT YOU WILL LOVE IT. ~ THANK YOU

[@siennahong]

Hi! Thank you so much for your support. I will definitely do a vlog on that soon!

[@Cute-2000]

That is no no 🍔🥤🚫 🚇🚎😊😊 7:52

[@Rogerdoger-bh8sj]

1:30 commute??? One way??? 🥴🥴🥴🥴🥴🥴🥴

[@met00meno65]

Vietnamese and Chinese are no manor Asians

[@robbiekop7]

Chinese have been known to eat a whole Hot Dog without even chewing 😳

[@XVIII7]

God you are beautiful~

[@Sunset553]

I’m surprised that people go to cafes after a restaurant meal. If I ever go to Korea, I would be alone. How old is “elder” in Korea? and what if you’re disabled, but it’s not visible? No matter how much etiquette I know, I have problems because I cannot stay focused on my environment for very long. It’s like I’m lost in a daydream, so I might miss the moments that I should do something or miss someone telling me something. Maybe I’ll just watch videos of Korea. lol

[@Poppy_love59]

While everyone is focused on how disrespectful it is for people to go to Korea and not know their etiquette rules. I wonder if you have made any posts reminding Koreans, that when in the U.S. things like Chewing with your mouth open, and or smoking indoors, passing gas in any form are likewise very rude in American and in fact most of the western world! Both things I have witnessed at epidemic proportions in Korea!

[@BatmanSpideyDa3rd]

Have you witnessed any of the un-etiquette examples you stated from Korean visitors in the U.S.? Or only in Korea? You weren’t very clear, which is why I’m asking. I have lived in Flushing Queens, New York, and I’ve yet to witness any Korean visitors, or Koreans in general who are living in the U.S. perform such acts in public.

[@Poppy_love59]

@@BatmanSpideyDa3rd I'm 1/2 Korean and have travelled extensively throughout Korea. I have seen and unfortunately heard Koreans doing both eating with their mouths open in fact it is absolutely common for them to do so, not to mention slurping their meals. you need only watch some Korean TV to see these behaviors on full display. And if Korean TV wasn't so heavily censored, you'd also see that pretty much every single restaurant in Korea allows smoking. Now as far as in the US if you went to any of the areas where many Koreans congregate such as in norther western states or New York City etc. you would see it maybe not as much as in Korea, but that is because people will tell them that it isn't acceptable in the US. just as Americans or many other western cultures learn when they go to Korea, if they are there for any appreciable length of time they too learn what Koreans expect in the way of Manners.

[@BatmanSpideyDa3rd]

@@Poppy_love59 I now fully understand what you’re saying. Thank you for that. It definitely makes sense that Koreans living in the U.S. do not perform un-etiquette-like behaviors due to others telling and advising them that it isn’t acceptable. During my 1 month stay in Seoul, and 1 week stay in Jeju Island, I did notice the slurping here and there. I understood that the act of slurping as loud as one could was to 'emphasize' how delicious the meal is. Whether it’s a good or bad thing, I myself ended up doing the same in certain instances. I honestly can’t recall if I came across the hindrance of smoke from smokers in the restaurants that I dined at in Seoul or Jeju, but I was aware that it was allowed in most cases. As for the loud chewing with the mouth fully open, I’m not sure if I missed it, or if I was just ignorant to the fact that it was happening around me. Then again, it’s understandable that 1 month isn’t enough time to truly delve and fully understand another country’s culture, regardless of how much one tries to educate themselves on it beforehand.

[@Poppy_love59]

@@BatmanSpideyDa3rd As a 1/2 Korean, my only point for saying these things is to point out the Log in the Posters eye. It was to me a very irritating event when I travelled to Korea, because their hypocrisy was overwhelming. They used to talk openly about Trump and how racist Americans were. But then try to explain just how racist Koreans are and they immediately try to blame that on only the old folks. But even in the US I have heard them bad mouthing the U.S and I get angry and ask them WTF are they doing in the US if they hate it so much. When they answer they admit it is to make money, that is it, that really is how shallow many Koreans are!

[@Dolly15595]

Tip number 1, Filipinos take note 😆

[@pleaseshutup7053]

If i go on vacation with the boys to Korea I can’t see us doing any of this lol.

[@charleswomack2166]

Are you referring to South Korea or North Korea? Or both? This list of etiquette is great, but not complete. I have heard that you must bow down before the statues od the Dear Leader(s)? Is this true? And what about photography? I have also heard that if you are taking a picture of the statue of Dear Leader, it must be a complete shot. And are you from Chosun(North Korea) or Nam Chosun(South Korea) aka Hanguk?

[@siennahong]

Oh no that’s north korea

[@charleswomack2166]

@@siennahong So, you are from Nam-Chosun or Hanguk?

[@almamater489]

2:38 in Europe we just call them Americans 😂

[@3orcs]

Why should I learn? Im american. Just being there I am liked no matter how I behave ;)😉

[@WildberryAB]

Too bad so many other countries including mine (Canada) have forgotten how to be respectful of others like South Koreans are to their own people and to foreigners.

[@cckadlec]

With all these rules in mind, after you have lived in Korea for many years, it's really hard to go back to a country like the US that is generally loud, disrespectful, and has no sense of social order. There are obviously pros and cons to both sides though. Here in the states, there is more personal freedom to express yourself, so you end up with no social order like there is in Korea. But in Korea, that kind of burden of social order confines citizens to more of a Hell Joseon scenario that feels like a miserable trap. The subway is so nice and quiet, but in the states, it's just like... people don't give two fucks who they are interrupting - do you really think it's okay to blast your music in a crowded subway car as if you are the most important person? But when you haven't lived in Korea, you don't give it much thought. When you have followed these rules for so many years, it's hard to not continue doing so when you go back to your birth country. It really changes you as a person, for better or worse, because there isn't much etiquette here at all. On the other hand, people who you don't know will come up to you and ask how your day is, which you'd never think twice about. But after living in Korea, it's like "hi!" but in the back of your mind you're telling yourself "who are you and why are you talking to me? I don't know you! Danger danger!" And that is one of those social rules that, though it makes sense in Korea's social hierarchy and the way people are socially connected, Korea could really do without. I moved back to the states 6 years ago and still think like that: "if I don't know you and have no social connection with you, you are just another person to me," like worker ants doing their tasks paying no mind to the other ants. I think. Maybe they do say hi as they walk by each other? I actually wrote a whole 18-page article on all these quirks of Korea, from couples shirts to brushing your teeth at school, appliances and school bells using lullabies, corn on pizza, convenience stores, etc. at www.chriskadlec.com/projects/good-and-bad. Love your videos and your point of view and depiction of the reality of Korea is always spot-on.

[@realjx313]

Countries like South Korea, Japan, Philippines, Thailand have had a large US military presence for too long and they kinda have a very distorted image of the world. Stop equating foreigners with Americans, everyone is offended when that is done. The US is 4% of the global population and only a small fraction of them are not gonna be aware of their surroundings- search online, Europeans complain all the time that Americans are too loud. Anyway, almost everything you mention is not necessary to be mentioned but things like taking a gift with both hands, age being more relevant, drinking customs are what most wouldn't know. Try to travel a bit when you can.

[@stevelarson3391]

Are there a lot of sex workers in South Korea?

[@robbiekop7]

Thailand is the Mecca for those

[@stevelarson3391]

@@robbiekop7 Yeah, but Korean women are hotter! Lololol

[@ashlisarang5381]

Pretty helpful. Thank you Sienna 14:45: I cant believe people travel to other countries and do that mess. Sorry that happened to you🤍☹️.