Site Search:
 
Speak Korean Now!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Bowing etiquette?

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> General Discussion Forum
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
DoubleRS



Joined: 13 Oct 2008

PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 7:52 pm    Post subject: Bowing etiquette? Reply with quote

I'm moving to Korea soon and have a qualm about meeting my boss, co teachers and others when I first get there. What's the proper etiquette when meeting for the first time? Do I shake hands first then bow? or bow only?

Also, I have a couple gifts to give my boss and co-teacher. How do I present them properly? I've wrapped them in red and yellow paper. I heard this is good because they are royal colors?

Any advice?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
nuthatch



Joined: 21 Feb 2008

PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 8:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

personally, don't bother with weighing your suitcases down with kr.p,

they gave me nothing but a dirty dump to live in

they should be honoring their visitors

glad I gave them nothing
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
poet13



Joined: 22 Jan 2006
Location: Just over there....throwing lemons.

PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 8:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hmm, a keener.... Gifts not necessary, but a nice start. I don't know about the colors. Older Korean custom would be to take the gift, and just put it aside to open later, so don't be offended if they don't rip of the paper and tell you how wonderful it is. I read once that the idea there is to save face in case the next guy gives a gift of lesser value. A gift is usually given without fanfare. When I give gifts to Koreans here (housewarmings usually), I just put the package down inside the door, or give it to the first lady of the house I see and I don't wait for thanks. Everyone knows who gave what.

I wouldn't go around bowing to anyone yet though. That's just my opinion. There are rules of etiquette here, and unfortunately, it's really easy to screw up and have someone dislike you from the go. Strange but true. Little by little, I am getting awy from the kow-towing and saving it for the very few people who I really do respect.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
sarbonn



Joined: 14 Oct 2008
Location: Michigan

PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 8:04 pm    Post subject: Re: Bowing etiquette? Reply with quote

DoubleRS wrote:
I'm moving to Korea soon and have a qualm about meeting my boss, co teachers and others when I first get there. What's the proper etiquette when meeting for the first time? Do I shake hands first then bow? or bow only?

Also, I have a couple gifts to give my boss and co-teacher. How do I present them properly? I've wrapped them in red and yellow paper. I heard this is good because they are royal colors?

Any advice?


Not sure about the gift thing, but when it comes to bowing and handshaking, sometimes it's just a lot easier to wait and see what step they take and then follow. People bow to me all the time or they throw out their hand to shake. Following has mainly been the easiest thing for me to do without trying to be the aggressor and look foolish.

Of course, a lot of it also has to do with your stature in your organization as well, but there's a certain amount of foreigner points you get to play with until you should start to know better.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Yu_Bum_suk



Joined: 25 Dec 2004

PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 8:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

They'll understand you're new to the culture. Just shake their hands and say 'Nice to meet you'. Generally at public schools it's good to get into the habit of bowing but at hagwons with numerous foreigners circling through it doesn't really matter. It would be a good idea to hand something to your boss or older teachers with two hands.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
elavndrc



Joined: 15 Oct 2008
Location: Korea

PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 8:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I bow to all the teachers when I meet them. Usually a small bow will suffice unless you're meeting the principal but they don't expect you to know their traditions so if they bow to you...bow to them. They probably will extend their hand for a shake so I just shake and then bow.

Gifts aren't really necessary. You can buy them gifts when you're there. Just buy a little bit for the office when you feel like it. Teachers usually bring food once in awhile, fruits are a big hit too. That's usually how it happens.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
RACETRAITOR



Joined: 24 Oct 2005
Location: Seoul, South Korea

PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 8:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Koreans don't really seem all that uptight about bowing, provided you don't have inlaws and don't participate in the more traditional of holiday ceremonies.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Pooty



Joined: 15 Jun 2008
Location: Ela stin agalia mou

PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 9:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Do youself a favor, don't bow. You're not Korean, they don't want you to bow to them because they don't want to bow to you.

Does this make sense?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
DoubleRS



Joined: 13 Oct 2008

PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 9:41 pm    Post subject: Thanks! Reply with quote

Makes total sense. Thanks. My strategy:

either: BOW so low as to give the highest respect no matter who I'm bowing to

OR

Don't bow at all unless bowed to!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Underwaterbob



Joined: 08 Jan 2005
Location: In Cognito

PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 9:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Smile and nod. When it comes to making first impressions, nothing else matters.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message MSN Messenger
RACETRAITOR



Joined: 24 Oct 2005
Location: Seoul, South Korea

PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 9:47 pm    Post subject: Re: Thanks! Reply with quote

DoubleRS wrote:
Makes total sense. Thanks. My strategy:

either: BOW so low as to give the highest respect no matter who I'm bowing to

OR

Don't bow at all unless bowed to!


You'll get by better with a slight nod than an over-the-top bow. Anything you do in this country, no matter how big the faux pas, you will have a bit of leeway because you're a foreigner and you didn't know. I still use that to my advantage five years later.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> General Discussion Forum All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.

Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group

TEFL International Supports Dave's ESL Cafe
TEFL Courses, TESOL Course, English Teaching Jobs - TEFL International