Influence of Korean culture

on business practice

Nicoleta Iacob
AISI anul II

1. Introduction
2. Table manner
3. Punctuality
4. Gift Giving
5. Gender behavior
6. Superstition
7. Religion
8. Bibliography

1. Introduction
International business deals not only cross borders, they also cross cultures. Culture
profoundly influences how people think, communicate, and behave. It also affects the kinds of
transactions they make and the way they negotiate them. Differences in culture between business
executives can create barriers that impede or completely stymie the negotiating process. The
increasing interdependence between nations, businesses and people has brought the importance
of national cultures to the forefront. For the international business person, doing business in
foreign countries brings with it cross cultural challenges. An understanding of a country's
business culture, attitudes and etiquette is a useful way of establishing good interpersonal
relationships which ease the business process.
South Korea has to be classed as one of the worlds great economic success stories. Along
with Taiwan, South Korea is the only country which has recorded five consecutive decades of
economic growth in excess of 5%. This is an amazing achievement which is the result of careful
governmental macro-engineering, sound business practice and sheer hard work from the
population at large. Economists feel that, given the lengthy stagflation seen in Japan, that it will
not be too long before South Korean levels of prosperity are at a par with Japan. Both South
Korea and Japan are intensely conformist societies (one of the many similarities between the two
countries) but they differ in one fundamental thing. When faced with hardship or adversity the
Japanese tend to turn inwards and backwards towards the familiar and comfortable whereas the
South Koreans are absolute masters of change and rebuild. If things arent working, they just
change them and they have proved adept at doing this very quickly and very effectively you
only need to look at the contrasting reactions to the crisis that hit Asia in the 1990s. Japan is,
arguably,

still

recovering

while

South

Korea

has

long

been

in

rude

health.

South Korea has also re-invented itself as the cultural epicentre of Asian culture. Korean pop
music, or K-pop, has been exported with great success all over the continent and Korean TV
dramas are watched from Tokyo to Beijing. South Korean films are the enormously popular
throughout Asia (with the exception of India) and the level of Koreas cultural influence
continues to grow. This is not to say that South Korea doesnt face significant challenges. The
inexorable rise of China and the political, cultural and military influence that comes in its wake
is something all Asian countries wrestle with. The politicians in Seoul have the ever-present

dilemma of how to deal with hard-line communist North Korea. In addition, South Korea faces
increasing competition from lower wage competitors in the region and will need to draw on all
its reserves of flexibility and tenacity to stay ahead of the game.

2. Table manners
South Koreans practice some quite interesting dining etiquette. It is one of the traditional
chopstick cultures. Proper conduct when using the chopsticks is very important if you would like
to present a good image to the Koreans. It is consider a rude behaviour to point with your
chopsticks when you are talking or trying to point at something or somebody. So, remember to
put down your chopsticks if you would like to talk with your hand motions. Do not leave your
chopsticks sticking out of the rice bowl. This is a taboo, as they practise this in a funeral ritual.
Always use chopsticks when picking up the food. Avoid using your bare hands however more
convenient that will be. It is alright to ask for a fork if you are struggling with the metal and flat
shaped chopsticks. Avoid making noises with spoon or chopsticks like hitting the rice bowl or
other food containers. This is considered as rude behaviour. Avoid leaving anything on your
plate. You can indicate that you are full by keeping your chopsticks resting on the table.

Upon arrival to restaurant

Upon arrival at dinner table, it is best to wait till you are told where to sit. Korean follows
some rules regarding who should sit where. Avoid committing an ignorant mistake by helping
yourself to an empty seat beside a pretty lady. The seat farthest away from the entrance door is
considered the best spot. Therefore it is best to reserve it for the important customers, bosses or
elderly.

