Learning Korean script takes about three hours and will enhance your travels as you rush through bus stations and navigate restaurant menus. For a handy guide to Korean language and culture, purchase “Living in South Korea” published by Prolingua Associates.
Bring deodorant
Sure, you could find deodorant here, but it could take a while. If you’ve ever been on the Seoul subway during rush hour and caught a whiff of kimchi and garlic, you’d realize that it’s not one of the priorities in Korea.
Taxi Wise
Taxi drivers do not enjoy a reputation for safe guarding female passengers at night. For reasons of personal safety, women traveling alone in the evening should avoid taking cabs, especially when heading outside the city center.
Eat like a local
Start building your chopstick skills because most restaurants only provide two sticks and a spoon (still, there’s no harm in asking for a fork if you really need one—they’re commonly used in upscale restaurants and western-style eateries).
English Assistance
Need translation services in a pinch? Dial 1330 from any telephone, day or night, to be connected to a bilingual operator who will help you communicate with anyone from taxi drivers to a waitresses.
