Korean Job Discussion Forums

[KorTek]

A couple of things I worry about is not knowing the language and the raw food in Korea. I'm more apprehensive about knowing the Etiquette in Korea, especially at a restaurant with my boss and older people. I'm worried that I will not be able to follow all the etiquette rules when eating at a restaurant with everyone. I do not want to offend or disrespect anyone. I do not want to lose face or cause someone else to lose face. That is why I hesistate to go to Korea. There are too many etiquette rules for respect.

[caniff]

Maybe I've just been here too long, but I don't think there's that much to know.

Don't pour your own drinks (unless it's water) and pour drinks for others, beginning with the oldest person at the table, when their glasses are empty. Use two hands or touch your left hand to your right arm when pouring or accepting a drink.

Umm, what else? Although people often share soup, don't dip into it with rice on your spoon.

Don't leave your chopsticks sticking up out of the rice bowl (that's a funerary practice or something).

There's some others (like don't blow your nose at the table), but if you follow the above you'll be alright. Koreans will generally cut you some slack as a foreigner new in the country (although they'll probably tell you what you're doing wrong).

[oldtactics]

My employers were pretty helpful - I don't think that I did anything particularly offensive but they did explain the rules that caniff explained above. If it's obvious that you're trying to be respectful and learn, you'll be fine.

[esetters21]

Caniff gave you the basics. I wouldn't stress out too much over etiquette rules here and have reservations about coming here based on that.

Like ot said as well, if you show initiative to learn, then you will be fine.

[coffeeandmilk]

I live in Jeollanamdo, the "Rebel province". Quite possibly the most anti-foreigner place in Korea. I must be doing something right, since I keep getting hounded with invites to dinners and socials. While they are keen to teach me the customs, most of which I know and follow anyway, I get a LOT of slack form the locals. Even older men with high status have an air of "he's not Korean, didn't grow up here, so let's not hold him so tightly to our customs" attitude. When I hit the mark and show them I've been paying attention, they fawn over it, when I make a mistake, even a big one, the biggest reaction I have received yet is to be very gently and politely told the correct way with smiles and laughter to follow.

Pay attention and be yourself, you should get along fine.

[caniff]

If I'm out with Koreans and we're having drinks I'll sometimes play a stupid joke:

If my glass is empty for too long (because everyone's talking) I'll hold my cellphone under the table and call one of them. When they answer I'll pull out the phone and ask "Shigan issoyo?" (Do you have time?).

They invariably immediately look at my empty glass, start laughing and fill it up. Works like a charm.

[ryoga013]

No one told him that it is ok to spit anywhere, smoke in front of open doors, if you're a man you can piss on about any wall (if you're under 7, you must piss in a cup, but can pee in subways or on buses), litter. sway when walking so that no one can get past you. Also, you're not really chewing gum unless you're telling everyone that you are by smacking it loudly and proudly.
These are also important things to remember when out in public in Korea.

[Rusty Shackleford]

I would never take lessons on manners or etiquette from a Korean.

[moosehead]

there's etiquette in Korea??

[Perceptioncheck]

Make sure you act all amazed and surprised when they tell you there are four seasons in Korea.

Whatever you do, don't point out that we have words for these seasons, which would indicate that other English-speaking places also have four different seasons. Believe me, it doesn't go down well at all, especially at dinner.

[NoExplode]

No such thing in Korea.

[jkelly80]

ask white women for handjobs. it's cultural.

[sojourner1]

[Perceptioncheck]

[Young FRANKenstein]