This is a list of simple advice regarding life in Korea. Advice may be on just about any subject, but it should be accurate and useful to the average person.

[edit] Language

• Word for bathroom: 화장실 hwa-jang-shil
• subway: 지하철 jee-ha-chull

[edit] Outside

• Motor traffic moves on the right, but pedestrian traffic moves on the left, so if somebody is walking straight towards you, walk to the left, and they'll probably walk to their left.
• Just standing in line at the convenience store is not always enough; if you do not make a move or sometimes even actively block the person behind you you may lose your place. Be especially careful of those who believe their shopping to be of the highest priority due to it being merely a pack of cigarettes, gum, or a single bottle of soju. Blocking a person will not result in a fight like in the west so do not fear.
• Western toilets are fairly prevalent in cities, tourism, and travel areas, but the squat toilet is very much alive and well here. Therefore, make sure that you plan in advance if you are out travelling in rural areas.
• Also, make sure that you buy small packets of toilet paper with you and keep one in your bag or inside jacket pocket, always, especially when travelling throughout the country. Many squats don't keep abundant rolls of TP, if any.
• If you are a woman smoking outside you may get lectured by middle-aged men.

[edit] Subway

• You'll probably find subways here get a bit more crowded than you're used to back home, if you had one back home. At peak hours, people will shove -- hard -- to get into the subway. And you can too! No one will bat an eyelid.
• If you're standing, and a sitting person tugs on your bag, they're not trying to steal it or get your attention. They're offering to hold it for you. This is a normal thing, and does not imply that you're now friends or have to have a conversation. More likely they'll ignore you. You can retrieve your bag (or whatever package) when you leave, or when they leave themselves with a simple 감사합니다 "gam-sa-ham-ni-da" (polite "thank you").
• The sets of three seats at the very ends of subway cars are reserved for the elderly, sick, disabled, pregnant, those with small children, etc. These seats are truly reserved, like at a restaurant. This is not like back home. Unless you're in one of those groups, don't sit there ever.

[edit] Accomodation and residential life

• Get your lock changed and a copy of your key made; give it to somebody you trust a lot.
• Find out what color garbage bag you're supposed to use or your landlady or neighbors might get mad at you.
• Ask what the recycling procedure is in your area, and follow it. People have been fined for not recycling.
• Don't be surprised if your stove doesn't have an oven. Most don't.