South Korea

 APPOINTMENT  Be punctual. However, your Korean counterpart may be late.  Best time for business meetings: 10:00-noon; 2:00-4:00 p.m.  Avoid mid-July to mid-August  The most senior member of a party should enter the conference room first, followed by the next highest ranking person, and so on. The Korean will be seated according to their rank.

 CONVERSATION  Extremely personal questions may be asked. (age/status conscious)  Modesty is very important.  Give compliment to other people, but don ’ t single him/her out of a group.  Don ’ t confuse the history and culture of Korea with other Asian countries. (national pride)

 CONVERSATION — CONT.  Answer questions affirmatively and in the most positive way, even when your information is negative.  Be concise and direct in your response.  Tone down hand motions and facial expressions when talking.

 TERMS OF ADDRESS  Address people by their title alone or by both their title and family name.  Family name + given name  Family names tend to be one-syllable; while given names are more likely to be two-syllables.  Nearly ¼ of the population has the last name “ Kim ”.  The most common family names are Kim, Park, and Lee.  Married women retain their maiden names.

 GIFT GIVING  Gift giving is common and reciprocal.  Gift from one ’ s own country is appreciated.  Give a gift of greater value to the senior person of a group.  Cash gift should be put in an envelope.  Expect initial resistance to receiving a gift.  Use both hands when receiving or presenting a gift.  Gifts are not opened in the presence of the giver.

 PUBLIC BEHAVIOR The elderly are highly respected. Eye contact is important. Touching is inappropriate unless the individuals are friends and peers. When talking or laughing, keep voice as quiet as possible. Criticism of any kind should be done in private. Don ’ t touch other people or objects with one ’ s shoes.

 PUBLIC BEHAVIOR — CONT.  Soles of one ’ s shoes should always point down.  Don ’ t cross legs in front of an authority figure.  Don ’ t blow your nose in front of other people.  It is rude to beckon someone with an index finger.  Cover your mouth when yawning or using a toothpick.

 ALCOHOL AND ENTERTAINING  Korea has one of the highest per capita rates of alcohol consumption in the world.  Drinking often precedes any kind of business.  Drinking helps to build rapport, resolve a sensitive problem or close a difficult deal.  Even on weeknights, heavy drinking often continues late into the night. Scotch is especially popular.  The person of lower status, or the host, will offer a glass to the most honored person. (with both hands)

 KOREAN MEAL GUIDELINES  Always use the right hand in passing and receiving items at the table. Allow the left hand to support the right arm when offering an item to show added respect.  It is polite to refill your neighbor ’ s cup and soy sauce bowl when empty.  Bones and shells are placed on the table or a spare plate.  If you are hosting a party, offer food at least three times because some may be shy in accepting at the first invitation.  No tipping is necessary for hotel, restaurant personnel or taxi drivers, except for extra service.