Here's a workplace greeting you can use to Korean friends you see often at the workplace. It'll come in handy and it seems pretty impressive to them (the fact it's coming from a mee-gook sah rahm) :

"Shik sah hah sheoh seo yo?" or (a little more formal) "Shik sah hah sheoh soom ni kka?"

Literal meaning: Have you had/eaten your meal (lunch/dinner) yet?
Expression/Purpose: It's a standard greeting, but shows a little more consideration
When to use it: In the vicinity of common meal times (like 1130-1330 for lunch).
Tone of expression: Say it...don't "ask" it. For example, we say "What's up?!" It's a question, but we don't really "ask" it.
Origin: I don't know...just got used to hearing it. But I guess it relates to this culture's overall importance of food/eating.

Give it shot. I guarantee you'll get a smile and/or a few positive reactions.

Is that a sarcastic question?

"Mee Gook sah rahm" refers to the person's race rather than citizenship, though.

Yes, that is really more of a greeting that a question. However, it's sort of a Korean thing, so I (not being Korea) would just leave it for them to use and not use it myself.

__________________
Check out my:
Myspace
Writings at Asian Sirens (Not work safe)

Welcome! (Alpope23 put some nice photos of his Inchon school kids on Xanga.) I'll check out your Blog.

I use the "have you had lunch" icebreaker occasionally, sort of to surprise folks who think this Mee Gook sah rahm doesn't know any Korean! I always enjoy the surprised look they get! To me, it is a great way to create a conversation, in either language, and perhaps a new friendship. It is simple to learn, and can impress a lady, also! Of course, a pocketful of hard candy works just as well...

You can use that expression everywhere. The polite form is good to know for when you're in the workplace. But, even on the phone or anytime it's a greeting that's often used. If you're talking to your close friend or someone younger than you, you can say "Bap mogo sah?" Or, "Bap mogosoyo". I'd be careful with the first one - it's really informal. But, the second one is OK and slightly polite.
Shik sa = meal
Bap = rice or meal
The verb Mogda = to eat (informal)
The verb Chapsushida = to eat (formal)
The verb Dushida = to eat (formal)

Some good sayings at meal time:

Mani Chapsushipshio (literally, eat a lot) - enjoy your meal
Dushipshio - please eat this
Mani mogo - (to child or VERY close friend) - enjoy your meal/eat a lot
Soju reul mashigyeshimnikka? - Do you want to drink soju?
Muoseul mashigyeshimnikka? - What are you going to drink?

Please, if I made some mistakes let me know. I'm studying Korean now, but I'm learning the standard formal forms for now. Let me know if some of these expressions are not so common.

Wow! That's pretty advanced stuff, Agashi.

I don't ever recall even Koreans using some of those terms. Specifically, I'm referring to, for example, the "mashigyeshimnikka" (마시겠심니까) you have down. I've only heard "mashi gye SOOM nik kah" (마시겠음니까).

I can't argue with you because it looks like stuff you're pulling out of textbooks. I have observed that Korean language still evolves today. For example, I heard the word 'every day' as pronounced "Mehn-nahl" but the correct pronounciation (as well as spelling) is "Mahn-nahl":

맨날 is wrong now
만날 is correct now

(even though I never actually heard anyone use it)

Anyway, I don't think you have any mistakes.

Oh, everyone, important advice...NEVER, EVER say "cheoh meo geoh rah" or "yeot meoh geoh rah" when it comes to telling them to eat or you'll get a beat down! Don't let your Korean buddies play tricks on you.

Agashi- I'm proud of you! excellent phrases to learn!

Strangers to the language won't understand the differences between the "impolite", common, and honorific forms without a little background,
but if they are interested, they will be encouraged to ask and find out.

Eddie-superman as always- I like to see both languages, as pronunciation suffers unless the hangul is there, no matter how hard we try. Folks, Eddie has the best romanization around! Copy him. (The way he describes sounds in English.)

I haven't seen the "mashigyeshimnikka" either. There may be a question, as I've got two Koreans arguing about it here. Guess it is like in English-not everyone knows the textbook way, not all textbooks are perfect, and there often is more than one correct way. I certainly don't know. But remember, if it weren't for our differences there would be no forums! Keep posting!

Shik sa = meal
Bap = rice or meal
The verb Mogda = to eat (informal)
The verb Chapsushida = to eat (formal) ---->It's not often used.
The verb Dushida = to eat (formal) ---> It's often used.

Some good sayings at meal time:

Mani Chapsushipshio (literally, eat a lot) - enjoy your meal --------> It's not often used.
Dushipshio - please eat this ----> It's not often used.
Mani mogo - (to child or VERY close friend) - enjoy your meal/eat a lot
Soju reul mashigyeshimnikka? - Do you want to drink soju? --------> It's not often used.
Muoseul mashigyeshimnikka? - What are you going to drink? ------->It's not often used.

Soju mashilreyo ? -----> It's normality expression.
Muoseul mashilreyou ? ----> It's normality expression.
or Mo mashilreyo ? ----> It's natural expression.
"shimnikka ? " is very courteous expression. OK ?


Good luck !.

Where was this kind of info when I was in? Oh yeh wwe were still using manuel typewriters then LOL

__________________
Just my humble opinion!

I'm learning every day now!
When I first saw your "Avatar" I just glanced at it and saw "Ahn Cool", (because Ahn Kul didnt make sense to me!)
Today I looked closer at it! 한 근 !!!
Now it all makes sense! HAN GUL !
************************************************** For those who do not have a Korean Keyboard. Above the letter=shift. Ignore English letters -learn the positions only.
ㅃ ㅉ ㄸ ㄲ ㅆ
Q W E R T Y U I O P
ㅂ ㅈ ㄷ ㄱ ㅅ ㅛ ㅕ ㅑ ㅐ ㅔ

A S D F G H J K L
ㅁ ㄴ ㅇ ㄹ ㅎ ㅗ ㅓ ㅏ ㅣ

Z X C V B N M
ㅋ ㅌ ㅊ ㅍ ㅠ ㅜ ㅡ

(Didn't come out perfect- one letter per character.)