Angela L.

Barron December 8, 2022

BSHM501

Country 1: South Korea

SOCIAL CUSTOMS AND ETIQUETTE
The Concept of Kibun
- It is important to maintain a peaceful, comfortable atmosphere at all times, even if it means
telling a "white lie".

Naming conventions
- It is considered impolite to address a Korean with their given name.

Meeting & Greeting

- Bowing is the traditional way to greet
- Always bow to individuals when leaving

Communication Style
- If disquiet is displayed it is a sign that something is amiss
- Good posture is most beneficial in meetings;
- Do not use excessive body language
- Respect, trust and satisfaction are displayed through a deeper bow

Personal Space
- It is insulting to be touched by someone with whom they are unfamiliar
- Direct eye contact is seen as impolite
- Use your hand palm down in a claw movement when calling someone
- In cities pushing, shoving and touching are regular occurrences – don’t be offended by the lack
of apologies

Gift Giving Etiquette

- Accept the gift with both hands – don't open the gift until the giver is absent
- Return the favour and offer something of a similar value.
- Do not give overly expensive gifts
- Avoid gifts that are sharp as it is signifying death

Dining & Food

- Elders are served first and begin the dining process
- Don’t forget to pass and receive food with two hands
- When it comes to settling the bill, the invitee may offer to pay but the host will generally pay
for everyone.
- Do not point with your chopsticks, or leave them sticking out of your bowl
Visiting a home
-Always remove your shoes before entering the home
- Remember, never pour your own drink.

Taboos in South Korean Culture

- Do not wear your shoes in places of worship or peoples’ homes
- Do not put your feet on furniture
- Do not use red ink. This is a symbol of death
- Do not use the number four if at all possible

BUSINESS OR WORKPLACE PRACTICES

What to wear?
- Dark suits, white shirt and tie are accepted as the norm for men
- Suits, dresses, or blouse and skirt are acknowledged for women.

Using Titles
- If unsure address people as Mr_____ (surname) or surname ______ and then their title
(teacher, professor, etc)

Business cards
- It is advisable to have one side printed in English and the other in Korean
- Take time to read and examine the cards you are given – it is respectful
- Never write on or mark the cards you are given

Business Meetings
- Organize your meeting ahead of time, giving plenty of notice
- Arrive punctually and be prepared
- Exchange business cards in a respectful manner after the initial introductions
-Ask open-ended questions that do not require a yes or no answer as Koreans dislike refusals

Negotiating
- Allow the senior Korean to instigate business discussions
- Phrase questions in a manner that allows for discussion
- Always show respect for senior colleagues and management

Korean Management
- Korean business and personal lives are based upon strict hierarchical structures
- Confucianism supports this structure within the family and workplace
- Older and senior delegates should be deferred to at all times
- 'Sonsaengnim' means "respected person".
Country 2: Japan
SOCIAL CUSTOMS AND ETIQUETTE
Naming conventions:
- In Japan people have two names, the surname and the given name.

Meeting & Greeting:

- Wait to be introduced.
- It is considered impolite to introduce yourself, even in a large gathering.
- The traditional form of greeting is the bow.
- The deeper you bow, the more respect you show.

Communication style:
- The Japanese rely on facial expression, tone of voice and posture to tell them what someone
feels.
- Frowning while someone is speaking is interpreted as a sign of disagreement.
- It is considered disrespectful to stare into another person's eyes, particularly those of a person
who is senior to you because of age or status.
- In crowded situations the Japanese avoid eye contact to give themselves privacy.

Personal Space:
- The Japanese prefer to have some distance, at least arms-length in their personal space.

Gift Giving:
- In Japan, gift-giving is highly ritualistic and meaningful.
- Do not give lilies, camellias or lotus blossoms as they are associated with funerals and avoid
white flowers of any kind as they are associated with funerals.
- Give items in odd numbers, but not 9 (the numbers 9 and 4 are considered unlucky in Japan)
- If you buy the gift in Japan, have it wrapped. Pastel colours are the best choices for wrapping
paper.

Dining & Food:

- Leave your shoes pointing away from the doorway you are about to walk through.
- Arrive on time or no more than 5 minutes late if invited for dinner.
- Unless you have been told the event is casual, dress as if you were going into the office.

Dining Etiquette:
- Wait to be told where to sit. There is a protocol to be followed.
- Never point, pierce cross your chopsticks.
- Conversation at the table is generally subdued. The Japanese like to savour their food.
- Don't be surprised if your Japanese colleagues slurp their noodles and soup.

BUSINESS OR WORKPLACE PRACTICES

What to wear:
- Men should wear a dark suit in the winter months with white shirt and tie that is not brightly
coloured.
- Women should also dress conservatively, wear hair either short or tied back.

Business cards:
- Business cards are exchanged constantly and with great ceremony.
- During a meeting, place the business cards on the table in front of you in the order people are
seated.
- Business cards are given and received with two hands and a slight bow.
- Give your business card with the Japanese side facing the recipient.

Meetings:
- Appointments are required and, whenever possible, should be made several weeks in
advance.
- It is best to telephone for an appointment rather than send a letter, fax or email.
- The most senior Japanese person will be seated furthest from the door, with the rest of the
people in descending rank until the most junior person is seated closest to the door.
- Never refuse a request, no matter how difficult or non- profitable it may appear. The Japanese
are looking for a long-term relationship.

Presentations:
- Keep them formal and stick to the facts. Don’t try to impress with gimmicky designs.
- Materials should be handed to the participants of the meeting rather than the more casual
practice of ‘taking one and passing it on’.

Negotiating:
- The Japanese are non-confrontational.
- The Japanese often remain silent for long periods of time.
- Some Japanese close their eyes when they want to listen intently.
- The Japanese do not see contracts as final agreements so they can be renegotiated.

Management:
- The hierarchal structure in business management is the essence of corporate culture in Japan.
- Managers are expected to nurture an environment which best facilitates the working of the
group.
- Managers in Japan communicate in a high context fashion.
- The concept of ‘face’ is important in Japan and, as such, Managers will be careful to protect
the reputation of subordinates when in the presence of others.

A. What are the things you've learned or realized from doing this activity?
- I realized that each country has different practices and etiquettes. It is important for each of us
to be aware of it because if not, we might disrespect them. We must learn and know even the
small details because it is important for them, it is also as a sign of respect.

B. How are these learnings or realizations helpful and applicable in your future work in a
tourism and hospitality establishment?
- My job in the future is possible to meet foreigners, so in order to communicate well, I need to
know their practices so when they visit my work, they will feel included and comfortable.
Foreigners in my future work are common so it is important for me to adjust to them, because
accommodating customers is one of my job.