I am heading to Korea on Sunday for a business trip and was hoping to find a book I could buy for the plane or a website that has some advice for first time business travelers to Korea. I recognize that there are cultural differences that I should be aware
2006-12-13 03:57:35 · 7 answers · asked by Mark L 1 in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Korea
Greetings,
Keep in mind that Koreans respect age differences. If you are the eldest, you do not need to worry about anything. If you are the youngest, here are a few pointers:
1. Hold your hands together. If you are male put the left over the right. If you are female, put the right over the left.
2. Bow a little from the waist and nod your head. The older the individual you are bowing to the more you should bow at the waist.
3. Sometimes handshakes will occur. The Koreans will make it obvious that they are about to shake your hand. Normally a bow will accompany it at the same time.
4. It is custom to bring gifts. [Koreans are fond of oranges and orange-juice.] There are many gift boxes of juices, chose one and offer it with both hands.
5. Never hand a Korean something with your left hand. It is very disrespectful. Always use your right hand, both, or your right with your left touching the top of your right arm.
6. Koreans do not pore drinks for themselves. It is common to pore [from oldest to youngest] and another person will pore for that person. Hold your cup with both hands to show respect.
7. Some offices require shoes to be taken off. Watch and follow those around you.
8. Keep in mind Koreans do not show emotion very often. You can show emotion and they will not think less of you. Most are very kind and willing to help you feel at ease.
Enjoy yourself. Korea is a wonderful country with very loyal and kind people. If you are lucky enough to gain friendship in Korea, you will have it for life. A short book you might try reading before your trip: Culture Shock, South Korea.
Regards,
Anesa
2006-12-15 00:28:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anesa S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Korean way, they don't cheat chat on business meeting. No funny joke to break the ice.
They tackle the issues openly, and seriously.
You might feel that they are being rude, for they don't smile much, but, that just mean they think seriously about the business.
They don't like playing games to make a deal.
Nowadays, many Korean company has developed some of the western way, still, the best way to do business with them is straight forward.
Good Luck.
2006-12-14 16:07:38 · answer #2 · answered by wonderwoman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anesa S has for the most part provided you a quick and dirty overview of what you should look out for in your business trip in Korea. Well done Anesa S!!!!
The only item that I would add is that you should also attempt to try the different foods that they may offer you. Some of them may not necessarily look too appetizing for a westerner, but still give it a shot. I found that I actually liked most of the food there, especially the pajan (not sure if I spelled it right?).
2006-12-15 07:54:02 · answer #3 · answered by Drew 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should go to the American Embassy they have lots of information. Apparantly some Koreans view a written contract as a rough guide and prefer a verbal agreement. Either way if you make a contract in Korea you need to have a bilingual lawyer
present. If your doing buisness with a big company like L.G. or Samsung you won't run into any problems as they lend to accomidate westerners quite well.
2006-12-14 12:54:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sheesh, a minimum of have the decency to grant your contemporary enterprise 2 weeks be conscious. You sound like a job customer who purely cares appropriate to the subsequent greater effective probability incredibly than treating the folk who hire you with any know. it incredibly is a super type of attempt to hire and prepare human beings and you're brazenly asserting you purpose to dismiss countless weeks of your contemporary enterprise's dedication to helping your thankless butt. i'm guessing there are a super many property you may incredibly no longer be to blame for. good luck with that subsequent job...undesirable karma has a fashion of following you around.
2016-10-05 06:35:05 · answer #5 · answered by marceau 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No orange juice! Bad choice. :P Otherwise good advices. If you are drinking traditional Korean liquor with them, be sure to turn your body to the opposite side of them and grab the glass with your right hand with your left hand slightly under your right wrist! However, they will understand if you don't anyway.
2006-12-16 15:47:51 · answer #6 · answered by cb 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are many books that you can purchase. here is one.
2006-12-13 15:10:08 · answer #7 · answered by J K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