Be a guest in living places
Temples, old houses and neighbourhood lanes are part of everyday life.
A place can be an attraction and a home
A temple is a place of worship, even when visitors are welcome. A handsome hanok may be a family home, guesthouse or working shop. Look for the public entrance and follow the signs rather than treating every open doorway as an invitation.
Pause at the threshold
Check before entering a prayer hall or a room with a raised floor. Remove shoes where signs or staff ask you to; there is no rule that shoes come off everywhere on temple grounds. If unsure, wait at the doorway and ask.
Ask before making the picture
Read photography notices inside halls and exhibitions. Ask before photographing a person, a ceremony or the inside of a home. A quiet question is easier to answer than a camera already pointing at someone. Accept a refusal and move on.
Leave room for ordinary life
Keep voices low in residential lanes, leave gates and doorsteps clear, and carry rubbish to a suitable bin. In managed visitor areas, follow the posted boundaries and visiting times. A neighbourhood is easier to enjoy when residents can still use it comfortably.