Seoul Local Custom Tips by kdoc13

As an Interpreter for the Deaf, I was used to making gestures with my hands which I thought were safe. In fact, I still do American Sign Language at times and don't even realize it. So, the importance of gestures perhaps affects me more than others, but still there are some general things which you just don't do. And I hope this will help clear a few of them up.

The Finger: there are many worldly versions of this, and unfortunately I discovered that the American Sign Language shape for the letter "T" is one of those. It is made by making a fist, with your thumb between the middle finger and pointing finger. The tip of the thumb is then pointed at someone. DO NOT DO THIS. unless that is you want someone to jump you and hurt you. It is not good. The same can be said for the backwards V and the American favorite of the middle finger. Korea has a mixture of influences, and all three are known. For those who like to point at text in a book or something with their middle finger, I would break myself of the habit now, lest you expect some sort of consequence.

The beckoning finger: This is a little bit less common, but another Western thing. The repeated curling of the pointing finger with the palm up, meaning for a person to come to you. I have been told that Koreans only do that to their dogs, and to do it to a Korean is very insulting. The way to avoid this is simple, keep the plam facing down and wiggle the fingers.

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Gentlemen, take my advice on this, never ever give a Korean Woman White Roses. I know, it seems a bit odd, but trust me. I once dated a Korean woman and thought I would give her flowers. The place I was buying them from were out of red roses, so I decided white would be nice. When I gave them to her, she broke them apart and threw them at my head in the middle of a busy airport.

It was only later that I learned that white roses are apparently for funerals, and giving them to a woman is not a good thing. Suk-Hee interpreted this as meaning I wanted her dead. Oops!

What I would do instead, make sure you know what type of flowers they like, if not go with a colorful bunch of them. Or better yet, skip the flowers and go with a small gift, if you know what they like.

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If you have read my other pages, you have probably seen this already, if not, pay attention. It just may save your life!

For the uninitiated, the Asian style toilet is supposed to be more sanitary than the western ones. However they are a little confusing to the savages from the west. So, here is a little primer on the privies of the far east.

Most importantly, bring toilet paper and towels with you as they are not always provided in public facilities! The other thing to remember is that some places charge for use of their facilities, so bring change otherwise you may be on the outside looking in. This is especially true in Japan, not so much in Korea, although some places do.

First thing to know, the front of the toilet is the raised curved part below the tank in the picture here. You stand with legs on either side of the basin and drop your pants around your knees. Next, you squat over the basin, and go about business, making sure to keep your balance while you do.

The next part is the trickiest, to flush the paper or not. There is some debate over this. Many Asian style toilets will have a small trash can next to them with a plastic bag in them, I have been told this is where you place the soiled paper. But I have also seen ones that don't have this little can. If that is the case, I have assumed that it is ok to flush the toilet paper there. I am waiting for someone with more experience to correct me on this, so far none have.

If you are in some places in Asia, there may be a pair of slippers outside the door. This is so you don't dirty your own shoes, or in case you are in your socks.

If you are at the home of a person who has an Asian style toilet, don't be afraid to ask them how to use one, it is not uncommon, and you won't lose face for doing so. For further instruction, see the web page linked below for general instructions.

Lastly, public toilets are very hard to find in Korea. The key word to know is Hwajongshil. Most of the locals can point you in the right direction from there.

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Website: http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~AD8Y-HYS/movie.htm