6 Things About Korean Culture | Superstitions & Manners & Etiquette.

(That video was published on 20 November 2013.)

#1: Writing People's Names in Red Ink.

This is a part of the culture of Korean superstitions. Usually, the names of people that have already passed away would be written in red ink. So ... it could probably be considered as "taboo" (or maybe even "a bad omen") to write the name of a living person in red ink. Maybe it could probably be mistaken as wanting someone (that is alive) to die if you write their name in red ink.

#2: Seating Placement(s) in Cars.

In America, the front seat ("shotgun") other than the driver's seat is sometimes considered as one of the most honourable places to sit, whereas, in Korea, that place would be in the back right seat.

#3: Touching the Top of an Elder Person's Head / the Top of a Person's Head.

In Korea, it's considered as rude to touch the top of an elder person's head. Or maybe even just people's heads in general. (This actually seems to also be true for a lot of parts of Asian culture in general.) I am not Buddhist, and I am not endorsing Buddhism, but, apparently, here's this information: "In Buddhist culture the head is the highest part of the body and thought of as sacred. The feet, on the other hand, are the lowest part of the body and considered dirty." And, of course, certain Asian countries have large Buddhist populations, so even if a person isn't necessarily a part of that religion, some of the general culture could probably have just been influenced by it and / or by some other (not necessarily religious) beliefs in general (when it comes down to manners & etiquette ... for an example).

#4: Slurping Those Noodles.

In Korea, one reason that a person might be noisily slurping their noodles could just be related to the temperature of them, but it could also be seen as being respectful to and / or as a compliment to the chef. In America, that might be seen as improper and / or as unmannerly (due to the noise and due to possibly even being kind of messy). But different cultures might have different views on certain things sometimes.

#5: Scraping All of the Food Off of the Serving Utensils.

In Korea, not scraping all of the food off of a serving utensil after giving yourself a portion of food could maybe be seen as being prosperous and / or as being thankful for what you have, but scraping all of the food off of a serving utensil might make it seem like you don't have enough food and / or  that you're poor (because - apparently - that is what is done for the people that are poor?).

#6: Don't Cross Your Legs and / or Point Your Toes Around Your Elders.

(?) This one might just be seen as rude, I guess. (?)

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