Wait, That’s Normal in Korea?

 

What Foreigners Really Think About Everyday Korean Habits

When you first arrive in South Korea, you might expect high-tech cities, K-pop playlists in every café, and a sea of neon-lit signs. But what surprises most foreigners isn’t the speed of the Wi-Fi or the style of the cafés — it’s the invisible code of social behavior that shapes daily life.

A viral YouTube video titled “Things That Are Normal in Korea but Strange Abroad (and Vice Versa)” captured just that.
In it, people from Australia, Norway, Switzerland, Belgium, and Israel share candid stories about what felt “off” or “odd” during their time in Korea. The result isn’t a criticism, but rather a fascinating mirror reflecting how deeply culture shapes what we call “normal.”

1. A Compliment or an Insult? The “You Gained Weight” Paradox

For Koreans, commenting on someone’s appearance is often a sign of affection — a way of showing attention or familiarity. Saying “You lost weight!” or “You look bigger than before” can sound casual or even caring.

But for most Westerners, especially Australians or Americans, it’s jarring.

“In Australia, we’d never say something like that,” one foreigner explained.
“If it’s not something you can fix in five minutes, we don’t point it out.”

It’s not about hypersensitivity — it’s about cultural boundaries.
Where Western cultures value personal space and self-esteem, Koreans often express closeness by noticing details. A Korean might think they’re showing warmth; a foreigner might feel exposed.
The same sentence, spoken with care, carries two entirely different emotional weights.

2. The Two-Hands Gesture: Respect or Overpoliteness?

Anyone who’s been to Korea knows the ritual — you hand your card to a cashier with both hands, bow slightly, and smile. It’s a small act that represents humility and mutual respect.

But for Norwegians, it feels oddly intimate.

“We never hand our credit cards to anyone,” a woman said, laughing nervously.
“It’s not that we don’t trust others — it’s just our culture. You always tap it yourself.”

To her, giving her phone to a stranger so they could install a SIM card was uncomfortable — even though she understood it was routine in Korea.
In Norway, personal possessions are an extension of one’s privacy.
In Korea, the same gesture shows courtesy and cooperation.

It’s a perfect example of how trust is built differently across cultures: one through distance, the other through ritual.

3. Silence Speaks Volumes

If you’ve taken the Seoul subway, you’ve probably noticed something: it’s silent.
People text, read, or scroll through their phones. Voices are low. Even couples whisper.

To a Norwegian visitor, that quiet was astonishing.

“Back home, we talk, laugh, even make phone calls,” she said. “Here, it felt like being in a library.”

In Scandinavia, talking on public transport is ordinary; in Korea, it borders on rude.
The Korean notion of respect prioritizes not disturbing others, while the Western sense of freedom allows people to share space audibly.
It’s not that one is better — it’s just that each side defines “consideration” differently.

4. When Smiling Feels Suspicious

One Swiss man admitted he couldn’t stop smiling at strangers. That’s just what people do in Zurich — you make eye contact, nod, maybe flash a polite grin.
But in Seoul? He said the reactions were priceless.

“People looked at me like I was weird,” he recalled. “No one smiled back.”

In Switzerland or Austria, not returning a smile can seem cold or unfriendly.
In Korea, a neutral face isn’t coldness — it’s a form of respect and social modesty.
Smiling at strangers might even feel invasive, as if you’ve crossed an unspoken line.

Once he realized that, the Swiss traveler started practicing what he called his “Seoul face” — calm, composed, expressionless.

“Now I know. In Korea, silence and stillness are another kind of politeness.”

5. Spitting, Smoking, and the Streets of Seoul

Let’s talk about one of the biggest shocks: spitting in public.
In Switzerland, it’s virtually taboo — something you’d associate with rudeness or disrespect.
But in Korea, especially near smoking areas, it’s not uncommon.

“At first I was horrified,” one woman laughed. “Now… I guess I’ve just gotten used to it.”

Cultural norms around cleanliness differ, but context matters too.
Seoul’s dense city structure, older male smoking culture, and outdoor social spaces all play a role.
To Koreans, it’s not meant as defiance — it’s habit. To Europeans, it’s unthinkable.

