I walked into a cosmetics shop, and the clerk didn't say a word. But after I paid, I found a handful of samples in a small bag. An international student asked. "Teacher, they say this is 'service.' What does 'service' mean? Is it free?" Let's open up that bag and look inside, one item at a time. ## What's Inside the Bag? There are creams, essences, and sheet masks in small pouches. Samples of newly released products are often mixed in, too. In Korea, "service" means "it's on the house." It's different from the English word "service," so it can be confusing at first. ## Why don't they talk to you? Korean cosmetics stores leave customers on their own. Many customers feel uncomfortable when a staff member keeps talking right beside them. Instead, they put testers in the store so customers can try the products on themselves. If you're curious about something, you can just call over a staff member. The silence isn't coldness; it's a way of saying, "Take your time and browse comfortably." ## Why do they include samples? There are two reasons. The first is 'jeong (情)', a sense of warmth and affection. Just as the vendor adds an extra handful when you buy bean sprouts at the market, Koreans share a bit of heart as a little extra even when buying and selling goods. The second is marketing. You can only know whether a cosmetic suits your skin by trying it. If you like the sample, you'll probably buy the full-size product next time. Here's a tip you can try right away. When you use a sample for the first time, try it on the inside of your arm first. If you want to get more, smile at checkout and say, "Do you have any other samples?" Just go ahead and ask. It's okay if they say no.