Business Etiquette in South Korea
Located in Eastern Asia and bordering the East and Yellow Seas, South Korea is an international business destination for many westerners. Featuring many companies in the automobile, semiconductor, electronics and steel industries, American businesspeople travel to South Korea to conduct meetings and make importing deals. If you have an upcoming business trip there, follow the local customs and business etiquette rules.
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Communications and Business Relationships
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South Koreans typically prefer to only do business with people they have a relationship with. According to Kwintessential, it is crucial to have a third-party introduction if you have never met or worked with a potential South Korean businessperson. This third-party person is typically called upon when a sensitive matter needs to be discussed. In normal communications, South Koreans are very direct and to the point. They will ask questions and expect you to do the same. They typically prefer you to use direct, concise responses and get to the point. Never insult or criticize your business counterparts in front of others, as this is considered very disrespectful.
Meetings
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Appointments in South Korea should be made at least three to four weeks in advance. Always arrive on time for your meetings and allow the most senior South Korean to enter the meeting room first. When meeting your contact for the first time, the general greeting etiquette is that the person of the lower status bows to the person of higher status. The person of higher status is the first one to initiate a handshake. Initial meetings will typically be more informal and serve as a platform to get to know each other better. Never remove your suit jacket unless the senior South Korean does first, and have all your handouts and meeting materials in both Korean and English.
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Dining
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South Koreans develop business relationships through social gatherings that usually involve eating and a considerable amount of alcohol. If you are invited to your contact’s home, remove your shoes before entering the house and wait to be told where to sit. Wait until the oldest (or most senior) person begins to eat before you eat. When using chopsticks, never point them at other people, use them properly and do not cross them on the chopstick rest. When you are finished eating, place your chopsticks on the rest or on the table--never across the rice bowl.
Gift Giving
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Do not give a gift that is so expensive that the person could not reciprocate it. Give fruit, flowers or chocolate when invited to your contact’s home. Gifts should be wrapped nicely in red, yellow or pink paper and given to your contact with both hands. Never wrap a gift in green, black or white paper.
Business Dress
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According to the South Korean business expert on Executive Planet, you should always dress conservatively when doing business there. This means to wear dark-colored suits and cover up your arms and legs. Men should wear white shirts and conservative ties. Women may want to wear pantsuits, because many South Korean restaurants have floor seating.
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- Photo Credit south korea flag button image by Andrey Zyk from Fotolia.com
