The end of year brings a lot of drinking parties. For this special occasion take time to get some facts straight about drinking etiquettes in Korea before you pay by experience.

The most important thing about drinking manners is how you behave toward your seniors. Guide your senior to the most comfortable seat and then follow suit. It is courtesy to always accept the first glass offered to you. Accept it politely with both hands. If you are with people of riper years turn your upper body to face the opposite side of your senior when you drink.

There are a few things to keep in mind when you pour liquor yourself. With your right hand cover the label of the bottle and pour with bottom of the bottle pointing to your body. If you are sitting on the floor with your shoes off pour while kneeling. If you are seated in chairs stand up to pour.

Fill about 90 percent of the glass. When toasting be sure to clink your glass slightly lower than your senior’s.

A young American said, “In Korea, everybody pulls all-nighters when they go drinking. It was funny what they called ‘running away’ when the drinking parties were too much for some drinkers.”

A Chinese student commented, “I thought the games people play in pubs were intriguing until I found out that the games were just another way to force people to drink more, I was horrified.”