the oldest people are usually served first, and it is thought rude to pick up chopsticks or eat before the oldest people do so. in korea, unlike in china and japan, the rice bowl is not lifted up from the table. spoons should not hit bowls while eating. you must not talk about dirty things. some rules are now not important. for instance, talking used to be discouraged, but today people usually talk together at meals. also, men usually ate at a different table than women, but now they eat all together. in korea, they have both spoons and chopsticks, and together they are called "sujeou" (pronounced soo-juh - 수저). usually, before they eat, people say, "jalmukgessemnidah (잘 먹겠습니다)", and after they are finished, they say, "jalmuggussemnidah (잘 먹었습니다)." soups and stews must be set on the right side of the person who is eating.