Things I never did until I moved to Korea

As expected, moving to a new country comes with having to make adjustments—both big and small. Some of those adjustments can be good for you, while others are just ways of adapting to make your new life easier or simply because you have to.

From the way I greet people to how I take out the trash, here are the habits that have quietly become part of my everyday life.  

 

1. Bowing

Bowing is considered an expression of respect, politeness, and acknowledgment of a social hierarchy in Korea. It’s used when greeting someone older or of higher status, when saying thank you, or even just in passing as a polite gesture. The deeper the bow, the deeper the respect.

As a way of showing respect for Korean culture, I’ve started engaging in bowing too. At first, it felt a bit awkward—I’d find myself wondering how deep I should bow or if I was doing it at the right time. But now, it’s second nature. I find myself bowing to everyone: my delivery drivers, my neighbours, and even the people working at the convenience store in my apartment building! It’s a practice that has become part of my everyday life. I see it as a physical reminder to be humble and respectful.

 

2. No Outside Shoes Indoors

I know this isn’t unique to Korea, but it’s definitely where I learned to take it seriously. In Korea, the home is considered a pure, private, and respectful space, so the dirt and chaos of the outside world don’t belong inside. Removing your shoes not only keeps the home clean physically but also symbolically.

This is one of those practices where you just have to comply. Unlike bowing—which people might forgive you for skipping because you’re a foreigner—wearing your outside shoes indoors is a big no. I don’t mind it though; in fact, I really appreciate it. I now have my “house slippers” that greet me by the door every time I come home, and it feels oddly comforting. It’s one of those small lifestyle habits that I’ve grown to love, and I can definitely see myself continuing it when I move back home (where we usually walk straight in with our shoes—sorry, South Africa).

 

3. Recycling

Recycling in Korea is serious business. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a place that goes this hard on recycling. I often find myself sorting plastics like my life depends on it—and honestly, it kind of does. Here, recycling isn’t just encouraged, it’s an expectation, you could even say it’s a civic duty.

It’s so deeply integrated into daily life that there are separate bins for everything: plastic, glass, food waste, paper, general waste—you name it. Some of these bins even have CCTV cameras to monitor proper disposal (yes, really). At my apartment, residents can get fined for not sorting their trash correctly, so it’s definitely something you learn to take seriously.

Back home in South Africa, I never really thought much about recycling. I’d just toss everything into one bin and call it a day. But now? I’m constantly checking labels and asking Siri what type of plastic goes where. It’s made me much more aware of how much waste I produce and how small daily habits can make a difference. It’s definitely a practice that I can see myself keeping no matter where I end up in the world. 

 

4. Sun Protection

Summers in Korea are no joke. Temperatures can get as high as 36°C, and the humidity makes it feel even hotter. So, sun protection isn’t optional, it’s survival.

When I was younger, I used to think umbrellas were just for rain. Whenever I’d see people using it on sunny days I’d think, “Well, that’s weird.” Fast-forward to now, and I’ve become one of those weird people. Yes, I use an umbrella to block the sun. On top of that, I’ve doubled my sunscreen use and even started wearing UV-protection clothing. (If you see me on the beach in a full UV-protection kit, just mind your business). 

What’s also interesting is how sun protection here ties into cultural and beauty ideals. In Korea, pale skin has traditionally been associated with youth, beauty, and higher social status, while tanned skin suggests hard, outdoor labour and is seen as less desirable. Personally, I love my brown skin and don’t mind a tan at all. I think it’s fascinating how something as universal as “sunlight” can mean such different things depending on where you are in the world.

It’s so interesting how different people around the world live, and I genuinely believe it’s important to respect and sometimes participate in practices outside of our own norms. You never know—you might just end up keeping them for life.