Korean Culture: Why Koreans ask each other's age?

 

When Koreans introduce themselves, they usually reveal their ages.

If you don't say your age, someone may ask your age like this;

"나이가 어떻게 되세요?"[naiga eotteoke doeseyo] or "연세가 어떻게 되세요?"[yeonsega eotteoke doeseyo]

'나이[nai]' means 'age.'

'연세[yeonse]' is an honorific word for an age.

In Korea, age is an important factor in relationships.

If someone is older than me, I should respect that person more.

If someone is younger than me, I have to be more considerate of that person.

And most of Koreans can get closer when they know each other's ages.

So if a Korean asks your age, don't be so embarrassed.