While dining

Koreans are very respectful of the elders. It is considered a respectful act for the younger
generation to wait for the eldest person or the senior manager to eat first. Avoid helping yourself
with your food as soon as it arrives on the table, no matter how hungry you may be. Wait for the
elders to hold their spoon before you take yours, and keep pace with them. When sitting, sit with
your body in an upright, straight position. Do not hunch your back. Korean often say no when

being offer food to eat, even when he wishes to take more of the food. After the first helping,
their etiquette expects the first offer of the second helping to be refused. The Koreans will then
insist that you take the second helping, it is then considered alright to accept it. Of course, you
can politely decline when you are full. Start the meal by tasting the soup, follow by trying the
rice or other dishes. Please use the spoon for rice and liquid foods, such as stews or soups. Use
the chopsticks for other foods. Avoid holding the rice bowl or soup bowl in your hand during the
meal. Rice and soup bowl should always be on the table. Avoid poking around the rice or side
dishes with the spoon or chopsticks. If you dislike certain food in the dish, you dont have to try
them. However, do not pick out what you don't like or remove the seasonings. Avoid having
traces of food sticking onto the spoon or chopsticks while eating. During the meal, inedible parts
such as bones should be quietly discarded by wrapping them in a tissue paper before placing it
on the table so that others won't see them. Do not put the discarded food without wrapping on the
table or floor. If you have to cough or sneeze while having a meal, face to the other direction
where there are no people facing you, away from the person sitting in front of you or beside you.
Cover your mouth with your hand or napkin before you cough or sneeze. Side dishes are
presented for each section of the table. Eat the rice and side dishes from only one side of the
table belonging to your section; do not cross to other side of the table for more servings. If you
need more side dishes, you can ask for free refill. It is considered impolite to use your hands to
pick up the foods and put into your mouth. Always use the chopsticks and spoon. Do not reach
across the table for distant food. Please ask a nearby person to pass it to you. When chewing
food, chew silently with your mouth closed and do not make any noise while chewing. Avoid
leaving the table while eating unless you really need to go to the washroom. To conclude the
meal, Koreans like to consume sungnyung, a traditional Korean beverage made from boiled
scorched rice. The common practice is to pour sungnyung into the rice bowl and drink. If you do
not like the taste, you can drink some and leave it aside. When using a toothpick, cover your
mouth with one hand and discard the toothpick when you are done, and place it under a napkin
so that it is invisible to others. At the end of the meal, when the seniors or customers are getting
up, you should get up together.

When you dine at someones home make sure you remove your shoes. You will probably sit
at a table or, more traditionally, on the floor in the middle of the room. Allow the more senior
members of your party to enter rooms ahead of you.

3. Punctuality
One of the most important etiquette in South Korea is punctuality. Make sure that you will go
to the meeting right on the time set and if ever you will be late for the meeting, give them a call
prior to the time of meeting. It is also necessary that you would book for any meetings in
advance like a week or so to ensure that your appointment will be set accordingly. Koreans
expect Westerners to be punctual for business and social occasions. On the other side, foreigners
should prepare to wait because Korean executives busy schedules as well as heavy traffic may
make them up to a half-hour late for business meeting. For social occasions many Koreans
follow Korean time, which means they arrive up to a half-hour late. Korean time describes
the widespread tardiness or, more specifically, the relaxed attitude with which Koreans approach
appointment times.

4. Gift giving
Giving gifts is included in the list of etiquette in Korean business. It is a way of securing
favors between the business relationships and can help in building its foundation. A part of the
practice is exchanging gifts with your colleague, making it a must to bring something reciprocate
the gift once one is given to you. You can choose to place a logo of your business in the case of
package or the gift and add some touches of craftsmanship and beauty along with it. Whenever a
gift is given, it is necessary that you will offer some resistance unless the giver offers it again for
the second time. It is also showing a form of respect if you will not open the gift in front of the
giver unless you would ask them if they like you to do so.
The exchange of gifts is an important part of Korean life, closely linked to showing respect,
keeping good kibun (mood or feeling of being in a comfortable state of mind), and being
courteous. A gift of fruit, flowers, wine or liquor should be taken whenever you visit someones
home. When visiting the home of a Korean family, a small gift for pre-school children, if there

