| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
mnhnhyouh
Joined: 21 Nov 2006
Location: The Middle Kingdom
|
 Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 4:54 pm Post subject: Shoes off, where? |
 |
|
I understand that taking ones shoes off is a very common thing in Korea. I am wondering when one should do so?
Work?
Home?
Visiting Korean homes?
Restaurants?
Other stores?
I take it that socks are then worn most times?
Should I then buy shoes that are easier to take off?
h |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Ya-ta Boy
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: Established in 1994
|
| Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 5:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
Work?
Home?
Visiting Korean homes?
Restaurants?
Other stores?
I take it that socks are then worn most times?
Should I then buy shoes that are easier to take off?
|
It depends on the job. At my last high school we had to wear slippers at school.
At home? It's your home. Do what you like. Just be warned that if a Korean is there, you will hear an audible gasp when you step on the floor wearing shoes.
Absolutely take them off when you visit a Korean home. No exceptions that I've ever heard of.
Restaurants? That depends. At restaurants with chairs you usually leave your shoes on. When you are in a sit-on-the-floor restaurant you always take your shoes off. You will know which is which...the ones where you take them off will have a pile of shoes (or a shoe box) in front.
Yeah, socks are worn most times, but if you have been wearing sandals then you can go barefooted in a restaurant. It's a good idea to keep on hand a supply of clean no-holes in the heel socks.
Highly recommended to buy slip-on shoes. It just saves on hassles. Lots of Koreans buy tie on shoes, tie them once and then jam down the back of the shoes and use them like slippers. Must have inch thick callouses on the bottom of their heels.
You occasionally see people with boots, but personally I can't see it. There is just so much time in a day I'm willing to spend putting on and taking off shoes. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Cerriowen
Joined: 03 Jun 2006
Location: Pocheon
|
| Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 8:20 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Usually in restaurants they'll have the "no shoes" section raised up on a platform, with the floor-level-tables. If there are chairs and western tables, it's OK.
Some stores want you to take shoes off... if they do then they have a very obvious area at the front for shoes to go, and plastic slippers.
I used to wear shoes in my house but when Koreans come over they're so horrified that I just got in the habbit of taking them off.
I ended up buying shoes without backs, that are kind of like sandles because it's just such a pain to take them off all the time.
At someone elses house, absolutely, no exceptions. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
