A bow, handshake, two-handed exchange, wave, hug, or linked arm has meaning through a particular Korean relationship, not through a single hierarchy rule. Regional background, generation, workplace, disability, gender, and friendship all matter. Practise the words and movement for one real listener, then let your partner correct the setting as well as the form.
Speech and movement signal the same relationship
A small bow may accompany a greeting, apology, thanks, or leave-taking, while a handshake can be combined with two-handed support in formal situations. Practise the words and movement together for one listener; exaggerated bowing from entertainment media usually obscures rather than teaches the interaction.
Greetings and touch
Nods, slight bows, and handshakes are common depending on setting. Hugging among close friends appears in some circles. Never insist on physical contact.
Receiving with care
Accepting items with both hands is appreciated in many contexts. It is courtesy, not a rigid exam.
Video calls from home
Partners may join from shared family rooms or after long study or workdays. Camera-off moments can be about privacy, appearance norms, or bandwidth — ask what they prefer.
Hierarchy is not visible from one cue
A bow, two-handed exchange, quiet response, or lowered gaze may reflect the moment, but it does not reveal the entire relationship. Speech level, workplace role, age, and personal style interact. If a learner misses a cue, a brief apology and question usually work better than freezing or exaggerating formality for the rest of the call.
Keep in mind
A bow or two-handed exchange is one moment, not a complete hierarchy. Pair what you see with the speech level, setting, and preference your partner gives you.
Questions to ask your language partner
- How do speech level and body language work together when greeting someone older or more senior?
- When is a bow, handshake, two-handed gesture, or casual wave natural in your life?
- How do close friends use touch differently from colleagues or new acquaintances?
- What changes when a video call takes place from a family home or small shared space?
- How should I recover if I use the wrong level of formality in a greeting?