Would you like to visit South Korea, a country where healing mineral springs rage, and tourists imposingly rest on clean sandy beaches? We are 99.9% sure we would. But, unfortunately, all the splendor of the monuments of ancient dynasties and delightful ski resorts are not available to all citizens of our country because of their high cost. However, if you are still going on a trip, then we recommend saving up money and still going to this country, having familiarized yourself with the prohibitions, not knowing about which you can find yourself in an awkward situation.
Leave chopsticks in food
Piercing food with chopsticks like a fork in culture Korean people not accepted. It may be more convenient to eat this way, but the chef (if you are in a restaurant) or the hosts (if you are visiting) can be perceived as an insult. An exception is if you need to pinch off a piece from a large dish.
Moreover, chopsticks should not be left upright on a plate, especially when stuck in rice. Koreans associate this with death: at funerals and commemoration, a mandatory attribute is smoking sticks stuck in the sand. They are brought and burned in front of the portrait of the deceased by the guests. As for rice, it has a sacred meaning in culture, like bread for Russians.
Call someone palm up
If you see a familiar person, call out to him and want to call with a gesture, then keep in mind that in South Korea you can only call someone with your palm facing down. Palm up (as we used to, when we see a friend, wave from afar - come, they say, here), Koreans call dogs and other animals.
Wear a deep neckline
A deep neckline for Koreans is considered unacceptable - too frank and sexy. That's why korean girls they practically do not wear T-shirts and tops or put on blouses or T-shirts under them according to the principle “from under Friday to Saturday”. Not so long ago, a fashion for sundresses of various styles came to Korea, under which Korean women still stubbornly put on T-shirts, shirts and even sweaters. With all this, they wear frankly short minis without any embarrassment, so they have to cover themselves, climbing stairs or escalators, with a magazine or purse.
Be embarrassed when raising the "toilet" topic
Clean, comfortable and free toilets are everywhere in South Korea, there is a feces park and museum, cafes serving coffee in cute toilet bowls and cakes in the form of "kakul" are popular. However, the theme of cooking is not limited to this. Moreover, the resort island of Jejudo is famous for its black pigs, which used to be fed with human waste, and that is why their meat is considered very tender and tasty.
Pay attention when someone sneezes
It is not customary to wish health to a sneezing interlocutor. Usually they don’t react to this in any way, they just pretend that nothing happened, and the person who sneezed quietly apologizes.
throw away food
Koreans remember well the hungry times of the recent war between the North and the South, as well as the Japanese annexation, so the attitude to food, especially rice, is respectful, if not reverent. Dishes are very plentiful and often spicy; in addition, they usually bring additional snacks - panchani. The Korean who invited you to dinner will vigilantly ensure that you eat more (and preferably everything), otherwise he will be upset and maybe even offended. In corporate and student canteens, catering workers do not even hesitate to scold a visitor if he hasn’t eaten properly. So don't be fooled!
Long look at the Korean
Koreans do not tolerate when they are considered, regarding this as a violation of personal space, and besides, they are constantly on edge: they work too much, they have too little rest. They can forgive some, in their opinion, arrogance to a foreigner, but it's better not to wake up famously. And don't try to take pictures of Koreans. At best, you will be asked to delete the photo, and at worst, you will pay a fine and spend some time in the police station, proving that you had nothing bad in your thoughts. It is significant that the Koreans themselves, when taking pictures, erase the faces of people who accidentally fell into the frame.
Get involved in quarrels
The older generation of Koreans at one time lived very hard. It was especially difficult for women. They were not allowed to study and were not given the opportunity to work, giving preference to men. They were oppressed own husbands, the husband's family shouldered a lot of domestic duties on the shoulders of the daughter-in-law, while not stinting on reproaches. Now that South Korea has achieved strong economic performance in quite a short time and has become a comfortable country where the younger generation knows no worries, and women stand on an equal footing with men, elderly aunts - ajums - feel deprived and can even be scandalous in society. For inappropriate appearance, laughter, excessive proximity in public transport, you may well get a reprimand, or even an umbrella in the back. Do not react in any way, just step aside.
And generally do not get involved in a showdown, even if you are provoked. This can happen anywhere and at any time: they can pretend that you pushed, stepped on your foot, looked the wrong way, or they themselves push and step on your foot, defiantly looking at you, they can find fault that you are a foreigner and send you back to your country, etc. All disputes in this country are usually resolved in favor of the local population. This is actively used by scammers, unleashing conflicts on empty place, and then at the police station, playing the unfortunate victim and demanding monetary compensation.
