As I walk out of the Incheon National Airport in South Korea, I can hardly wait to go exploring. New smells, sights, and sounds bombard me as I step out of the exit and hail a taxi with an awkward wave.

“Where to?” asks the driver. 

“Grand Hyatt Seoul, thank you,” says I, itching to get out and start exploring.

Visiting Korea for the first time can be an overwhelming experience. After all, most people have only heard stories about the country, of the makeup experts, the amazing food, and the unique culture. But stories can offer nothing compared to the real experience. For travelers new to Korea, or even any country, finding what to do and what not to do can be a rather difficult experience. 

One of the first things the new traveler must know is that, despite preconceptions about foreigners, English is actually a rather popular language in Korea. Much like other people admire aspects of Korean culture, Koreans often choose to learn English in school as an extracurricular, which eliminates the need to constantly lean on the comforting shoulder of Google Translate to communicate. Of course, this is not to say that the entire population of Korea is fluent in English, but most people you meet should be proficient enough to communicate to a basic degree. And, if all else fails, you may then take out ur phone to translate your words to whoever you’re talking to. 

Another thing that a lot of travelers struggle with is ordering food. People from other countries often take it for granted that a waiter will always show up when they are ready to order and provide them with the necessities for a delicious lunch or dinner. In Korea, however, this is not always so. Much like the call of “Aqui!” or snapping in Spanish countries, Korea, too, has its own way of calling waiters. Anyone who wishes to order their food often calls out, “Yeogiyo!” in order to call their server to their table. Be sure to make it loud though, since other patrons may also be saying the same words to get their food as well. When eating food, be sure to also show your appreciation for the food, which is an expression of respect for the people who cooked it. Also, never let your chopsticks stand up straight in your meal, as this is considered both rude and a sign of bad luck. 

Once you have the food etiquette and communication down, there isn’t much else you need to know apart from small mannerisms, and, of course, places to visit. Korea, just like other countries, has its own set of manners and respectful protocol. For example, it is considered polite to receive gifts with two hands, especially when from an elder. It is also polite to bow and greet someone when they are older than you. The Korean language has its own titles that convey respect when talking, such as the “yo” that is put at the end of sentences when talking to an elder. Lastly, for those who enjoy sips of alcohol along with their meal, there is also a small drinking procedure. The oldest will usually drink first, and it is usually better to wait for someone to pour your drink before drinking first. When pouring a drink for an elder, be sure to use both hands instead of your dominant as this is a sign of respect. As you can see, a lot of emphasis is placed on respect of higher positions or those older than you in Korea. 

Finally, Korea has many places of great beauty and enjoyment where one can have an amazing time. Of course, all of them cannot be named, but the most significant ones will be named. The most visited landmark in South Korea happens to be the Namsan Seoul Tower, a towering structure located in the mountains above Seoul. The tower draws in thousands of visitors a year, particularly for its beautiful night views of the city below. Another place with a great view is the Hwadam Botanical Gardens. These gardens are built next to a famous ski resort, and require a monorail to get access to. Visitors often enjoy the peaceful feeling of being in a quiet garden and might even get the rare chance to see some wildlife such as Korean salamanders. For those of the more adventurous type, they can go inside the Manjanggul Lava tube on Jeju Island. The tube is part of a UNESCO National Heritage Site, and visitors can enjoy a hike in the dark with flashlights to take a look at volcanic rock and ancient sediment. Aside from the tube, Jeju Island itself is also a great place to visit in general. From its signature oranges to unique island culture, entering Jeju Island can often be like entering a new country because of its differences from the mainland. There’s also an assortment of ancient palaces scattered across the country, some of the most famous being Naejangsan and Changdeokdgeung, 

From temples to caves, food ordering to drinking, mannerisms to language, you now have a basic knowledge of how to survive (and have fun) in Korea! Of course, this isn’t a complete guide: you can still find other great places to have fun and learn about the local culture, but this guide should be sufficient to give you a basic starter kit on being a tourist in South Korea. Have fun, traveler, learn all you can, and, most importantly, stay safe until next time!