Public displays of affection (PDA) in Korea are generally more reserved than in many Western countries. While holding hands, linking arms, or small pecks on the cheek are becoming more common, particularly among younger couples, anything more than that is often frowned upon in public spaces.
Holding hands, giving a peck, or even a kiss is a usual sight. In many ways, the level of PDA acceptable in South Korea may surprise you. Korean couples are eager to express their affection toward each other in public than people in Europe or even American cultures.
Many Koreans go by the “three date rule.” So after they've seen someone for three dates, the expectation is that you like them enough to have seen them three times, so you should become a couple. And probably 100 days later, if you really like someone, you'll get a Korean couple ring to put a marker on your territory.
In South Korea, passionate kisses and lingering hugs are considered tacky and inappropriate when they occur in public. Rather, they're seen as special, romantic moments that should be shared with your partner in a private setting.
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Is hugging a big deal in Korea?
No hugging: Unless you're close friends, avoid hugging or touching people in Korea. It can make strangers uncomfortable, especially older individuals. Be mindful of body language: Be cautious with your body language. Crossing your legs in front of someone or waving your arms around near others can be seen as impolite.
Similarly, in many parts of Asia including China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Taiwan. PDA is seen as less common and less accepted than in Western countries. Public displays of affection can be considered disrespectful, particularly in more traditional or conservative areas.
These include smoking in prohibited areas, littering, jaywalking, drunk and disorderly behaviour, running away from restaurants without paying for meals, urinating or defecating in public, using a fake ID, and trespassing and breaking into empty houses.
Some important laws to be aware of include the strict anti-drug policy, with severe penalties for possession or use of illegal substances. Smoking is prohibited in many public places, including restaurants, bars, and public transportation. It's also illegal to take photographs of military installations or personnel.
South Koreans consider it a personal violation to be touched by someone who is not a relative or close friend. Touching, patting, or back slapping is to be avoided during interactions. In addition, direct eye contact between juniors and seniors should be avoided because it is seen as impolite or even a challenge.
Despite the 40-hour workweek cap, South Korea's labor law permits employees to work more than 8 hours in a day without violating the law, as long as the total weekly working hours do not exceed 52 hours. This system gives businesses flexibility.
detail. The so-called "333 law of brushing teeth" has been regarded as the golden rule of oral health, meticulously, for 3 minutes within 3 minutes of eating three times a day. Recently, however, there has been a suggestion among experts that it may not be right.
Thus, in Korea, some couples continue living in the same house, but choose to sleep in separate rooms (SSR) for a time period to avoid or resolve extant conflict; this starkly differs from marital conflict strategies in other countries that leads to separation or divorce [6-7].
In practical terms, hand-holding can also start oxytocin production, which can help one to feel closer and more connected to someone and also reduce cortisol response to stress. In Western cultures, spouses and romantic couples often hold hands as a sign of affection or to express feelings of closeness.
For newly met people around your age, it is still safer to remain formal in your speaking until you are close enough to ask for permission to speak casually (반말). It demonstrates respect and politeness towards the person you are talking to.
One of the key differences in Korean dating is the intention behind it. While casual dating certainly exists, many people in Korea enter relationships with the hope of a meaningful, long-term connection. This doesn't mean relationships are always serious, but there's usually less ambiguity.
Writing one's name in red ink. This is traditionally taboo because the color red to Koreans used to symbolize death. The belief was that if a person's name was written in red, death or bad luck would come soon.
The number 4 is considered very unlucky in South Korea, as the words for 'death' and 'four' sound similar in Korean. When you get in a lift the button for the fourth floor will often be F, instead of 4, or sometimes skipped altogether, and you should never give sets of 4 as a gift!
What is a Q-Code? The Q-Code is a South Korea QR code that holds all your vaccination information needed for entry. The travel requirement was created to help shorten the time for quarantine inspection for foreign travelers entering the country.
Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for South Korea. The National Travel Health Network and Centre and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for South Korea: COVID-19, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, rabies and tetanus.
What is the most common illegal drug in South Korea?
The most common drug that is used and sold is Methamphetamine, this is accountable for most drug-related arrests. Moreover, other drugs known are MDMA and cannabis. These continue to grow in popularity among students. However, methamphetamine remains the drug of choice for Koreans.
South Korea is also one of the few developed countries where pornography is largely illegal. Any and all material deemed "harmful" or subversive by the state is censored.
In places like South Asia and the Middle East, holding hands with a member of the opposite gender is illegal. These laws can extend to other forms of PDA as well.
Kissing in public is fine with most Brits - so long as you keep your tongue in your mouth. A huge majority of 92% of Britons say holding hands in public is acceptable, and 90% say the same for hugging.
In Japan, seeing PDA (public displays of affection) is not as common. While they're not illegal, they're often met with disapproving looks, especially in more rural areas. If you spend time in larger cities, like Tokyo, you'll more commonly see couples holding hands and kissing.
