Business Customs

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Business Customs

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Business Information

Greetings

Men greeting Men - Korean men bow to one another when greeting and departing. The younger man should bow lower than the older man. This is most typical of the first meeting, and subsequent meetings usually involve more of a slow, polite nod. With foreigners a light handshake and a small bow will do while maintaining direct eye contact.
Women greeting Women - At a first meeting, Korean women generally bow. Handshakes are not as common.
Greetings between Men and Women - At a first meeting a slight nod or bow will do. In business settings a handshake is common.

Communication style tends to be fairly indirect. Often, co workers will not tell you that you should not do something, thought they will compliment what they consider you to be doing correctly. It is best in many situations to ask someone in a somewhat direct manner if you need help or clarification.
Due to the language barrier, understanding is often required in conversations. It is very unlikely that a Korean would say something (unwarranted) offensive to a foreigner, especially if they work together, so try to determine what the intended meaning is before reacting.

Koreans tend to prefer standing at arms lengths from one another. When meeting strangers this distance if farther.
In public arenas like the subway, a market, etc. A personal space can be quite limited and pushing is common.
Teenagers of both genders as well as most women are very comfortable in each others' spaces if friends. It is very common to see two girls or women, and often two boys, walking arm-in-arm.
People do not tend to apologize for bumping into other people or otherwise invading their personal space. This is especially true in the larger cities, like Seoul.

Traditionally, Koreans tend to favor indirect eye contact over direct, although the younger generation is comfortable with both.
During conversations both direct indirect eye contact is acceptable. Koreans usually use indirect when speaking with elders as a sign of respect. Direct eye contact is acceptable provided it is intended to help in understanding in conversation and not as staring.
Starting is generally considered inappropriate (which can be a weird effect for a foreigner when you feel very different yet no one looks at you).

Koreans place a great deal of emphasis on adhering to schedules and deadlines. They value and expect punctuality and diligence.
The bus, train, and plane schedules are usually on time and showing up to a social function the time it is called for is the norm.
People are very willing to help out and are generous with their time, provided they have no prior appointments.
If a plan is made, even if it is just to go out drinking after work, do everything within your power to follow through on those plans unless you are very sick.

It is best to point with your whole hand instead of one finger.
To encourage someone to come closer, have your palm facing down and close and open your hand. This same gesture is used when trying to get a taxi.
Beckoning with the palm up and facing toward one's face is reserved for calling animal.
When offering or receiving something, using two hands is a sign of respect.
Take your shoes off when entering a Korean home.
Spitting on the street (and occasionally in the halls of buildings) is not uncommon.

Putting one's feet on the furniture is considered extremely bad form.
Avoid eating and drinking while walking in public.
Putting your thumb in between your middle and index finger while making a fist is an obscene gesture.
Avoid red ink when signing documents as it is reserved for the deceased.
Avoid going into a house or place of worship with your shoes on.

The legal drinking age and smoking age in is 19 and enforced for the most part.
Penalties for possession, acquisition, and trafficking of drugs are severe and include heavy fines and mandatory imprisonment in local jails.
Public drunkenness is extremely common in the evening and at night, although most people are careful to care for their friends.