Korean Job Discussion Forums

[eamo]

In my constant striving to be the Perfect Gentleman I have a few etiquette grey areas which need cleared up.

Some habits and manners are different from country to country so it would be interesting to hear your take on these crucial issues!!!!

Fingernails
I got looks of disgust and many wrinkled noses one time in the teachers-room when I trimmed my fingernails (over the wastepaper basket). Is this a private activity for the home only?

Telephoning
Is it rude to terminate a phone conversation with a person who called you? I always feel guilty when I do this.

The Restaurant
I've noticed some people fall into an awkward silence when the waiter/waitress is at your table doing something. Even if it's in no way a personal conversation. Is this a mannners thing?

The Taxi
Where I come from, when you get a taxi by yourself it's expected that you sit up front with the driver. To slink into the backseat seems anti-social. Are you frontseat or backseat?

I've more but they're too anal to bother you all with.

[Joe Thanks]

[Tiger Beer]

Yeah, always backseat in USA and South America.. its because too many taxi drivers get robbed or the possibility of getting robbed. Almost always you sit in the backseat with a huge bulletproof glass between yourself and the taxi driver.. and you are definetely in the backseat trying to get your change through to him in the slot. Plus he can lock you in (I believe) so you can't make a runner at a stoplight or something crazy.. something like that.. I avoid taxis.. but this is my general impressions.. maybe I'm wrong.. (I've only taken taxis in NYC and South America).. nowhere else in the U.S. (Taxis in Asia are totally different and totally relaxed).

Restaurants. Sometimes I get quiet and sometimes I don't. No rules there. Depends.. if I'm with several people you just keep talking. But generally if its one-on-one having a dinner.. I think its just the intrusion of another person coming into your space or something. No rules however.

Fingernail clippers. I don't know if its good or bad. Usually I just do that at home though.. occassionally I've set out on steps of an apartment in front of people (makes sense to have the clippings fall into the earth).. but seems to get strange glances from people.. so don't do that anymore.

Telephoning. Kind of tough call. Phone calls are basically intrusionary in my feelings. Particularly now with the cellphone and if you dont answer your a jerk.. and if you do answer I find I'm always involved in something and dont' want the 10-minute 'what are you doing' conversation. My general feeling is that ALL people should ONLY text message or have very specific and short point or reason for calling you. Just the general 'hey how's your day today?' is very rude in my opinion. (Sometimes its okay.. but I find it more interruptionary than a pleasant surprise). Depends on the person calling however.

[Mr. Pink]

Koreans clip their nails ALL OVER THE PLACE.

Happens in:

My office
My classroom!
The SUBWAY? WTF ARE THEY THINKING!!!
The hospital (maybe needed there? no idea)

and walked into a convience store, the chick behind the counter is clipping away.


So your coworkers if they were Korean should be told it is a Korean thing to do it in public.

As for etiquette: DONT CUT YOUR NAILS IN PUBLIC!!!

About the Taxi, if you take a regular taxi in SK you are supposed to get in the front if you are the first on, so he can pick up more people...but I always ride in the back...my legs need the space!

[kiwikid]

I was taught that it's not a good idea to take a taxi alone (females) especially at night. If you do take a taxi always sit in the back as it is easier to fight off/ get away from the 'nasty' taxi man if he tries anything. I'd very rarely take a taxi in NZ they are way too expensive.

[Arthur Fonzerelli]

Can someone tell the koreans that smacking their mouths and making slurping sounds is considered rude in most parts of the world... It's also disgusting... I have seen businessmen, kids, beautifully-dressed women that look like runways models smacking their lips noisily as they eat....

I seriously think Koreans are oblivious to the noise...

[sayangamber]

[blah]

While smacking your lips is rude in most Western countries, this is not the case in Asia. I have lived in Taiwan, the Philippines, and now in Korea, and they all do it. In the Philippines they go so far as to let out giant burps at the table. This is considered a compliment to the host.

One time, in the Philippines, I let out a small sigh after a big meal -- the kind you let out when you are stuffed after a Christmas dinner. Well, everyone was absolutely mortified at my lack of etiquette. "So let me see if I understand," I said to my Filipina wife after we left, "It's rude to let out a sigh after a meal, but it's considered polite to burp loudly at the table while others are sti