International Organization Behavior

International Organization Behavior

Korea is going to be the seventh developed country in the world, and a research from Japan points to the GDP of Korea will reach US. 65,000 in 2050. In addition, it's no doubt that Korea has been developing very well, and doing business with Korean is more often now. In the following paragraphs, I would like to introduce the business etiquette and table manner. When you do business with Korean, it may help you to avoid the mistakes.

Meeting & Greeting Etiquette

When doing business in South Korea men greet each other with a slight bow sometimes accompanied with a handshake. When we handshake it, the right forearm is often propped up by the left hand. Maintaining eye contact is good etiquette. In South Korean business culture, women also shake hands. Western women doing business there will need to instigate a handshake with Korean men, as out of politeness, a hand will not be forthcoming. Address people by their title or by their title and family name. First names can be used once a relationship has been established but wait for your Korean counterpart to initiate this change.

Business Card Etiquette

Prior to doing business in South Korea bring a plentiful supply of business cards. They will be exchanged frequently. Try and have one side of the card translated into Korean. Mention your title on the card along with any qualifications - this helps convey your rank.

When presenting or receiving a card, use both hands. After receiving a card, read it and comment on it before putting it into a card case or pocket. Do not shove it into a pocket as this will be viewed as disrespectful.

Meetings

Prior to doing business in South Korean ensure you book any meetings well in advance. 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. Times of the year to avoid include holidays like the Lunar New Year (around January/February) and the Moon Festival (around September/October). Punctuality is important in South Korea and being on time is recommended. However, business people are busy and have hectic schedules which may cause them to be late occasionally. Be courteous and do not display any negative emotions if someone is late to meet you. When entering a meeting room, the most senior member of your delegation should enter the room first and should sit at the middle of the table. Before doing business in South Korea understand that personal relationships generally take precedence over business. A first meeting is a 'get to know' affair rather than focusing on business matters. It could take many business trips to South Korea to reach an agreement or close a deal.

Korean Table Manner

Sharing a dinner is vital to building friendships that foster trust. Your business success is directly related to your social relationships. Do not pour your own drink, but do offer to pour others'. It is common to trade and fill each other's cup. To refuse is an insult. Women pour men's drinks, but never another woman's drink. A woman may pour her own drink. Leave some drink in your glass if you don't want a refill. Wherever you see a "No Tipping" sign, do not tip. Koreans find tipping offensive, although tipping is now becoming expected in Western hotels. Koreans do not like to talk a lot during dinner. Periods of silence are common and appreciated at a dinner. The meal usually comes before socializing at a dinner party. It is polite to pass or accept food or drink with your right hand while your left hand supports your forearm/wrist. The person who invites pays the bill for everyone. However, it is polite to offer to pay. When two people are dining, usually the younger person pays for the older person. Prepare to sing a solo number after dinner, no matter what kind of voice you have. Any song is acceptable, as long as you sing with spirit. After dinner, the host may invite his guests to go drinking. Don't refuse this invitation. Following are the dos and don'ts at the Korean dinner table.

If you are invited to a South Korean's house:

* It is common for guests to meet at a common spot and travel together.

* You may arrive up to 30 minutes late without giving offence.

* It is customary to bring a gift for the hostess.

* Remove your shoes before entering the house.

* The host greets each guest individually.

* The host pours drinks for the guests

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