Refuse bosses to offer you a drink
The boss is always right. This item in Korea is directly related to alcohol. Drink here from the heart. People work a lot, selflessly, stress and fatigue accumulate, so they dump all the negativity in this way. And if your Korean employer invited you to have a drink, you have to agree. One joy: the boss pays the bill himself. In Korea, drinking alcohol together is considered in a good way establish business contacts in an informal setting. Therefore, weekly corporate parties are in the order of things. And during the week, Koreans can easily skip a glass or two of beer or knock over two or three bottles of soju (rice vodka with about 15% strength) after work.
Smoking in public places
Smoking is in strictly designated areas or where you cannot disturb anyone with smoke. Otherwise, you are provided with sidelong glances, harsh comments, and even a fine of the order of $100. Places with a large crowd of people are always equipped with smoking areas: it can be a gazebo, a glass room, or even just a rectangle lined on the asphalt, within which it is allowed to enjoy nicotine. You can still smoke quietly in a small alley.
It is surprising that, despite the restriction of smoking areas, tobacco products are sold openly in any size shop, stall, kiosk, supermarket. Quite often there are electronic cigarette stores, which, however, are equated to ordinary ones.
“Smoking” in Korea is mainly men, the female practically does not smoke. Therefore, when they see a girl smoking, the first thought is that she is most likely a foreigner, although near nightclubs, bars, karaoke and similar places, the likelihood of seeing a cigarette in women's hands increases.
It is well known that the rules of conduct are a rather arbitrary thing. What is considered indecent in one country is completely normal in another, and vice versa. This, of course, also applies to Korea. Differences in the rules of conduct between Russia and Korea often lead to rather ridiculous or funny situations which I want to talk about today.
remember funny story. One of my smart friends, a Korean, arrived two years ago in St. Petersburg, where he was to spend a couple of years on an internship. He studied Russian a little before the trip, but did not speak it very well, and decided (quite reasonably) that he would need some kind of tutor. I recommended to him my friend, a university teacher, for whom it would be a useful income. Then the following happened. The Korean called this teacher, introduced himself, and immediately began to ask such questions: "What is your name?" "Are you married?" "And how old are you?" The teacher, who, for reference, was 29 years old and who had recently divorced her husband, took these questions as a sign of ambiguous intentions, and did not want to deal with the new trainee anymore. How was she to know that direct questions about age and marital status are just a normal part of the Korean dating ritual! In Korea, it is not considered shameful to ask a woman (as well as a man) how old she is, whether she is married, where she lives. For Koreans, when talking with each other, it is important to know the answers to these questions in order to properly build relationships with the interlocutor, but for Russians they often make an unpleasant impression, and sometimes lead to embarrassment, like the one I just talked about. By the way, it is perfectly normal to ask an acquaintance you meet on the street, including someone older in age or position, about where he is going. For Koreans, this question is not perceived as a manifestation of some kind of curiosity, which may be unpleasant for the interlocutor. The question "where are you going?" - - is just a substitute for a greeting, and it should be answered in passing (as well as, by the way, to another Korean question, the greeting "did you eat?").
Funny misunderstandings often arise at the table. Almost all Koreans are now fluent with a knife and fork, but a Russian who could handle chopsticks is extremely rare (Americans, by the way, have learned how to use chopsticks in recent decades - the exceptional spread of Chinese cuisine in America has affected). However, in this case, the restaurant will always find a spare plug for you. However, there are other problems as well. For example, it is not customary for Koreans to eat with closed mouth, which is often not liked by the Russians, who are annoyed by the champing of their neighbors. Koreans, on the other hand, are disgusted when they blow their noses at the table, even very quietly. It’s not that blowing your nose at the table is the norm among Russians, but this, in any case, is not a crime, but for Koreans, the sight of an interlocutor blowing his nose while eating is quite capable of spoiling his appetite until the end of dinner. I must say that this problem does not occur so rarely. Korean cuisine is phenomenally spicy, and in an unaccustomed Westerner, it causes severe irritation of the nasal mucosa. According to Korean rules at the table, you can lightly wipe your nose, but not blow your nose. And, by the way, God forbid you in Korea to wipe your nose in public (no matter at the table or, say, in the subway) with a handkerchief familiar to us. For Koreans, the very idea that a handkerchief soaked in... you know what... can be easily put in a pocket seems terribly unhygienic. Instead of a scarf, Koreans themselves use special disposable paper napkins, packages of which can be bought cheaply (10-20 cents) in any store or even just in a vending machine.
