“Things that Surprise Americans in Korea: Safety, Fast Delivery, No Tipping Culture”
๐บ๐ธ Things That Surprise Americans in Korea! (Part 1) โ A Safe Country, Fast Delivery, No Tipping Culture
๐ “Itโs safe to walk alone at night?”
๐ “Kids go to school alone?”
๐ “Delivery is that fast?!”
๐ “You can get glasses in just 30 minutes?!”
๐ “Restaurants have call buttons for staff?!”
๐ “You donโt have to tip in Korea?”
“Things that surprise Americans in Korea โ Discover the unique aspects of South Korean culture, including safety, fast delivery, and the no tipping culture that will leave you amazed!”
๐บ๐ธ 10 Unique Things About Korea That Surprise Foreigners!
๐ Planning to visit South Korea? Here are some cultural surprises that will amaze you!
South Korea is a country full of unique customs and modern conveniences that often shock first-time visitors. From super-fast food delivery to one of the safest nightlife experiences in the world, here are some of the most surprising things about Korea that every traveler should know!
๐ 1. Korea Is One of the Safest Countries in the World! ๐ฐ๐ท๐ถโโ๏ธ
๐ก “Is South Korea safe for solo travelers?”
โ Korea consistently ranks among the safest countries in the world.
โ It’s common to see people walking alone at night, even in big cities like Seoul and Busan.
โ Public transportation, like subways and buses, is safe and operates late at night.
โ People often leave their phones or laptops on cafรฉ tables while going to the restroom, and they are still there when they return! ๐ฒ
โ But remember!
๐ While Korea is safer than many other countries, always stay aware of your surroundings. Scams and pickpockets exist everywhere, so itโs still important to be cautious.

๐ 2. Kids in Korea Walk to School Alone! ๐๐ธ
๐ก “Is it common for kids to go to school alone in Korea?”
โ In Korea, it’s normal for elementary school kids to commute alone.
โ Many children take the subway or bus by themselves to school or after-school academies (ํ์).
โ There are CCTV cameras on nearly every street, making parents feel more secure.
โ Strict school zone regulations ensure cars drive slowly near schools.
โ Foreigners are often shocked by this!
๐ In many Western countries, kids are rarely seen traveling alone. So when foreigners visit Korea and see young children navigating public transportation, theyโre often amazed!
๐ 3. Elderly People Give Kids Free Snacks and Money! ๐ฌ๐ฐ
๐ก “Why do Korean grandparents give candy to kids?”
โ In Korea, elderly people love giving small treats to children.
โ Itโs common for grandmothers or grandfathers to offer candies, chocolates, or even small amounts of cash.
โ This is a cultural way of showing affection and kindness.
โ Is it safe to accept?
๐ If you’re traveling with kids and this happens, donโt be alarmed! A polite โThank youโ is enough.
๐ But in nightclubs or entertainment districts, never accept free drinks or food from strangers!

๐ 4. Korea Has the Fastest Food Delivery in the World! ๐๐
๐ก “How fast is food delivery in Korea?”
โ Most food deliveries arrive in just 30โ40 minutes!
โ You can order fried chicken, pizza, ramen, sushi, and even convenience store snacks straight to your home or hotel.
โ Some cafรฉs and restaurants even use delivery robots! ๐ค
โ Koreaโs 24/7 Convenience Culture
๐ In major cities like Seoul and Busan, you can order food even at 3 AM!
๐ This speed and convenience shock many foreigners who are used to waiting over an hour for food in the U.S.

๐ 5. You Can Get Prescription Glasses in Just 30 Minutes! ๐ค๐
๐ก “Can I buy glasses quickly in Korea?”
โ Need new glasses? In Korea, you can get them in just 30 minutes!
โ Most optical shops offer free eye exams, and you donโt need a doctorโs prescription.
โ Many foreigners buy multiple pairs because prices are lower than in the U.S. or Europe.
๐ Where to Get Glasses in Korea?
โ Popular areas: Myeongdong, Namdaemun Market, Hongdae, and Busanโs Nampo-dong.
โ If you break your glasses while traveling, donโt worryโjust walk into any optician, and theyโll fix them on the spot!

๐ 6. Restaurants Have Call Buttons & Built-in Chopstick Holders! ๐ฝ๏ธ๐
๐ก “How do you get a waiterโs attention in Korea?”
โ Many Korean restaurants have a small call button at each table.
โ Instead of waiting for the server, you simply press the button, and they come to you!
โ Chopsticks and spoons are often stored in a drawer under the table or in a wooden container.
โ What if thereโs no button?
๐ If thereโs no call button, just raise your hand and say “์ ๊ธฐ์!” (Jeogiyo!), which means “Excuse me!”
๐ Unlike Western countries, calling for the waiter is not considered rude in Korea.

