South Korea

1
South Korea
2

• APPOINTMENT
• Be punctual. However, your Korean counterpart may
  be late.
• Best time for business meetings
• 1000-noon 200-400 p.m.
• Avoid mid-July to mid-August
• The most senior member of a party should enter
  the conference room first, followed by the next
  highest ranking person, and so on. The Korean
  will be seated according to their rank.

3

• CONVERSATION
• Extremely personal questions may be asked.
  (age/status conscious)
• Modesty is very important.
• Give compliment to other people, but dont single
  him/her out of a group.
• Dont confuse the history and culture of Korea
  with other Asian countries. (national pride)

4

• CONVERSATIONCONT.
• Answer questions affirmatively and in the most
  positive way, even when your information is
  negative.
• Be concise and direct in your response.
• Tone down hand motions and facial expressions
  when talking.

5

• TERMS OF ADDRESS
• Address people by their title alone or by both
  their title and family name.
• Family name given name
• Family names tend to be one-syllable while given
  names are more likely to be two-syllables.
• Nearly ¼ of the population has the last name
  Kim.
• The most common family names are Kim, Park, and
  Lee.
• Married women retain their maiden names.

6

• GIFT GIVING
• Gift giving is common and reciprocal.
• Gift from ones own country is appreciated.
• Give a gift of greater value to the senior person
  of a group.
• Cash gift should be put in an envelope.
• Expect initial resistance to receiving a gift.
• Use both hands when receiving or presenting a
  gift.
• Gifts are not opened in the presence of the giver.

7

• PUBLIC BEHAVIOR
• The elderly are highly respected.
• Eye contact is important.
• Touching is inappropriate unless the individuals
  are friends and peers.
• When talking or laughing, keep voice as quiet as
  possible.
• Criticism of any kind should be done in private.
• Dont touch other people or objects with ones
  shoes.

8

• PUBLIC BEHAVIORCONT.
• Soles of ones shoes should always point down.
• Dont cross legs in front of an authority figure.
• Dont blow your nose in front of other people.
• It is rude to beckon someone with an index
  finger.
• Cover your mouth when yawning or using a
  toothpick.

9

• ALCOHOL AND ENTERTAINING
• Korea has one of the highest per capita rates of
  alcohol consumption in the world.
• Drinking often precedes any kind of business.
• Drinking helps to build rapport, resolve a
  sensitive problem or close a difficult deal.
• Even on weeknights, heavy drinking often
  continues late into the night. Scotch is
  especially popular.
• The person of lower status, or the host, will
  offer a glass to the most honored person. (with
  both hands)

10

• KOREAN MEAL GUIDELINES
• Always use the right hand in passing and
  receiving items at the table. Allow the left hand
  to support the right arm when offering an item to
  show added respect.
• It is polite to refill your neighbors cup and
  soy sauce bowl when empty.
• Bones and shells are placed on the table or a
  spare plate.
• If you are hosting a party, offer food at least
  three times because some may be shy in accepting
  at the first invitation.
• No tipping is necessary for hotel, restaurant
  personnel or taxi drivers, except for extra
  service.