5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to South Korea

SOUTH KOREA | Tuesday, 22 September 2009 | Views [835] | Comments [1]

Did you know that in South Korea...you should never leave chopsticks in your rice? That you should never beckon anyone with palm up using one finger?; it's the way Koreans call their dogs! That writing someone's name in red symbolizes death?

We've compiled a list of recommendations from our friends in adventure travel to help you land safely in South Korea fully prepared to enjoy your trip!

Photo courtesy of Flickr.com, by [tylerdurden1]

1. Bundle up.
It gets cold! I was there in December and it dropped to well below freezing. While I'm used to cold weather, I hadn't packed the right clothing with me, so I didn't enjoy South Korea as much as I could have, so carefully think through your packing list.

Gary Arndt, Everything-Everywhere

2. Try the tube.
Korea has a very good public transport system, so grab a bus or subway map and ride with the locals for a day!

Sspark from Travellr.com

3. Check the weather.
Peak summer, from late June to late August, starts off with the monsoon season, when the country receives some 60% of its annual rainfall, and is followed by unpleasantly hot and humid weather. Although air-conditioning makes summers much more bearable these days, many locals flee the muggy cities for the mountains, beaches and islands, which become crowded, and accommodation prices double. There is also the chance of a typhoon or two.

Lonely Planet

4. Follow the local news.
News listings about demonstrations should be checked, especially near US Military bases. Demonstrations do tend to turn more violent then not.

Keith from GeckoGo.com

5. Hold on tight.
If on a crowded bus and standing, don’t be surprised if a passenger seated under you tugs at your bag. They are typically just offering to have you rest your bag on their lap. Politely decline or if feeling it’s safe, place the bag on their lap, but keep the strap around your arm/wrist.

Christina Tunnah, World Nomads

Keen to learn more?

Prepare for your trip to South Korea by checking out what iExplore has to say about the country.

It always helps to know a little bit of the local language. We know that Korean isn’t exactly a language you can pick up overnight, so here are a couple phrases to help you get around:

Yes = YE
No = A-NIM-NI-DA
Hello = AHN-NYUNG HA-SEH-YO
Goodbye = AHN-NYUNG-HEE GA-SEH-YO
Please = (No direct translation. Has to be used in context.)
Thank you = GAM-SAH HAM-NEE-DA
It is nice to meet you = BAN-GAP SUP-NEE-DA
Take me to my hotel = HOTEL-LO GAP-SEE-DA
Where is the bathroom? = BYUN-SOH UH-DEE-YIP-NEE-GA
How much does this cost? = UL-MA YIP-NEE-GA
Help = DO-WAH-JU-SEH-YO
Doctor = DOCTUH or EUEE-SAH
Police = GYONG-CHAR
Pharmacy = YAK-GOOK
Taxi = TACK-SEE
Train = GI-CHAH
Subway = JI-HA-RO
Bus = BU-SS
Street = GIL

Looking for more travel phrases?
Check out WorldNomads.com's free Korean language guide.

What did you learn in South Korea and wish you knew before you went?  Leave us a comment...

Photo courtesy of Flickr.com, by [said&done]

Tags: south korea, weather, 5 things, asia, culture, monsoons, packing, beaches, learn korean, korean phrases

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