are any in the home, and one for the most elderly person, a grandparent for instance, would also
be considered courteous.
Business gifts are still common in Korean society and are often presented at the first meeting.
The most expensive/highest value gift should be given to the person of highest rank with
colleague of equal rank receiving a gift of similar value. Gifts have long been seen as a means of
influencing (bribing) decision makers. However, the intent of the gift at the first business
meeting is to set the foundation for the relationship and is often reciprocal. The gift is presented
to the recipient with both hands as are most items handed over by or to a Korean even in the
office or at a shop. A Korean will usually apologize for the gifts insignificance, even when it is
of high value. Gifts are never opened in front of the giver. In fact, visitor sometimes quietly leave
a gift on a table for the host to find later. Great baskets of flowers, plants and blossoming shrubs
in pots, tied with colorful ribbons on which congratulatory messages are written in beautiful
calligraphy, line the doorways of newly-opened shops and at special ceremonies or
performances. Notes of thanks do not follow. A gift represents your appreciation of a dinner or
other invitations, and the hospitality you received is the pleasure and honor of your host.
Traditional Korean gifts for a family that has just moved into a new house are candles and a large
box of matches and/or laundry detergent. This practice continues today, regardless of the wealth
of the recipient. For the Korean Chuseok holidays, an appropriate gift would be fruit, wine or
other food and drink. On New Years, children are given good-luck money. It is traditional for
Korean businessmen to give gifts to those who have helped them or to those who may assist
them in the future. In the latter case, these gifts may carry a connotation of thanks in advance
for favorable consideration. Many Western companies have rules about the acceptance of such
gifts, which are usually delivered by junior staff members. Any such gift may be refused or
returned but not without great protests from the giver; gift giving is a delicate matter that cannot
be easily brushed away. There is considerable debate underway in Korea society today about
whether gift giving is appropriate in business and politics as this cultural tradition has been
abused as a form of corruption. The proper gift brought by Koreans to any family occasion is
money. At weddings, there is a table placed at the entrance where each guest is greeted and his
gift accepted and even recorded for either the grooms or the brides side. However, many
Westerners feel uncomfortable with this custom and even, many Koreans feel more comfortable
buying household items such as electrical appliance, glasses, crystal, etc. and leaving the

wrapped package on the table on the day of the wedding. Giving a gift instead of money is
especially appropriate given a Westerns status or position. The manager of an office or one of
the chief officers of a firm would be expected to give the largest cash gift. By bringing a wrapped
gift of moderate worth, there are no hard feelings on either side. Brand names are very important
in Korea. As people here are very much into 'brand awareness, it's not always the gift item that
counts, but rather it's first-class or luxury brand name. To bring 'Canadian Club' whiskey from
Canada is you're Canadian would be well received as would something connected or specific to
your home region, etc. Something that is either very difficult to find or extremely expensive in
Korea is another option. If you're bringing the gift from another country and are not aware yet of
what is hard-to-get here, best to bring something associated with your home country/or where
you've purchased it or a high end luxury brand.
Gift wrapping is very important in Korea, as well. How the gift looks on the outside is almost
(sometimes more) important than the item itself. Traditionally, a gift is not opened at the time it
is received or in front of the giver. However, Koreans who have lived abroad or who have
worked with people from the West, may, out of respect for the foreigner giving them the gift,
open it right away. Don't be offended, though, if they don't or if they never mention the gift to
you.

5. Gender behavior
Korea is a male-dominated society in which women play supportive roles to men. The
mentality of modern Koreans is still shaped largely by the teachings of Confucius. Confucianism
places women in a distinctly inferior role, and Korean business observe the Confucian rule.
Women of exceptional skills or talent may achieve some success in business, but not likely. They
are usually relegated to inferior positions such as secretary. The result is that the women with
high levels of education and training are likely to be frustrated in their attempts to find
challenging or creative positions in business. While the situation has markedly improved, women
are still second-class citizens in Korea. Women are not generally accepted as business
executives, although this is slowly changing and when doing business with Western women,
South Koreans do accept them as equals.

6. Superstitions
As one of its national character traits, Korea is awash with superstition. Native superstition is
a common anthropological-sociological feature in tribal societies, and Korea ranks rather high on
this score. Indeed, Koreas reliance on superstition is quite striking. In spite of its world-class
advancement in technology and manufacturing, Koreas propensity for the superstitious, the
supernatural, or the primeval has few equals in the world, and among the advanced nations,
none. From setting wedding dates to naming a new-born, from starting a new business to making
a movie, Koreans go through an elaborate ritual to appeal to the superstitious oracles, whether it
is fortune-tellers, shamans, or diviners.

