Social Custom

Eating With Koreans
Here are some tips while you start wandering around in Korea,before you enter a Korean’s house, or even a korean restaurant, always remember to have your shoes remove before entering the area. And the most importantly, do not charge to a nearest sit, wait for a waiter to guide you to table.

In order to respect to the elders, you’ll have to let the elders eat first before you start. When you’re done eating, you should place the chopsticks on the table or chopstick rest. 

In Korea,drinking liquor is a must while having dinner. So while your drink is being poured, you should hold your glass with both hands as a gestures of respect. You have to turn slightly away from a senior when quaffing. And most importantly is do not leave anything on your plate, be responsible and finish all your food.

Legal & Ethics

Koreans believe basically in higher level business ethics. They make unethical business decisions which conflict with personal values due to prevailing business practices. When they are exercising the higher ethical standard, it is useful for long-term profit and it helps to improve workers’ attitude. 

Cultural Context

South Korea is a high-context society. It uses high context messages. People in South Korea are more socially orientated, and more confrontation-avoiding. When a high-context society is to be compared with a low-context society, for example, South Korea is to be compared to USA, people in South Korea are more trouble dealing with new situations . Well, Koreans have a strong sense in history and tradition, thus, they have more sensitive to nuances and advertising with full of the local and cultural images. They thought that fewer words spoken are better than many. Furthermore, when they meet problems, they tend to ask questions more to get help from others and not solving it individually .

Non verbal communication

Personal Appearance

Some similarities could be found between the traditional garments of men and women in Korea.

The culture and roles of the wearer will affect the functional differences of the traditional wear.

One of the main pieces of women's wear is the Ch'ima, which is a rectangular or a cylindrical skirt. The waistband is carefully pleated and worn high, being tied with long sashed above the chest.

Carrying the influence of the Confucian society,which is a chinese society that had an enormous impact on Korea for centuries, the Ch'ima effectively hides most aspects of the female form. Besides, the Ch’ima also carry out the taste or the standard of a woman in South Korea.

One of the Korean men’s garments is the Paji. Paji is described as a trousers, and it was also originally designed with a narrow leg to synchronized with to carry out horse riding back then. But over time,te Koreans realize that narrow legs made squatting in fields and sitting on floors very difficult, thus leading them to the broaden the legs into baggier, more comfortable designs. So that the one who wears it can wear it with a more comfortable way.

Greetings:

In Korea, people bow when they first met someone.The man will usually bow and shake the opponents’ hand with manners.The right hand is to shake and the left hand is to support or rest the right hand as a manner.However between woman, they will just bow and they usually just give out a sligt bow compared to the men.

In a different case, when the both sides are close friends or relatives, they will just do a simple nod.

But, children will still have to bow to the adults as a gratitution to the adults. Gratitution from the younger to adults are really important to Koreans or else their family would be blamed for not educating the young ones properlly

Gestures:

Korean passes items to another person with both of their hands or by using the left hand to support the right hand while the right hand passes the item the other person.

Besides, Koreans beckon by waving the fingers together with the palm down.

Beckoning with the index finger is considered rude and will offend the other party's feelings.

Conducting business

Business card ethics

Business cards is a must in South Korea when you do business. While giving out or receiving a business card, do it with both hands, and read it before keeping it away into a business card holder to show appreciation, shoving the cards into your pocket immediately after receiving them is strongly prohibited.

Gift Giving Etiquette

Giving gifts is an essential part in conducting business in South Korea. Gifts are given in order to secure a more closer and friendly relationship. Bringing presents from a native country would be a excellent exampe as a token of appreciation to the partner.

Besides, office items are best for first visits,then try bringing items of beauty or craftsmanship after that. Overly priced presents are not suggested because your partner would have to get a present that has a equal value to yours in order to compete for the present's value.

Lastly, gifts are usually not opened immediately in front of others, unless the giver insists you to do so.

Meetings

You’ll have to make meetings in advance while doing business in South Korea. The most convenient times for doing business are between 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Try your best to avoid public holidays such as the Lunar New Year or the Moon Festival.

In additon to that, being punctual on time is essential in South Korea. However, if your client shows up late at meeting be sure not to show negative feelings.

Before focusing in business, a good relationship is prior to a healthy business relationship in Korea. A 1st meeting should always be focused on building relationship instead of focusing on business matters.

Here are the etiquette when going to company dinners