“Country you go, custom you find”, and this is exactly what many expect from a trip, to get to know new cultures and ways of doing things. In Korea the customs, as well as the language, are very different from ours and you need to know what to expect before arriving there. Korea is also known for its cosmetic products that are excellent for treating any type of skin problem, finding a korean beauty store near you won’t be difficult, but if you don’t have the opportunity to visit korea you can always order products online. Today we will take you to discover the things to know absolutely before traveling to Korea.
English and Konglish
In Korea, unlike many other Asian countries, very little English is spoken. For this reason, don’t expect to find signs with English information or English-speaking staff in shops and offices. More often he will only speak Korean, with a few words in English. With the exception of Seoul, which is very open to foreign and domestic tourism, most of Korea is still very much rooted in traditional culture, so almost no English is spoken. You will need to do your best to learn Korean as soon as possible if you decide to live in Korea for a long time.
In addition to classic Korean, there is also Konglish, a word derived from a combination of Korean and English. This is the case of loanwords, i.e. words of foreign origin pronounced according to the Korean Hangul alphabet. Some examples are 커피 (keopi, coffee), 초콜릿 (chokollit, chocolate), 콜라 (kolla, coca-cola) and 피자 (pija, pizza).
Weather and seasonal events
Among the things to know before going to Korea there is certainly the climate. It’s a good idea to keep the season and related temperatures in mind before setting off. In Korea, winter is very harsh, between December and January it drops below zero and it can snow. It is recommended to stock up and bring very warm clothes if you are in Korea during this time. Find more tips here.
Just as it is very cold in winter, it is very hot and humid in summer. Korea’s summer humidity reaches 80 percent between July and August, and considering you’ll be using public transportation as well as walking, it’s best to pack some airy clothes and prepare for the searing heat. On the plus side, the air conditioning works perfectly in all public transport or shopping malls, so you won’t suffer indoors.
Public transport and T-money card
Seoul’s subway network is one of the busiest, but also one of the best in the world. Overall, Korean public transport is very efficient and reliable considering it is the most used mode of transport by citizens and commuters. Getting around is even easier with the T-Money Card, a prepaid card used primarily for transportation. You pay an initial fee of 2,500 won to get it the first time, then top it up at vending machines in stations with any amount you want.
The card also works as a transport ticket, which can be activated and paid for both at vending machines and at station ticket offices, and can be used on the underground, trains and buses throughout the country. In addition, T-Money is used as a rechargeable card to pay in shops or convenience stores.
Respect for elders
In Korea the concept of social harmony and respect for others is very strong. In particular, respect and care for the elderly are the basis of Korean society yesterday and today, and this is demonstrated every day. On public transport there are seats reserved for the elderly, the disabled and pregnant women, which will hardly be occupied except in these cases. Respect for elders is expressed even in the language spoken to them, and no one dares to break this tradition. While in Korea, you may notice that elders are especially strict if they feel they are being treated disrespectfully. So watch where you sit on the subway or risk a big lecture!
Convenience stores 24/7
If you notice at midnight that there is no milk for breakfast the next day or you forgot to withdraw some cash, fear not. In Korea, there are 편의점 (pyeonuijeom), 24/7 convenience store chains where you can buy all your basic necessities. In fact, in addition to food and drink, you can find products for cleaning the house, ATM services and photocopiers. If now, accustomed to Italy, this seems futile to you, when you are in Korea, they will be very useful. For example, returning from a night out with friends, if you feel like a late snack, know that you can go to 편의점 whenever you want.
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