It’s small details like this that make culture shock both awkward and oddly educational.

6. A Touch-Free Culture

In Belgium or France, greetings are tactile.
A light kiss on the cheek, a hug, a warm pat on the back — these gestures say, “You’re welcome in my space.”
But in Korea, greetings are verbal and restrained.

“I tried to hug my Korean friend goodbye, and she froze,” said one Belgian.
“They just said ‘Annyeong!’ and waved. It felt unfinished.”

To Westerners, distance can feel cold; to Koreans, it’s graceful restraint.
Physical contact carries meaning and boundaries that differ across continents.
A bow, a wave, or even a simple nod can hold as much warmth as a kiss — if you understand the language behind it.

7. “Jeogiyo~!” — Calling the Waiter, Korean-Style

For most Koreans, shouting “저기요~!” across a restaurant isn’t rude — it’s efficient.
But for Belgians, it sounds confrontational.

“In Belgium, we’d wait. Calling out like that feels like saying, ‘Hey, servant!’”

The difference lies in how each culture defines service hierarchy.
In Korea, a restaurant is a fast-paced, cooperative space — the staff expects you to call them.
In Europe, it’s the waiter’s role to notice you first.
Neither system is right or wrong — they’re simply reflections of how societies communicate authority, time, and mutual respect.

8. Public Space, Private Behavior

Foreigners often marvel at how Koreans maintain order in crowded spaces — no loud calls, no street confrontations, no arguments on buses.
In Israel, one man said, public spaces are far noisier, even confrontational at times.

“People argue, shout, or laugh loudly — and no one minds.”

To him, Seoul felt calm but distant.
To Koreans, it’s the opposite — peaceful, safe, and disciplined.

9. Drunk on Culture (Literally)

Ask any foreigner who’s walked through Itaewon or Hongdae at 3 a.m., and they’ll have a story.
For Israelis, seeing people sleeping on the street after a night of drinking was surreal.

“We party too, but we don’t see that. If someone’s sleeping outside, we assume they’re homeless.”

In Korea, heavy drinking is both social and ritualistic — tied to friendship, loyalty, and release from hierarchy.
It’s one of the few spaces where people let go of formality — and sometimes, consciousness.

10. The Hidden Side of Signs

One lighthearted but relatable complaint came from a European tourist:

“In Seoul’s subway, the sign for the opposite platform is hidden behind a corner! Why not make it obvious?”

Anyone who’s ever taken the wrong line knows the confusion.
It’s not just about language barriers — it’s about design habits shaped by local logic.
To Koreans, the route is intuitive; to newcomers, it feels like a puzzle.
The traveler laughed it off, but it’s a reminder that “efficiency” looks different depending on where you stand.

What These Stories Really Mean

At first glance, these anecdotes are funny — awkward encounters, misunderstood gestures, mismatched manners.
But beneath them lies something deeper: a conversation about how we perceive respect, comfort, and connection.

Koreans aren’t rude when they skip an apology on the subway; they’re respecting personal space.
Foreigners aren’t strange when they expect smiles; they’re expressing friendliness.
The same act, through a different cultural lens, can mean something entirely new.

This is what makes Korea fascinating to live in. It’s a country where tradition and modernity, hierarchy and harmony, coexist in daily details that you might overlook — until someone from abroad points them out.

For foreigners living in Korea, these differences become part of their personal story.
And for Koreans, hearing these stories offers a fresh way to see themselves — through the curious, sometimes puzzled, but always respectful eyes of a guest.

Why Foreigners Fall in Love with Korean Culture Anyway

Despite the misunderstandings, nearly every foreigner in the video said the same thing:

“Now that I understand it, I actually love it.”

Korean manners may seem formal, but they’re built on kindness.
Social rules may be strict, but they make cities safe and people thoughtful.
In a world that’s often noisy and self-centered, there’s beauty in a culture that teaches quiet respect.

The lesson is simple: the more you learn, the less strange it feels — and the more you appreciate the grace behind every bow, every “저기요~,” every unspoken smile.