Worried about #COVID-19? Adopting Korean manners and bowing appropriately will allow you to be sanitary, keep a little distance, and still be polite.
Do you bow with two hands in a 'prayer' position? Not unless you're at the Buddhist temple and also saying "성불 하십시오" 1/
Do you bow with two hands in a 'prayer' position? Not unless you're at the Buddhist temple and also saying "성불 하십시오" 1/
So, where are your hands?
Pre-colonial Korean manners had the two hands just below the bellybutton (men- left over right hand, women- right over left hand).
Currently many Koreans bow with their hands at their sides. 2/
Pre-colonial Korean manners had the two hands just below the bellybutton (men- left over right hand, women- right over left hand).
Currently many Koreans bow with their hands at their sides. 2/
What about your feet?
Come to a complete stop, and put your heels together, touching (toes can be pointing outwards like a duck).
How deep? Well... how much do you respect the other person? 90 degrees from the waist is usually excessive. 3/
Come to a complete stop, and put your heels together, touching (toes can be pointing outwards like a duck).
How deep? Well... how much do you respect the other person? 90 degrees from the waist is usually excessive. 3/
But if you bow only from your neck that's not bowing, that's nodding. That's rude. Somewhere around 40 degrees might be the safest bet in most cases.
Also, don't bow too fast. A truly polite bow will be held for a count of 3. A rushed bow is impolite.
4/
Also, don't bow too fast. A truly polite bow will be held for a count of 3. A rushed bow is impolite.
4/
So, if you're worried about #COVID-19, adopt bowing in your daily life, don't shake hands, don't hug.
