Expert Info

Posted by
on 5 Sep 2012
I'd like to know what I can and can't say to interviewers or bosses in Korea, and actually just people in general. For example, I read somewhere that when you hail a cab you have to keep your palm down or something? Also that you mustn't answer back to people in authority, and when you hand over a business card it needs to be done in a certain way, and stuff like that. Is there a special way to hand over money or paperwork other things or is it just business cards? Please I just don't want to offend anyone - any little things like that would be good to know. Thanx.
Anonymous (not verified) on 10 Sep 2012 - 05:12
Hi Jenny, the easiest way to impress South Korean people is by trying your best to honour their cultural practices, if they can see you are trying they will instantly like you. Respecting people that are older than you or have a higher position than you is paramount. Always bow to them and use two hands if passing them money or even paperwork. A business card should be treated like gold, receieve it with two hands and always compliment it with something like "I really like the colour scheme", admire it for a while then carefully put it away. Never shove it into a pocket or draw on it in the presence of the person who gave it to you. When it comes to hand signals it's safer to do them with your palm facing down, you'll soon see that the way Koreans wave each other over resembles the Western hand signal for 'shoo', also over here a zap sign means nothing. Another thing to remember as a woman is that although you can wear the shortest skirt here, do not ever show off even a hint of clevage, it is really looked down upon here, so rather be safe then sorry. Things are different here but the Korean people understand that their social norms differ from ours and they are almost always willing to share advice on their exciting culture. Good luck!

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