Korean Job Discussion Forums

[copperpot]

Hey guys! I have to give a lesson in western etiquette for summer camp. I have thought about setting up a korean dinner table and a western dinner table and marking the differences that way.

Has anyone got any experience in teaching etiquette? What are some Korean etiquette rules that I should be aware of?? What are some of the big differences you can think of?

I know that Koreans make a lot of noises when they eat, use two hands to pass things etc., what else?

Thanks!!

[kat2]

The big one, we would never eat from the same dish after licking our chopsticks clean. They should know that they can't just pick stuff off of other people's plates on the table.

Also, its rude NOT to talk during a western meal. Someone should be carrying on conversation atall times. Koreans think its rude to talk during a meal

[John Henry]

Damn, you guys just keep lining them up for me today. Seriously..too good to pass up.

Now class, western style is...dried squid sharing....no.

Also...toilet paper...for toilet only!!!

[kat2]

Oh man, I've been here too long. I didn't even think aout toilet paper. And no scissors on teh table.
Actually the place setting for westerners is totally different.
It might be interesting for the kids to have a "dress up" day and practice all that they have learned in a role play. You could have all of them make fancyclothes in arts and crafts (bow tie for guys, tiara for girls or something). Serve a fancy dinner( not really, but make them use the manners they have used on ramyeon, cut up apples, and a piece of bread or some thing). Watching the kids eat ramyeon with a fork and spoon should be priceless. And don't let them just ram the bread in their mouth either. They should tear off a small piece and put it intheir mouth. This is the correct way to eat bread.

[oldfatfarang]

here's a novel idea. How about teaching Koreans "ladies first". That is, ladies sit down first, ladies eat first, ladies get up first, and ladies are respected at all times.
3 of my lovely adult Korean ladies took me to a slap up meal (banquet) last saturday night. They were very surprised when I got up to let them sit down first. They were even more surprised (and appreciative) when I opened the car doors for them.

[Hater Depot]

Teacher... you don't pour drinks with two hands?? Americans are so rude!

[schwa]

[3baekwon]

I taught some "formal dining" classes (as they were called) last year. Our main points with the kids were:

how to hold a fork (they tend to hold it like a pencil)
how to use a knife
bringing the food to your mouth as opposed to slouching down with your lips on the plate to slurp up the food (pushing their chairs WAY in helps with this as they can't lean over as easily!)
cutting bite-sized pieces instead of holding a huge piece of meat on a fork and nibbling
NOT using a fork to stab and nibble on a dinner roll (pieces, pieces!!) This will go better if you make them wash their hands before they eat because they feel dirty touching food (yes, i know they cram chips in their faces all day long, but touching bread at dinner with dirty hands is unthinkable!)
putting the utensils on/in the dish when they are finished as opposed to the Korean custom of putting them back on the table.
OH! One more big one (edit #2) Saying "excuse me" to get the server's attention as opposed to shouting "HERE"

This class was more fun to teach than any other. PLUS it is something that they will ALL need to know whether they travel abroad or not. There's always TGIF right here in Korea where they can use their newfound skills.
Good luck!

[Ya-ta Boy]

[Hater Depot]

[ajuma]

How about teaching "Please pass the...."!

[antoniothegreat]

using the "serving spoon"

[Qinella]

Napkin in the lap.

[sadsac]

A biggie would be you don't leave your food scraps all over the table.

[Privateer]

Chew with your mouth closed.

Put utensils on your plate, not on the table.