You know what to do at the Company Dinner, as far as the rounds go but now it’s time to eat – it’s just eating right?? Nah man, it’s not like that. There are eight very specific rules one must follow when eating. When you’re with your big group of Western friends, while you COULD throw these rules out the window, it’s probably a good idea to practice as many of them as possible all the time just to get in the habit of them.
Rule 1 – No two fisting!
What exactly does that mean? It’s quite simple. In Korea meals are eaten with a set of chopsticks and a spoon. Only one thing shall be in your hands at a time. Don’t hold both your spoon and chopsticks at the same time*. Why *? Because when you eat ramen or other long noodles, you can use your spoon and chopsticks at the same time – however I would only do this if you see others at the table doing the same thing. Rule 1 is quite simple, just don’t use both hands at the same time. Easy! Honestly, when I was at my hagwon I always broke this rule because I didn’t know about it and once I found out I was making such a huge mistake I was mortified! Don’t make the same mistakes I did haha.
Rule 2 – The Elders Eat First
This is common in many cultures but it’s quite serious here. Wait until the elders at the table have their chopsticks or spoon raised and ready to eat before picking up your eating utensils. Let the elders take the first bite and then begin eating. When it comes to elders this works in several ways in Korea. Let’s say you are older than your boss that makes you the elder right? Wrong. Your boss is still the elder at the table due to the business hierarchy. This is something to always be aware of.
Rule 3 – What to put in your mouth
Along with waiting for the elders to take the first bit is WHAT to take as the first bite. Yes, that says WHAT to take as the first bite. There is a lot of tasty food in front of you, so what goes in your mouth first? As a rule of thumb NEVER eat rice first. Before eating rice one must take a bite of kimchi or a spoon of soup first.
Rule 4 – Leave that there!!
This leads to the next piece of dining etiquette, don’t lift your bowl off the table. There are many stories people will tell you about WHY you never lift your bowl off the table, my favorite is the superstition that if you lift your bowl from the table – darn I forget the rest so I’ll have to come back with an edit for this.
Rule 5 – When your meal is done
Lastly when the meal is finished you place your chopsticks and spoon neatly and EVENLY down on the table.
Rule 6 – Alcohol
IF you are SERVING alcohol to someone who is your elder gently place one hand under your elbow or your pouring hand. It is impolite to refuse a drink when offered by your elder. Also when receiving a drink or side dish offered by your elder hold your cup or dish with both hands. Next, when taking a drink it is better to turn to the side to drink. You will see some people who turn to the side AND cover their mouth with their free hand when they take a drink. Finally refill your Elders glass before you refill your own. Keep an eye on your neighbors glass, when it gets half empty refill it and in turn your neighbor will do the same for you.
Rule 7 – Community Food
In the US we all get our own plates and we MIGHT share a bite of something we ordered with someone else at the table. In Korea, you share all the everything. Side dishes, main dishes, sauces, everything. Some people say take enough for you and leave enough for the others. What you will see more often than not is people “double dipping” and eating whatever as they go along. Don’t freak out when someone double dips or when you only get a little bowl to put your food in. This is how it goes, you’ll get used to it haha.
Rule 8 – Go With the Flow
For a lot of people this is the most difficult rule – the good news is people understand and you get some wiggle room with this rule. Don’t eat too fast, and don’t eat too slow. Try and stay on pace with those around you. The goal is for everyone to finish the meal at roughly the same time. Yes, this is like fine alien witchcraft for all to finish the mail at the same time and this is why there is wiggle room. Do your best to eat at the same pace as everyone else though. You get wiggle room, but not enough to hokey pokey in.. it’s more like enough to do a little turn in.
So there you have it. If you can follow these basics of dining etiquette you’ll be fine.
Until Next Time~~~
Moving To Korea - and other things about Life in South Korea 