And another feature that catches the eye of a Russian who knows Korean in Korea is how calmly Koreans talk about ... the toilet. In Russia, as in many (but not all!) Western countries, on topics related to the toilet, it is customary to speak, mysteriously rolling your eyes and lowering your voice. In Korea, on a date, a young man on a date can complain to his lover about the diarrhea that happened to him with the same ease with which his Russian peer can complain about, say, a headache. I remember how it struck me from the very out of my habit when in my classes the students did not “ask to leave”, as it is vaguely and evasively formulated in Russia, but directly and clearly explained where (or even why) they, in fact, need to . On the other hand, the Koreans themselves often do not understand the conventions that the Russians have twisted around such an ordinary and natural thing as going to the bathroom.
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North Korea is a mythical country. In the sense that due to the lack of information about it, myths are created, many of which, however, have quite real grounds.
We are in website decided to find out what things are not available or limited in the most closed country in the world, and many of them, we must admit, surprised us very much.
1. You can't wear blue jeans.
If you can afford jeans, then no one will forbid you to wear them. But denim can only be black, because blue jeans are not allowed here- it is believed that these pants, popular all over the world, represent the whole world imperialism. However, tourists may well walk in sky-colored jeans, but to visit the monument to Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, you still have to change clothes.
2. There is no way to access the Internet and use Wi-Fi
IN North Korea There are computers and internet. More precisely, the intranet is the Gwangmyeong internal computer network, in which, according to various estimates, from 1,000 to 5,500 sites are recorded. Naturally, there can be no question of any access to the sites of other countries, unless you are a high-ranking person. By the way, the local operating system"Red Star" latest version reminiscent of MacOS X. They say this was done to please Kim Jong-un, who has a love for Apple products.
But Wi-Fi does not exist in North Korea. And ordinary residents of the country do not have mobile devices equipped with access even to Gwangmyeon. In addition, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules are removed from Chinese tablets adapted for the DPRK - simply as unnecessary.
3. Local currency not available to foreigners
Tourists visiting North Korea are not allowed to use national currency- North Korean won. In local shops intended for foreigners, calculated exclusively in euros, yuan, South Korean won and, oddly enough, dollars. But it is impossible to buy something in a store where Koreans themselves make purchases - moreover, foreigners are not even allowed to cross their threshold.
4. You can't buy real estate in North Korea
Apartments in North Korea are not for sale (at least officially), they are distributed by the state. And it is practically impossible to move from the village to Pyongyang - only the elite are awarded such a privilege, and even then for special merits. However, on the black market, which seems to have captured all spheres of life in this country today, you can still buy an apartment - for $ 70-90 thousand. But the official salary of an ordinary Korean, as refugees assure, is no more than $ 4. A month .
5. Buying a car is almost impossible
The owner of his own car - by North Korean standards, very rich or very influential person. The cost of a four-wheeled vehicle, which is still a luxury here, is an exorbitant amount for Koreans - according to this site, it is approximately $ 40 thousand. Even a bicycle is not available to everyone and is not so common, especially if we are talking not about Pyongyang. And so much so that each of them has its own number, like a car.
6. You can’t borrow a newspaper from the library that was published several years ago.
It is impossible to find a newspaper published several years ago in the library. The fact is that the course of the Workers' Party of Korea may undergo changes, which the Korean people do not need to know about. It is not even worth talking about foreign periodicals, especially glossy magazines, for obvious reasons. But you do not need to buy daily newspapers - you can read them on special racks on the street or in the subway.
7. No way to buy religious literature
North Korea is a 100% secular country. No, religion is not prohibited here, at least at the legislative level. Moreover, Pyongyang even has christian churches, however, these are a kind of Potemkin villages, which, among other things, are under the watchful eye of the state.
On the other side, Christianity, for example, is considered a competitor to the "religion" of Juche, and therefore, to put it mildly, is not welcome. There are also Buddhist temples in the country, but they are considered mainly as historical and cultural monuments.
8. You can not call abroad with a local SIM card
Cell phones are no longer a rarity in North Korea. However, despite the presence of mobile communications, an ordinary Korean will not be able to call another country or even a foreigner who is in the DPRK. All local SIM cards are for domestic calls only. You never know.
