"South Korea: It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World!" Top 5 Page for this destination South Korea by jburron

South Korea Travel Guide: 7,674 reviews and 15,911 photos

Many thanks to Ian for suggesting I put my more 'Korean' tips here and my more 'Seoul-centric' ones in my Seoul pages. At present I have 255 in total, split about 50/50--this will change, though as I am adding 2-3 a day lately (we'll see how long that lasts).

One thing about being here, many things are the opposite of how they are back home (wherever that may be); and those that are not 180 degrees opposite are simply different (anywhere from 5 to 175 degrees). My tips try to point out these differences but also give readers/travellers (i) some reasoning for this and/or (ii) how to live with it. (You can't change Korea, many nations have tried that for the last few millenia.)

I truly hope you enjoy these pages; I tried to make them interesting and informative and broad enough to cover the massive spectrum that is this place. If you have PC sensibilities you may not appreciate some of the tips--but that was not my objective: I simply want to report how things work here. Better to be forewarned than be caught off guard upon coming here.

Enjoy!

P.S. Please comment on and rate as many tips as you like--I appreciate the feedback.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Lots of bargains, ok weather, nice people.
Cons:Takes a while for us foreigners to figure things out.
In a nutshell:Everything is Different

Intro Updated Jan 7, 2005
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Reviews (148)

Kimchi chigae--now with more PORK! - South Korea

Sometimes Vegetarian Means a Little Meat Local Customs (90)

Basically, Koreans do not understand the term vegetarian(ism). I inquired about a small sign talking about bibimbap... more travel advice

Always Have New Socks On Local Customs (90)

Maybe it goes without saying, but if you're in a country where people take off their shoes at the door it makes sense to... more travel advice

Getting a better exchange rate on your... Local Customs (90)

A bud of mine just explained how his friends who were teaching in Korea got a good deal on their exchange rate.... more travel advice

"Have you eaten today?" "Why, yes, I have!" - South Korea

Odd greetings--until you know their... Local Customs (90)

Koreans sometimes seem to say some strange things. For instance, a couple of gyopos ('Koreans' born outside of Korea to... more travel advice

Shopping (4)
See All No Returns in the AM
Transportation (16)
See All No Parking Fines in Korea??
Warnings Or Dangers (24)
See All No Smoking! (Well, Almost)
Things to Do (5)
See All Excellent Street Snacks III
Restaurants (1)
Indo Food in Geoje-do

Nightlife (3)
See All A Better Club in Pusan/Busan
Favorites (3)
See All Pickup Lines
Sports & Outdoors (1)
Golfing In Korea
What to Pack (1)
Myth and Reality
Been to South Korea?
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Comments (27)

Greggor58 Jan 23, 2011 at 10:21 AM Report Abuse

Terrific information here...well written and humorous pages and tips that you've taken the time to share with us..THANKS!! Ill be back for more.. :o)
Arial_27 Jan 4, 2010 at 3:55 PM Report Abuse

Very interesting and descriptive page. Your red ink joke cracked me up, I've learned that from my students here in Busan who freaked out when I first made that mistake. Its cool to see the top SK page by another Canadian- Ill be back to read more later.
MarieSHI Oct 26, 2009 at 1:57 PM Report Abuse

When I was reading this I was a bit concerned, but then I remembered that I look korean so..no problem for me..haha^^
ClaraCho Oct 15, 2009 at 12:32 AM Report Abuse

Hi,I'm south korean and I'm surprised you know our customs more than us, you've written it very very very well!! But..I'm not sure about iv, because we just use 2 hands when we give sth to senior person. Right or left-we don't care about using any hand.
jongseob Jun 18, 2009 at 12:37 PM Report Abuse

And Koreans don't whistle because it is impolite to haul at someone in such fashion. (even Americans don't whistle at persons that they respect..)
waqas143 Jan 6, 2009 at 4:53 AM Report Abuse

Hi^^ How u doing?after a long time i come again in south korea.this time i,m hare in Busan,would u like to tell me about indian restaurant in Busan?
jumpingnorman Sep 28, 2008 at 10:46 PM Report Abuse

Excellent and comprehensive Korean pages - I have to visit it! And the oldest person pays the restaurant bill? Hmmmm....that scares me (I'm old!)...jumpingnorman
dbredahl Jun 27, 2008 at 6:22 PM Report Abuse

You won't find many Koreans whistling in public as this is construed as being rude, vulgar and of low standing, having little/no education. Look closer and you'll see that it's usually the scruffier looking dude working a blue collar job.
WStat May 20, 2008 at 10:31 AM Report Abuse

Excellent tips ! Wish, I had seen them before my last trip; but: it's never too late - again: congratulations for your expertise !
Mr.Sparkle Dec 27, 2007 at 12:23 AM Report Abuse

Great page and excelent tips. thinking about coming over in Feb.