Greetings with a Bow

Bowing is a big part of Korean culture. It is considered as basic good manner when you greet each other.

Source: blog.korea.net

How deep should you bow all depends on the situation, the seniority, and social status of the other person.

• Casual greeting - bend your head and waist about 15 degree, for casual meetings with friends, similar ranking colleagues and people about your age
• Common greeting - bend your head and waist about 30 degree, can be used to greet most people
• Formal greeting - bend your head and waist about 45 degree, to show the highest degree of politeness / respect

Ladies should bow with hands folded infront and men with hands by their sides. You should always bow your head with face downward.

Left: Casual Greeting; Centre: Common Greeting; Right: Formal Greeting
Source: ebonythekoreanteacher.blogspot.com

A everyday bow is always accompanied by an appropriate greeting, uttered while bowing.

For example,

안녕하세요?	Hello. Literal meaning "Are you in peace?"
an-nyeong-ha-se-yo
안녕히 계세요.	Goodbye (to the one staying). Literal meaning "Stay in peace."
an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo
안녕히 가세요.	Goodbye (to the one leaving). Literal meaning "Go in peace."
an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo

There are other types of bows and greeting etiquettes, please take a look at Korean Greetings – How to Bow for more insights.