Business Culture & Etiquette in Korea
Understanding another culture's etiquette is absolutely essential to building rapport and communicating effectively. For business people from the West this is particularly true of East Asian cultures like South Korea's. The customs of these two groups are so far removed from each other that it takes a concerted effort from both parties to make sure that they understand each other and don't commit a cultural faux pas.
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Meeting for the First Time
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Learn a few biographical facts about your Korean business contacts before you meet them, such as the age of the people you will meet and their company rank relative to yours. When greeting for the first time, many South Koreans will bow first, then shake hands with Westerners. The younger and/or lower ranking person bows first and utters "ma-na-su pan-gop-sumnida" (pleased to meet you) if it is the first meeting, or "an-young-sumnida" (standard greeting) if the two have met in the past.
Gift Giving
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Giving gifts is a common practice in South Korea, but it is also regulated with cultural rules. The first time someone visits a person's home he is expected to bring a gift of fruit or a flower arrangement. All gifts are to be wrapped nicely (consider having them wrapped professionally if possible). Never sign a card or write anyone's name in red ink, as a person's name is only written in red once they have passed away.
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Dining
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When invited to dine at a South Korean's house it may be understood that you will carpool with other invited guests; inquire to see if this is the case. Remove your shoes before entering the home (often a pair of slippers will be provided for you as you enter). Wait for the host to seat you. Never pierce your food with your chopsticks. Always try some of every dish placed in front of you; often the entire table shares from an assortment of small dishes scattered around the table.
Networking and Business Meetings
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South Koreans are a networking-conscious society. If you are somehow connected to a person's group by the same academic institution, social club or hobby, you will be able to network much more quickly. Informal social get-togethers often involve hefty amounts of eating, drinking and occasionally "no-re bang" (karaoke) singing. It is important to be introduced to someone by a mutually known third party. Often conflicts are handled through an intermediary as well.
Business Meetings
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Meetings are usually scheduled a month in advance. The most senior member of the meeting generally dictates the actions taken by his inferiors. For instance, how relaxed the meeting will be is determined by when the senior member removes his coat (all business meetings are conducted in conservative business attire) or drinks from a glass of water. No one else in the room is permitted to do either until he does. No jewelry other than a watch or wedding ring should be worn by either men or women.
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References
- Photo Credit south korea flag icon. (with clipping path) image by Andrey Zyk from Fotolia.com
