Whether it is a vacation or work and study experience, anyone who is about to travel to South Korea has to deal with a very different culture, tradition, and language from those in the West. It is known that different cultures involve different customs, so before landing in Seoul it will be necessary to familiarize yourself with some basic rules and forms of greeting necessary to avoid incurring embarrassing customary errors and seem so disrespectful. The Korean people are very welcoming and hospitable to tourists and foreigners without ever losing their typical discretion and discretion that has always characterized them. Humility, patience, and attention are central to being able to communicate well with the Korean people, indeed here excessive courtesy is highly appreciated.
First of all, it is important to know that in Korea it is essential to respect the social hierarchy that is structured from the forms of greeting. For example, when you know an older individual, you bow and wait for him to extend his hand first and then tighten it using both hands. A Western woman can shake hands with a South Korean while a local cannot do the same with a foreigner. When addressing a Korean, it is good to use his title followed by the family name, unless different indications have been expressed. They are very nationalists and proud of their country so it’s good to always be positive in the interaction and show a lot of interest in their culture by asking questions.
FOCUS ON … THE DIFFERENT FORMS OF GREETING
안녕
Anyoung pronounced Ahn-YOH
This is the most famous way to informally greet.
It is used to greet friends or relatives who are the same age or younger or for people with whom you are familiar. It is absolutely not used to greet the elderly or people who have a superior authoritarian position, as teachers and judicial figures and, a fortiori, we must never use it in the first interaction with strangers.
The translation of this greeting sounds like something like “you’re okay” or “stay at peace”.
안녕하세요
anyoung haseyo, pronounced ahn-yoh hah-say-yoh.
It is used in most circumstances because it is considered a polite and respectful greeting and suitable for any meeting. In the western world there are different forms of greeting based on the time of day: “good morning”, “good evening”; in Korea, however, there is no such distinction and anyoung haseyo is used at any time of the day. This greeting literally translates as “I hope you are well”.
안녕하십니까
anyoung hashimnikka, pronounced an-yoh hashim-nee-kah.
It is the most formal greeting and is used when you want to show greater respect towards figures who hold important roles. For example an important guest, professors, strangers but also among loved ones who have not seen each other for a long time to express greater joy in the meeting through the greeting.
So the hands have an indispensable role to build social contacts and become a valuable tool to establish a good approach. If you have rough, dry hands, soften them with Skin IV’s Aloe Vera Hand Mask for deep nutrition and immediate softness and immediately make an excellent impression in Korea and beyond.
