A Guide for Foreigners
Inside you will learn
Koreans bow when greeting and there are a few rules on how deep the bow is and who initiates it, but you will find that handshakes are increasingly popular in business, especially with non-Koreans.
There are some specific rules about giving and receiving business cards in Korea. Business Cards should be given and received with two hands, but do you know what to do next and what not to do?
Understand the importance of colour in Korean Culture and know why you should never write someone’s name in Red ink!
Job title and rank is so important in Korean office culture. You will address people using their family name followed by their position and an honourific identifier. For example Kim Daeri Nim.
An important aspect of work life in Korea are meals and gatherings like hwe shik (회식).
Koreans tend to separate work and personal life. So business entertainment is for employees and it is not common for spouses to be invited.
There are different number systems used for counting in Korea and the West and it can cause confusion. If you understand the differences and know how to approach conversations around large numbers, it will help you communicate effectively.
5 Star reviews on Amazon
I enjoyed the cultural insights and appreciated the business tips shared by the author.
Jim J
Having set up ventures in China myself I was interested to read of the similarities and the differences between these 2 Asian cultures.
Easy to read, interesting and useful insight into business interactions in South Korea. Essential if you are preparing for a meeting, business proposition, or formal social event with Koreans (in any country) but also fascinating for the tourist or student.
Clare H