9. You won't be able to take a hot shower at home.
There is no hot water supply in the houses and apartments of North Koreans - to wash themselves, they, as a rule, visit baths, of which there are quite a few in the country. In addition, warming your hands on a central heating battery will also fail - they simply do not exist here. Wood burning stoves are used for heating. Even in Pyongyang.
Someone may object that there is no central heating in other Asian countries. However, modern electric heaters are used there, and in the DPRK, as you know, electricity is supplied intermittently even in the capital.
10. You can't buy Coca-Cola in stores.
Until 2015, there were only 2 countries in the world where the sale of this popular soda was officially banned: Cuba and North Korea. After the drink was allowed to be sold on Liberty Island, northern part of the Korean peninsula the only place in a world where it is not on store shelves solely for ideological reasons.
11. Impossible to travel to another country
Residents of North Korea cannot buy a plane ticket and go on vacation to another country. And not only because it is expensive, but also because it is simply forbidden.
However, the ban is also imposed on free movement within the country - to go to visit relatives in another village or city, you need to get permission. Sometimes Koreans, however, go abroad - to China or Russia, but only in order to earn money.
12. There is no McDonald's in North Korea.
There are no usual restaurants in North Korea fast food- for obvious reasons. However, in Lately on the streets of Pyongyang you can meet street food stalls selling traditional Korean food, including the world-famous kimchi. They say that it is very tasty and insanely spicy.
It's hard to believe, but many North Koreans don't even know that condoms exist. A few decades ago, they appeared on the black market, but for this reason they were not popular, and now it is almost impossible to buy them inside the country - due to lack of demand.
In addition, such an intimate thing as ordinary tampons, which can be bought all over the world without any problems, cannot be found in Korean stores - at least those intended for local residents. No matter how surprising it may sound in our time, but women here are forced to use ordinary cloth - and it is not even disposable.
15. In the DPRK, it is unlikely that you will be able to get a creative haircut.
It's not that it's not true, but it's still an exaggeration. Yes, there are photos of women's and men's haircuts in local hairdressers, but they are still advisory in nature. On the other hand, fashion is largely determined by the leader of the country, so many men wear exactly the same haircut as Kim Jong-un. For women, the chin-length bob has become a “hit”, and thanks to the same Kim Jong-un, who mentioned that such a haircut is very suitable for Korean ladies.
Bonus: Radio North Korea
There are several television and radio channels in North Korea that broadcast programs, films, theatrical performances and much more. True, all of them are politicized to one degree or another, connected with the situation in the country and abroad, and glorify all three Kims. You can verify this by listening to Russian-language radio "Voice of Korea"- right on this link.
Separate education
In the old days, boys and girls from the age of 7 were not supposed to be in the same room, let alone sit next to each other. Echoes of conservatism are still felt in South Korea, but behind last years something has changed, and relationships are becoming freer.
Many schools and institutes still adhere to the principles of separate education. If the university has mixed groups, then the hostels are located in separate buildings or at different ends of the building, and the passage between them is under the control of the concierge. It is allowed to pay a visit to a friend of the opposite sex only during limited hours and with an application, in some higher educational institutions completely prohibited.
This isolation leads to difficulties in relationships. Adults often behave like children - shy in communication, offended by trifles. They practically do not show signs of attention, do not open doors for women and do not serve coats - it is not accepted.
Meetings for dating
Despite the shyness, sometimes feigned, in student years everyone understands that the time has come to get acquainted with the opposite sex, make friends and meet. For many, this will be their first relationship. To achieve this goal, there are known methods, from friendly parties to special "rallies". It takes place in the cafeteria, with the organization of one of the undergraduates, who invites an equal number of male and female friends to him, introduces the participants and leaves them. Upon completion, they exchange contacts, phone numbers and disperse. If someone is interested, they call him or write a message, with mutual sympathy they will meet alone to decide whether to continue friendship and communication or not.
This is a common phenomenon in most universities with universal participation. But many feel awkward and break into female and male groups. Active events, for example, hiking in the mountains - are perceived easier - it seems that they just went to the mountains, and not get to know each other, and stiffness disappears. Girls often ask their acquaintances to arrange a “rally”, they persuade them for weeks, but when they come to the coffee shop, they will pretend that they were almost forced to come. Even if someone meets love, they get married no earlier than 25 years old. Student marriages are rare.
