With summer vacation upon us, many people are taking the initiative to travel abroad. If Korea is on your list of destinations, make sure to keep these travel tips in mind for a wonderful trip!
1. Proper Garbage Disposal: Korea has a meticulous garbage disposal system. You need to purchase specific colored trash bags from local stores for different types of waste. Mixing all your trash into one bag is a no-no.
2. Walking Pace: Korea's fast-paced “bbali bbali” culture means people walk quickly, especially in subway stations. Try to keep up to avoid being bumped into or shoved aside.
3. Comfortable Footwear: Given Korea's uneven streets and numerous stairs, it's wise to opt for sneakers over heels. Your feet will thank you after a day of sightseeing.
4. Use Local Map Apps: Google Maps doesn't really work in Korea. Instead, download Naver Maps or Kakao Maps for more accurate navigation.
5. Minimal Small Talk: Unlike in some other countries, small talk with strangers is not common in Korea. It's perfectly fine to stand or sit quietly without initiating conversation.
SHARE
1. Depends on where you live; the big cities tend to be more strict on proper garbage sorting and will fine you. But smaller cities will encourage it, but might not have trash infrastructure to really support easy sorting (IE: where you dispose of your trash outside of your building).
2. This one is a lie. I've been here for years, and the people here are some of the most unaware and leisurely paced people I've seen. Maybe to some countries where the culture is typically slower, they'll seem fast. But most western countries might actually be annoyed with their speed, or their inattentiveness to the people behind them.
A better tip would be to highlight the lack of lines/queues or gestures like opening a door. You'll frequently have older people cut ahead of you while trying to go through a door or get on the bus like it's an LA traffic jam, and you'll have the majority of people that won't hold the door open for you even if you are right behind them. Don't take this as any sort of rude gesture towards you, or ill-thinking on their part, it's just the culture and most think nothing of it other than it being the normal thing to do.