๐ 7. Tipping Culture in Korea โ Do You Need to Tip? ๐ฐ๐ซ
โ Korea has no tipping culture in restaurants, taxis, or hotels!โ In the U.S., tipping 15โ20% is standard, but in Korea, you just pay the billโno extra tip needed!โ Even for delivery, no tipping is required!โ Despite this, service workers are still polite and say โThank you!โ warmly. ๐
๐น + Important Tip!๐ If someone demands a tip in Korea, they might be trying to scam tourists! โ๐ Since Korea doesnโt have a tipping culture, never feel pressured to tip!
๐ But There Are Some Exceptions!
While tipping isnโt expected, there are some cases where a small tip might be appreciated:
โ Bellboys (carrying luggage to rooms) โ Tipping is not required, but โฉ1,000โ5,000($1โ$4 USD) is acceptable.โ Housekeeping staff โ Tips arenโt expected, but leaving a small tip for exceptional service is appreciated.โ Room service โ If service is outstanding, leaving โฉ1,000โ5,000($1โ$4 USD) is a kind gesture.โ However, some hotel staff may refuse tips due to company policy!
โ My Motherโs Experience with Tipping!
๐น More than 20 years ago, my mother worked in hotel housekeeping, and for our family, it was a time of real struggle. She didnโt take the job because she wanted toโshe took it because she had to. Our family was going through one of the hardest financial periods we had ever faced, and she was willing to do whatever it took to keep us afloat.
๐น Before all this, my mother had a completely different life. She was a college graduate, a licensed dietitian in Korea, and had grown up in a well-off family. She never imagined she would one day be scrubbing hotel rooms. But life doesnโt always go the way we plan, and when everything crumbled, she didnโt complain. She just rolled up her sleeves and got to work.
๐น Housekeeping wasnโt just tiringโit was relentless. She spent hours bending over to make beds, scrubbing bathrooms until they sparkled, and hauling heavy linens up and down long hotel hallways. By the time she got home, her arms ached, her legs felt like lead, and some nights, she even had nosebleeds from sheer exhaustion. But no matter how tired she was, she never let it show. She smiled for us, as if everything was fine.
๐น And then, there were the little surprisesโthe tiny moments of kindness that made all the difference. Foreign guests would sometimes leave small tips under pillows or on bedside tables. Though the hotel officially had a no-tipping policy, housekeeping staff were allowed to keep any money left behind.
๐น I still remember how she would come home after a long day, tired but carrying a small smile. On some days, she would casually mention that a foreign guest had left a tip, her voice tinged with quiet gratitude. It wasnโt about the moneyโit was the rare acknowledgment of her effort. Even after hours of exhausting labor, that small gesture seemed to momentarily lift the weight off her shoulders.
๐น Looking back, itโs a bittersweet memory. I wish things had been easier for her. But now, when she talks about those days, thereโs no sadnessโjust pride. She never let hardship break her, and she carried herself with strength even when times were rough.
๐น This experience taught me something important: while tipping isnโt common in Korea, sometimes a small gesture can mean the world to someone. And more than anything, it reminded me that every job deserves respect, and every worker deserves to feel valued. ๐
โ My Personal Tipping Experience!
๐น Twenty years ago, I worked at a Korean BBQ restaurant, and back then, things were a lot different. There were no call buttons, no chopstick containers on tables, and no self-serve side dishes. If customers needed something, they had to ask directly, but my goal was to anticipate their needs before they even realized it themselves.
๐น I trained myself to be hyper-aware of my surroundings. The second I heard the clink of chopsticks hitting the floor, I was already on my way with a fresh pair before the customer could even glance around for help. As I walked past tables, Iโd subtly scan their side dishesโif I noticed they were enjoying a particular one, Iโd quietly refill it before they had to ask.
๐น Regular customers? I never forgot them. If someone came in often, I made sure to greet them warmly and even bring out their favorite side dishes without them saying a word. Some customers liked my service so much that they told the restaurant owner, “I donโt come here for the foodโI come because of her!”
๐น Now, tipping isnโt a thing in Korea, so I never expected any extra cash. But to my surprise, some customers still tipped meโsometimes as much as โฉ10,000!(($ 6.94USD) Once in a while, a customer would even tell the cashier, “Give this to that hardworking girl over there.”
๐น I still remember this moment vividly. A regular customer had just finished his meal when he walked straight up to my boss and said, “The food here is good, but the real reason I keep coming back is because of that young lady. Sheโs the best server Iโve ever met.” My boss glanced at me, smiled, and said, “Youโve worked hard today. Take a little break.” It was just a small gesture, but in that moment, I felt truly valued and appreciated.
๐น This experience taught me something important: Even in a country where tipping isnโt common, great service leaves a lasting impression. And sometimes, people have their own way of showing gratitudeโeven when you least expect it. ๐

โจ”Want to discover more about Korea? Check out Part 2 for more unique cultural surprises! ๐ Read Part 2″
๐จ Is it true that Korean public restrooms are free?
๐ค How to choose the right karaoke room in Korea?
๐น Korean hangover cures that actually work!
๐ Bookmark this page and follow for more Korea travel tips! ๐ฐ๐ทโ๏ธ
“Want to learn more about Koreaโs safety, fast delivery, and unique customs? Check out the official Visit Korea website for travel tips and cultural insights! ๐ Visit Korea”