If during the study it was not possible to find a couple, the search continues at work. After twenty-five years, they begin to go to "sogetings" - meetings to find a spouse. Representatives of both the strong and weaker sexes ask for an invitation to the event. The older the applicant, the more often he participates in sogetting, due to pressure from relatives and stereotypes, it is more difficult for an unmarried resident of South Korea to achieve career development than a family man. Sometimes you have to visit up to a hundred “sogettings” before one of them finds the right one.
Parents help with the choice
It is a common tradition for parents to assist their sons and daughters in choosing a spouse. At the same time, they say, “This is your future wife / husband.” The method is considered a relic of the past, but so far quite often families are created in this way.
As the age of thirty approaches, not only father and mother join the process, but also friends, buddies, neighbors, distant relatives. All of them will sincerely feel sorry for a lonely comrade and will intensively help to look for a passion. You can forget that this is a private matter, now it is the main concern of the entire environment and the person is under great pressure from the public.
Cohabitation before marriage
Living together before marriage began to be perceived calmly, but is practiced less frequently than in the West. Such a step is possible if a date has already been set. If a couple lives together for a long time and does not talk about marriage, this is condemned by others.
The behavior of couples is very conservative. Young people are no longer embarrassed to hold hands or hug, they can kiss on the cheek in front of everyone, but nothing more. Otherwise, a representative of the older generation will approach them and demand to stop obscene behavior.
They are very enterprising in the matter of courtship - the young man always knows where to take the chosen one, and if she does not want to go, he has a dozen options in reserve where to invite him. At the same time, you need to eat. It can be a restaurant with European food that is fashionable here, or a walk in the park (where you still cannot avoid eating something tasty). The Cavalier will set the table, pour drinks, cook and cut the dish to impress. It is not uncommon to visit cafes with cats or dogs, which are romantic and cozy. They also invite you to the cinema, but not on a first date.
All sorts of activities are very popular - amusement parks, games on fresh air. There are many such places here, because Koreans love different types active rest. Of course, those who are younger choose such places, because after 30 years, dates become more serious, with clarification of plans for life and prospects.
It is fashionable to wear paired clothes, and all the guys are horrified by this trend, but still agree to wear the same things, and do not look unhappy at all.
In Disneyland, you can see guys with Mickey Mouse ears, in which their girlfriends dressed them up.
It is extremely important not to forget about the celebration of round dates. They celebrate 100 days from the moment they met, then 200, 300 days, and so on up to a thousand. If a young man accidentally forgot about this day, his passion will be offended for a long time. If a girl wants, the boyfriend will buy a bunch of trinkets and unnecessary cute little things, a variety of goodies. And while she does her manicure, her boyfriend sits nearby with a lot of her packages and patiently waits while her friend restores beauty. They steadfastly carry all purchases, accompanying them on a shopping trip for clothes or cosmetics. Yes, and her handbag ready to vilify.
Koreans act like this national mentality instilling in them modesty, responsibility and courtesy. In our time of globalization, although they try to be more like Europeans, they do it in their own way.
They serve cakes shaped like toilet bowls, don't throw away food, and protest when they're photographed. What other oddities and prohibitions are relevant in Korea?
South Korea, or the Land of the Morning Calm, like any country, has its own cultural characteristics- cute and not so cute. At the same time, many prohibitions of this country are similar to the rules and taboos of its neighbors (Japan and China) - for example, you can’t throw out garbage without sorting, sit on the doorstep, write names in red, and so on, but there are differences. Let's talk about them.
Leave chopsticks in food.
It is not customary in Korean culture to pierce food with chopsticks like a fork. It may be more convenient to eat this way, but the chef (if you are in a restaurant) or the hosts (if you are visiting) can be perceived as an insult. The exception is if you need to pinch off a piece from a large meal.
Moreover, chopsticks should not be left upright on a plate, especially when stuck in rice. Koreans associate this with death: at funerals and commemoration, a mandatory attribute is smoking sticks stuck in the sand. They are brought and burned in front of the portrait of the deceased by the guests. As for rice, it has a sacred meaning in culture, like bread for Russians.
Call someone palm up
If you see a familiar person, call out to him and want to call with a gesture, then keep in mind that in South Korea you can only call someone with your palm facing down. Palm up (as we used to, when we see a friend, wave from afar - come, they say, here), Koreans call dogs and other animals.
