The official language of South Korea is Korean. While it may feel awkward at first, attempting the local language goes a long way when navigating a city and interacting with people. Practice these basic phrases to get started:

• Hello: An-nyeong-ha-se-yo
• Goodbye: An-nyeon-ghi ga-se-yo
• Thank you: Go-map-seum-ni-da
• Excuse me: Sill-ye-ham-ni-da
• Yes: Ne
• No: A-ni-yo
• Cheers: Geonbae

As you prepare to spend time in a new culture, here are some expert tips to help you get the lay of the land and feel like a true local.

• Short bows with eyes closed are a common form of greeting.
• Age is considered very important, and may be one of the first things locals ask about upon meeting you.
• Chopsticks are a staple of the cuisine and culture. Attempting to use chopsticks instead of western cutlery will earn you some respect with the locals, but be wary of using chopsticks to point at someone, poke at food, or play them like musical instruments - these are all signs of disrespect.
• If you need to put down your chopsticks while eating, put them on the table or lie them horizontally across the rim of your bowl. Avoid sticking them upright into the bowl.
• Korean food is spicy, but resist the urge to blow your nose at the table. Excuse yourself to the restroom if you need to do so.
• There is a distinct lack of public trash cans throughout the cities in South Korea. Most locals carry their trash in a bag with them until they come across one.
• Pushing and shoving isn't considered rude. Cities are incredibly crowded, and bumping into people constantly is so inevitable, that you won't be hearing any sort of "excuse me".
• Avoid comparing South Korea to other Asian countries, particularly Japan. Koreans are very proud people that value the country's individualism, and they have a rocky history with Japan.

South Korea's food scene is one of its most beloved aspects bursting with flavor and variety. These are just a few signature offerings to get you started off:

• Kimchi: Get ready for a lot of kimchi. Many Koreans don't consider a meal complete without these fermented vegetables.
• Bulgogi: Grilled marinated beef, often flavored with garlic and onions.
• Bibimbap: This rice-based dish is loaded up with toppings that can vary wildly but often included beef, eggs, and vegetables.
• Japchae: A typical stir fry differentiated by the use of glass noodles made from sweet potato starch.
• Fried chicken: There's a reason Korean fried chicken places have become popular elsewhere in the world. The crispy texture and sweet-and-sauces make it dangerously craveable.
• Hotteok: These sweet, syrup-filled pancakes with notes of cinnamon and peanuts are a popular street food.
• Samgyetang: A ginseng chicken soup for the soul with garlic, scallion, rice, and spices.
• Makgeolli: A light, sweet rice wine that is easy to drink but can pack a punch.
• Soju: This "Korean vodka" typically made from rice comes in a wide variety of flavors and is typically sipped neat and chilled.