Fan Death

A common Korean superstition that has been present in South Korean culture for quite some was
after the invention of the electric fan. A really random idea from a random person thought that
having an electric fan running overnight in a closed room (doors and windows shut) could kill
you by either suffocation or hypothermia. This phenomenon is known as Fan Death and it has
become so popular in the Korean culture that companies who make fans started to incorporate
timers in these electric fans so that you can set it to turn off by itself when you are asleep.

Whistling At Night

There was this common Korean superstition that whistling at night should be prohibited in order
to keep the ghosts and snakes out of the household. Although there is no significant scientific
evidence to back this superstition up, its probably just best to not whistle at all since it deals
with the supernatural.

The number four

The number 4( ) in the sino-korean numbering system is pronounced sah. This Korean
superstition is derived from the fact that this pronunciation sounds similar to the Chinese word
for Death. Much like the number 13 in the west, Korean elevators will skip the 4th floor. This
superstition is also prevalent in many other countries in SE Asia such as China, Japan, Singapore,
Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

Writing Names In Red Ink

Its bad luck to write names in red ink. The main reason is that the names of the deceased used to
be written in red. Therefore, if you write someones name in red, youre giving that person a
death wish! Youre safe with other words in red, but make sure the names stay in standard blue or
black ink.

7. Religion
Koreans follow a variety of religious ideas and organized religions. They always have
because as practical people, they have tried different ways to reach a fundamental Korean ideal;
a sense of harmony and balance in everything. The Republic of Korea's flag represents this ideal.
The central circle is divided in two halves. The top red part is yang, the positive cosmic force
meaning fire, day, light, and all things constructive. The bottom blue half represents the passive
side of existence - water, night, death and repose. Yet the two are joined perfectly into a whole.
The bars in the four corners of the flag are also about harmony and balance. The three lines on
the left side mean "heaven." The broken lines opposite it at the bottom right are "earth." The bars
at the top right, two broken and one solid, mean "water," while the lines opposite mean "fire."
According to this theory all life, and even the cosmos, is balanced in this way.

The oldest religious ideas in Korea are called Shamanism today. These are beliefs that the
natural world is filled with spirits, both helpful and harmful, that can be addressed by people
with special powers called shamans. Herbal medicines, dances, chants and other ceremonies
mark the work of shamans, most of whom are women. Though few people believe in the
religious ideas today, they do accept old ideas about the natural world and use many ancient
herbal remedies. Confucianism permeates the Korean life. It influences both the personal lives

and business world in a high extent. Confucianism is an ancient Chinese way of thought that has
spread through much of East Asia, and it is often described as a religion, which is not completely
right. In general, Confucianism influences South Korean society very much in many different
ways, such as the status, social contacts, relationships with others, etc. For example, Korean
status is determined by age, gender, education, family background, wealth, occupation, and
political ideology. Social contacts determine success. Genealogy and backgrounds are important
and determine how people are treated in the hierarchical society. South Koreans tend to be very
friendly, and their culture has a strong emphasis on group ties. An individual is expected to
consider the benefits and interests for the whole group/community which he/she belongs to. The
Korean society, as a collectivist society like many other Asian countries, requires people living in
a harmonious family. Consistent with the concept of Kibun, people are not supposed to
embarrass others or cause others losing face in public. People are expected to avoid disturbing
others Kibun by considering the family as a whole. In other words, South Koreans are
generally more group-oriented and collectivist. The impact of this culture to South Korean
business manifests especially in decision making and negotiations. Usually, it takes longer for
South Koreans to make a final decision, because all of the members need to consider others
opinions and values. The decision is based on the careful consideration of the interests of the
whole team, and at thesame time, maintaining the stable Kibun environment. Therefore, when
negotiating with South Koreans, Americans or other Westerners should be aware of this culture,
and be patient during the negotiation process, or be prepared that the negotiation process may
take more than one meetings to complete the deals. They should also appreciate the collectivism,
and think in terms of the good of the whole team, to successfully negotiate business with
Koreans.

Bibliography
1.
2.
3.
4.

www.korea.insights.co.kr
http://www.jimsjournal.org/21%20Choong%20Y.%20Lee.pdf
http://www.seoulsync.com/
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/