Ask a first-time visitor to Korea what surprised them most, and a fairly consistent shortlist tends to come up in travel forums, vlogs, and visitor surveys: the absence of tipping, …
© 2026 KoreaUpClose. All Rights Reserved.
Tag:
social norms
-
-
Everyday Norms & Etiquette
Some Korean Cafes Are Now Charging 2,000 Won Just to Use the Bathroom. It’s Legal, and It’s Not Going Away.
by Grace Limby Grace LimA line has started appearing on kiosk menus at some Korean cafes that has nothing to do with coffee: “restroom only, no purchase required, 2,000 won.” Most cafes now lock …
-
Everyday Norms & Etiquette
A Man Took Off His Shoes and Put His Feet Up in a Subway Pregnancy Seat. A Stranger’s Response Went Viral.
by Daniel Yoonby Daniel YoonA video posted June 20 to the YouTube channel “Kingbatjyu” showed a man who had taken off his shoes and stretched his bare feet across a Seoul subway pregnancy-consideration seat, …
-
Everyday Norms & Etiquette
Seoul Subway Tries a New Fix for an Old Etiquette Problem: The Pregnancy Seat
by Joon-ho Baekby Joon-ho BaekAnyone who has ridden the Seoul subway has probably seen it: a pink-tinted “pregnancy consideration seat” (임산부 배려석), clearly designated but often occupied by someone who isn’t pregnant, while an …
-
Everyday Norms & Etiquette
A Seoul Cafe Charged 2,000 Won to Use the Bathroom. The Backlash Wasn’t Really About the Money.
by Hana Suhby Hana SuhA photo of a kiosk sign went viral in Korea recently. It read: “Using toilet without ordering drinks (1 time per person) 2,000 won.” Reactions split immediately — some defended …
