[edit] Visiting a Home 가정방문
You may occasionally be invited to a Korean's home during the time you live in Korea. Let's learn what needs to be remembered.
Most often, such invitations will be on the occasion of a child's first birthday, someone else's birthday, or a housewarming (집들이) event to celebrate someone's moving into a new home. Just as in other countries, the owners of the home will make great effort to prepare food for the guests and to clean the house.
[edit] Child's First Birthday 돌잔치
The day a child has been in the world for a full year is called dol (돌). Family and friends from work are invited to the home or to a buffet restaurant to share in the joy. Gifts given on this occasion should be things that are simple and not a major burden, such as clothes for the child, or money put in an envelope.
When people go as a group, for example, the people who work with one of the child's parents, they will give a "first birthday ring" (dol banji 돌 반지)
[edit] Birthdays 생일날
Special friends are invited to the home on someone's birthday. There will be food and cake enjoyed together with the guests that have been invited. Gifts should be simple but sufficient in expressing your sincerity of heart.
[edit] Housewarmings 집들이
When people move into a new house they celebrate with a housewarming party (jipdeuri 집들이). It is usually close friends and fellow workers who are invited. A common gift given at a jipdeuri is detergent (세제), because guests want to wish the home success like the bubbles it creates. People also give other items commonly needed in starting a new household. If you go to a jipdeuri together with other people from your place of work, you might purchase your gift together.
[edit] Homestay 홈스테이
Homestay programs are a good way to learn in a Korean home about the customs, food, and family live of the Korean people. It becomes an opportunity to become closer on a human level.
[edit] Practices and Rules to Follow 관습•규칙 확인
Every home has certain practices. It is wise to ask about anything you may find strange. Staying together will be much more interesting if you use Korean expressions in conversation as possible. There is an expression that says "When in Rome, do as the Romans." Let's work to understand even the living habits that we find difficult to endure.
[edit] Food 음식물
If for religious or health reasons there are certain foods you are unable to eat, make sure this is understood from the start. During a long stay you may find there are times when you are not interested in eating Korean food. Don't do the impossible, but speak frankly with someone in the family.
[edit] Preparing a Gift 선물 준비
The first time you go for homestay you may hesitate about what to give as a gift, as you still do not know the family well. This is because cultural differences sometimes mean that despite good intentions, there can still be room for misunderstanding. It is a good idea to give something that is not "too much" for the person receiving the gift, but that still is an expression of your heart. If you ever have to make a sudden visit to a home, seasonal fruit is a good idea for a gift. If a planned visit, a folk craft from your home country
would be a good idea. This might be better received than you might otherwise
expect.