Wear a deep neckline
A deep neckline for Koreans is considered unacceptable - too frank and sexy. Therefore, Korean girls practically do not wear T-shirts and tops, or put on blouses or T-shirts under them according to the principle “from under Friday to Saturday”. Not so long ago, a fashion for sundresses of various styles came to Korea, under which Korean women still stubbornly put on T-shirts, shirts and even sweaters. With all this, they wear frankly short minis without any embarrassment, so they have to cover themselves, climbing stairs or escalators, with a magazine or purse.
Be embarrassed when raising the "toilet" topic
Clean, comfortable and free toilets are everywhere in South Korea, there is a feces park and museum, cafes serving coffee in cute toilet bowls and cakes in the form of "kakul" are popular. However, the theme of cooking is not limited to this. Moreover, the resort island of Jejudo is famous for its black pigs, which used to be fed with human waste, and that is why their meat is considered very tender and tasty.
Pay attention when someone sneezes
It is not customary to wish health to a sneezing interlocutor. Usually they don’t react to this in any way, they just pretend that nothing happened, and the person who sneezed quietly apologizes.
throw away food
Koreans remember well the hungry times of the recent war between the North and the South, as well as the Japanese annexation, so the attitude to food, especially rice, is respectful, if not reverent. Dishes are very plentiful and often spicy; in addition, they usually bring additional snacks - panchani. The Korean who invited you to dinner will vigilantly ensure that you eat more (and preferably everything), otherwise he will be upset and maybe even offended. In corporate and student canteens, catering workers do not even hesitate to scold a visitor if he hasn’t eaten properly. So don't be fooled!
Long look at the Korean
Koreans do not tolerate when they are considered, regarding this as a violation of personal space, and besides, they are constantly on edge: they work too much, they have too little rest. They can forgive some, in their opinion, arrogance to a foreigner, but it's better not to wake up famously. And don't try to take pictures of Koreans. At best, you will be asked to delete the photo, and at worst, you will pay a fine and spend some time in the police station, proving that you had nothing bad in your thoughts. It is significant that the Koreans themselves, when taking pictures, erase the faces of people who accidentally fell into the frame.
Get involved in quarrels
The older generation of Koreans at one time lived very hard. It was especially difficult for women. They were not allowed to study and were not given the opportunity to work, giving preference to men. They were oppressed by their own husbands, the husband's family shouldered a lot of domestic duties on the shoulders of the daughter-in-law, without stinting on reproaches. Now that South Korea has achieved high economic results in a fairly short time and has become a comfortable country where the younger generation knows no worries, and women are on an equal footing with men, elderly aunts - ajums - feel left out and can even be scandalous in society. For inappropriate appearance, laughter, excessive proximity in public transport, you may well get a reprimand, or even an umbrella in the back. Do not react in any way, just step aside.
And generally do not get involved in a showdown, even if you are provoked. This can happen anywhere and at any time: they can pretend that you pushed, stepped on your foot, looked the wrong way, or they themselves push and step on your foot, defiantly looking at you, they can find fault that you are a foreigner and send you back to your country, etc. All disputes in this country are usually resolved in favor of the local population. Fraudsters actively use this, unleashing conflicts from scratch, and then in the police station, playing the unfortunate victim and demanding monetary compensation.
Refuse bosses to offer you a drink
The boss is always right. This item in Korea is directly related to alcohol. Drink here from the heart. People work a lot, selflessly, stress and fatigue accumulate, so they dump all the negativity in this way. And if your Korean employer invited you to have a drink, you have to agree. One joy: the boss pays the bill himself. In Korea, it is believed that drinking together is a good way to establish business contacts in an informal setting. Therefore, weekly corporate parties are in the order of things. And during the week, Koreans can easily skip a glass or two of beer or knock over two or three bottles of soju (rice vodka with about 15% strength) after work.
Smoking in public places
Smoking is in strictly designated areas or where you cannot disturb anyone with smoke. Otherwise, you are provided with sidelong glances, harsh comments, and even a fine of the order of $100. Places with a large crowd of people are always equipped with smoking areas: it can be a gazebo, a glass room, or even just a rectangle lined on the asphalt, within which it is allowed to enjoy nicotine. You can still smoke quietly in a small alley.
It is surprising that, despite the restriction of smoking areas, tobacco products are sold openly in any size shop, stall, kiosk, supermarket. Quite often there are electronic cigarette stores, which, however, are equated to ordinary ones.
“Smoking” in Korea is mainly men, the female practically does not smoke. Therefore, when they see a girl smoking, the first thought is that she is most likely a foreigner, although near nightclubs, bars, karaoke and similar places, the likelihood of seeing a cigarette in women's hands increases.
