Korean Customs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified)
in
Career Management

Our manager just gave us a quick rundown on Korean business customs today, as tomorow we have a large group coming to look at our facility.  We're hoping to win a $40M contract from this group.

While he gave us a rundown on business card etiquette, he then waved his hands and said that he vaguely remembers something about not wearing red (ties and such), and then assigned me to find out for sure.  Goolging isn't showing anything notable, though there's a lot of sites referencing dark suits and the business card info.  Does anyone have any links to good sites, or specifics?

Thanks,

- Steve
 

Submitted by stephenbooth_uk on Tuesday March 24th, 2009 6:46 am

I can't find any thing specifically about wearing red, however I did find a site that indicates that you should not write anything in red (in particular a person's name) as that symbolises death:
http://www.communicaid.com/cross-cultural-training/culture-for-business…
(see the cultural quiz and answers)
It's not too much of a leap from that to see that wearing red might be considered not the best thing to do. 
The sites I tend to use for information about countries are the UK Foriegn and Commonwealth office and CIA.  For their information on Korea see:
 
FCO: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-the-fco/country-profiles/asia-oceania/so…
CIA: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ks.html
Stephen

Submitted by Steve deRosier on Wednesday March 25th, 2009 12:13 pm

Thanks, that was handy.
The visit went off without a hitch.  I had brought my camera in at the request of my manager to do some shots since the place and the people were all spiffed up.  We did a nice photo of the visitors in front of a mockup of the system we intend to build for them, and then I got it printed and framed and we presented it to them before they left.  I think it left a good impression and made them feel like we value them.  
- Steve

Submitted by stephenbooth_uk on Wednesday March 25th, 2009 12:25 pm

Something that just occured to me.  Your local chamber of commerce may be able to help you either directly or by refering you to another organisation.  Failing that try your local library, they may have books on the customs and practices of the target country (although check publication dates, they may be out of date).  Various organisations such as the CIA, ITN (Independant News Network) &c produce reference books that give you a run down on the culture and customs of countries which may be available through your library.  At worst they may be able to give you information on the department of your government that can help you.  Finally, if you can contact your country's embassy or consulate in that country they can often send you briefing packs and may be able to answer specific questions.  Remember, part of the job of an embassy or consulate is to assist businesses from their own country in the country they are in.
Stephen