How do office workers in Korea usually handle lunch with coworkers?
I recently started working in Korea and I am still getting used to office culture. I would like to know how coworkers usually handle lunch invitations and whether there are any unspoken rules I should know.
1 Answer
Lunch customs vary by company, team, and workload, so treat them as a pattern to observe rather than a fixed rule. In many offices, coworkers decide where to eat shortly before lunchtime and invite nearby teammates. Joining occasionally is a useful way to get to know the team, especially during your first few weeks, but you usually do not need to accept every invitation. If you have other plans, a simple response such as ‘Thank you, I already have plans today, but I would love to join next time’ is polite.
Ask one trusted coworker how payment works in your team before the first group lunch. A company card, a senior colleague, or individual payment may be used depending on the workplace and occasion. Do not insist on splitting the bill if someone explains that it is a company meal, but thank the person who arranged it. Tell the group early about allergies, religious restrictions, vegetarian needs, or a tight schedule so they can choose an appropriate restaurant. If the team regularly discusses work over lunch or seems to expect attendance, ask your manager privately which lunches are optional and which are team events.