|
Cultural Etiquette
Cultural Dos and Taboos
• Korean men tend to greet each other with a slight bow, sometimes accompanied by a handshake, while maintaining eye contact. In order to indicate respect for the person being greeted, one might support one's right forearm with one's left hand during the handshake. It is common for the junior person to initiate the greetings and be the first to bow. The senior person is usually the first one to offer his hand. Weak handshakes or the nod of the head is sometimes sufficient within business circles. Among Korean women, handshaking is rarely used; reciprocal bowing may suffice. Western men should not shake hands with a Korean woman while Western women in business circles should initiate a handshake with Korean men.
• Elderly people are very highly respected in Korean culture and as such, in group settings, it is customary to greet and speak to them first, taking care to spend a few moments with them. Offering compliments regarding an elder person's good health is also good practice. One might also show respect to an elderly person by touching one's left hand, palm up, lightly to the right elbow when shaking hands of passing objects, such as a dish of food or business documents. Meanwhile, if one encounters an elderly person by a doorway, it is polite to allow them to pass through first. One should also avoid smoking or wearing sunglasses when in the company of an elderly person as both acts suggest a lack of respect for their presence.
• Travelers should be aware that Korean males possess higher social status than Korean women. This hierarchy is evidenced by the sight of women opening doors for men, and allowing them to pass through first. Although Western women are excluded from these rules, all travelers should be aware of this cultural difference and should not show that they are offended by it.
• In South Korea, physical contact is inappropriate with older people, with people of the opposite sex, or with people who are not good friends and family. In general, one should not indulge in either physical contact with others, or in public displays of affection with one's own family and friends.
• Koreans are restrained and self-possessed people; travelers should avoid being loud and boisterous around them.
• When in South Korea, one should cover your mouth when yawning or using toothpicks. Likewise, blowing one's nose in public is considered bad manners.
• As in many Asian cultures, smiling and laughter does not always denote amusement and pleasure; smiling and laughter can just as easily denote discomfort. For example, a Korean is embarrassed, he or she may laugh excessively.
• Koreans are very conscious of dignity and self-respect. As in other parts of eastern Asia, protecting "face" -- the pride of another person -- is a very important and delicate concern. One should never embarrass another person, especially in public, and one should always be aware that their self-respect be preserved.
• Modesty is another cardinal concern in Korea. One should not enter a home or office until one is invited to do so, and one should not sit down unless one has been asked to take a seat. Indeed, in many such circumstances, waiting for the invitation to be extended several times before accepting is considered to be good practice. Another way of demonstrating modesty is when one receives a compliment. Rather than expressing thanks for the compliment, as in the West, one should politely refute it instead. Of course, at the same time, one should offer compliments to others, and the onus is upon them to politely refuse, as good practice dictates.
• When offering compliments about someone's belongings, one should take care not to be overly-appreciative as good manners suggests that they would then be obligated to give it to you.
• One should not visit a Korean at home without prior notice or an outright invitation to do so. One should, at least, call ahead before visiting a home. After visiting a home or meeting a Korean colleague for business, when one is about to leave, one should express thanks for their time and bow slightly.
• When entering a Korean home, restaurant or religious building (such as a temple), it is customary to remove one's shoes. In temples, shoes should be left on the floor with the toes pointing away from the inside of the building. When putting one's shoes back on, one should take care not to sit with one's back to the temple.
• Feet are considered unclean and should not touch other people or objects. Men should keep their feet flat on the floor during formal situations. At other times men should take care that the soles of their shoes are pointing down. Women are permitted to cross their legs, but they should also try to keep their shoes pointing in a downward position.
• When sitting on the floor for a meal, it is customary for men to cross their legs while sitting on the cushion. Both women and men may sit with their legs to the side, but never straightened out under the table.
• When eating a meal, one should not finish everything on one's plate as it will indicate that one is still hungry, and that the host did not provide enough food. It is customary for the host to offer food several more times. If one is, indeed, still hungry, one should refuse at least twice before accepting more. If one is hosting a party or a dinner, one should offer food at least three times to one's guests.
• In South Korea, good topics of conversation in social settings include the Korean cultural heritage, kites, sports, and the health of the other's family (further family inquiries on topics other than health ate considered intrusive). Topics that should be avoided include politics, socialism, Communism, the country of Japan, and the wife of the host (the wife of any one present is likely to be an inappropriate and intrusive subject).
• When visiting a family, it is appropriate to bring a gift of fruit, imported coffee or quality ginseng tea, chocolates, or crafts from one's homeland. Liquor may be given to a man, but it is not an appropriate gift for a woman.
• When giving or receiving a gift, one should always use both hands. Gifts are not opened in the presence of the giver, and initial resistance to receiving a gift should be anticipated. Initial refusal of a gift is considered to be good manners and as such, if one is giving the gift, one should be persistent. If one is the recipient, be sure not to accept the gift outright but rather, to demonstrate some small measure of reticence.
• It is customary to reciprocate a gift with one of similar value and thus, one should choose a gift that takes into account the receiver's economic means. If one receives such an extravagant gift that one cannot reciprocate in kind, one might return the gift, being very careful not to offend the sender. One should indicate that the sender's generosity is great and the gift is too much.
• After invitations to dinner at the home of a Korean, one should send a thank-you note to the host. It is also polite to reciprocate by inviting the host to a meal of equal value at a later date.
• Dress in South Korea should be casual and practical outside the office, while suits, for both men and women, are appropriate for business settings. Koreans wear their traditional costume, called "hanbok" on holidays and special occasions. For men, it consists of a short jacket and loose trousers that are tied at the ankles. Women's "hanboks" consist of a wrap-around skirt and a bolero-style jacket. Both men's and women's ensembles may be topped by a long coat called a "durumagi."
|