Learn Korea's drinking etiquette and become a true Korean at heart.
Pour and receive drinks with both hands.
Korea is known as a land of courtesy, and it's customary at drinking gatherings for people to pour drinks for one another. A younger person pours for an older person first, using both hands both to pour and to receive. An older person may pour with one hand or with both. Regardless of age, in business settings or when meeting someone for the first time, people pour and receive with both hands. Among close friends, pouring and receiving with one hand is common, but no matter the age gap or closeness, filling the other person's empty glass is the basic rule of Korean drinking etiquette.^^
"Geonbae~!" Learn Korean toasting expressions.
Every country has its own way of toasting. In Korea, people often say "Geonbae~!" or "Jihwaja~!" 'Geonbae' means to empty your glass, while 'Jihwaja' means "for a joyful time from now on." Both are expressions meant to make the gathering more fun together, and most people clink glasses and shout "Geonbae" or "Jihwaja" right before drinking.^^
Toast speeches at the table~
At Korean drinking gatherings, when many people get together, it's common for one person — or everyone in turn — to give a toast speech. Some toasts are meant to cheer each other on or offer encouragement, and nowadays young Koreans often come up with clever, witty toasts that make gatherings even more fun and lively. "Clever Toasts" - Saida (사이다): Let's all gather here filled with love! - Aiyu / IU (아이유): Let's live this beautiful world without regret! - Ttukbaegi (뚝배기): With grit! With courage! With energy! - Jaegeonchuk (재건축): Let's live happily, healthily, and blessed! - Madangbal (마당발): To the growth of the person sitting across from you! - Sohwaje (소화제): Communication and harmony come first! - Machwije (마취제): Drinking and getting tipsy is the best! - 119: One kind of drink, one round only, and home before 9! And there are countless other fun, witty toasts like these all over Korea.^^
If you see someone's glass is empty, fill it! But never force anyone to drink~!!
In Korea, it's customary to refill someone's glass once you notice it's empty. However, if the other person says they'd like to stop drinking, or if they seem too drunk, you shouldn't refill their glass. Also, out of courtesy, a person receiving a refill in an empty glass may just touch it lightly to their lips and set it down without actually drinking. No matter the situation, no one should ever be forced to drink~^^ ★ "3 Nos!": No forcing drinks! No overdrinking!! No drunken misbehavior!!!
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