Why do Koreans ask your age first when you first meet them? > Culture & Customs

In Korean society The biggest reason why age is important is because of ‘building relationships’! Our country has been influenced by Confucian culture since ancient times, which places great importance on etiquette. 🏯

The reason we ask your age is not to be rude, it's for this reason! 👇

• 🌸 Choose an appropriate title: There are so many different titles for calling someone in Korean! Knowing someone's age allows you to decide whether to call them 'unni', 'hyung', 'sister', 'oppa', or just by their first name. I hope you think of it as a courtesy to call each other comfortably! 🗣️
• 🤝 Decide on appropriate language (honorific/informal): In Korean, the endings used vary depending on the relationship with the other person. When you know each other’s age, you can naturally decide how to start a conversation and whether to use formal or informal language! 📑
• 💕 Close the distance: The moment we confirm our ages and decide on a title, we feel like we have gone from being strangers to knowing each other. It's a quick way to build some sort of rapport! 🏃‍♂️💨

Of course, younger generations these days pay less attention to age, but age is still an issue for many Koreans. 'A compass that tells you how to start a relationship' Same thing. 🧭

If asking your age feels too burdensome, don’t worry! just "I want to get along better as friends than because of our age!"It’s okay to say that with a smile. Any friend will understand! 🌈