Cultural Post 1
My learning this semester is focused on professional-level Korean, so I decided to begin my first cultural post with workplace culture in Korea. When meeting someone in a company setting, I initially thought I could shake hands casually, the way I do in the United States, with one hand and a firm grip. However, in Korea, people use their right hand to shake hands while supporting their right forearm or wrist with their left hand. This is often called a “two-handed handshake.” I learned that this gesture shows respect and politeness, especially when greeting someone older or higher in rank. I was also advised to give a slight bow while shaking hands, maintain a firm but not overly strong grip, and make eye contact. I think I’ll need some practice before entering a company environment.
This two-handed gesture continues in drinking situations as well. When pouring a drink for someone older or of higher status, people use both hands. To be specific, the right hand holds the bottle while the left hand supports the right wrist or forearm. When receiving a drink, the right hand holds the glass and the left hand supports the right hand or wrist.
A similar custom appears when exchanging business cards. People present and receive business cards with both hands, using the left hand to support the right wrist or hand. At the same time, they give a slight bow (about 10 degrees) and briefly look at the card while receiving it. I was surprised to learn that during meetings, people usually do not put business cards away immediately. Instead, they place them on the table in front of them to remember each other’s names and roles. After the meeting, the cards are carefully stored in a cardholder or jacket pocket.
Even though I am from Korea, learning about drinking etiquette in professional settings was still a culture shock for me. In Korea, there are many after-work social gatherings called hwesik (회식), which are team dinners and drinks that often require attendance. There are also specific rules to follow. For example, when drinking in front of someone older or higher in status, you should turn slightly away (about 30 degrees) before taking a sip. You should also wait for the most senior person to start drinking first. All of these actions are ways of showing respect. They highlight how important respect and hierarchy are in the Korean workplace culture.
Learning these professional customs made me realize how differently respect is expressed across cultures. In the United States, professionalism is often shown through confidence, direct eye contact, and a firm handshake. In Korea, however, respect is communicated more through gestures, body language, and awareness of hierarchy. Small actions, like using two hands, bowing slightly, or turning away while drinking, may seem subtle, but they carry significant meaning. From this learning, I believe that I would be able to show my respect in the workplace.
My learning this semester is focused on professional-level Korean, so I decided to begin my first cultural post with workplace culture in Korea. When meeting someone in a company setting, I initially thought I could shake hands casually, the way I do in the United States, with one hand and a firm grip. However, in Korea, people use their right hand to shake hands while supporting their right forearm or wrist with their left hand. This is often called a “two-handed handshake.” I learned that this gesture shows respect and politeness, especially when greeting someone older or higher in rank. I was also advised to give a slight bow while shaking hands, maintain a firm but not overly strong grip, and make eye contact. I think I’ll need some practice before entering a company environment.
This two-handed gesture continues in drinking situations as well. When pouring a drink for someone older or of higher status, people use both hands. To be specific, the right hand holds the bottle while the left hand supports the right wrist or forearm. When receiving a drink, the right hand holds the glass and the left hand supports the right hand or wrist.
A similar custom appears when exchanging business cards. People present and receive business cards with both hands, using the left hand to support the right wrist or hand. At the same time, they give a slight bow (about 10 degrees) and briefly look at the card while receiving it. I was surprised to learn that during meetings, people usually do not put business cards away immediately. Instead, they place them on the table in front of them to remember each other’s names and roles. After the meeting, the cards are carefully stored in a cardholder or jacket pocket.
Even though I am from Korea, learning about drinking etiquette in professional settings was still a culture shock for me. In Korea, there are many after-work social gatherings called hwesik (회식), which are team dinners and drinks that often require attendance. There are also specific rules to follow. For example, when drinking in front of someone older or higher in status, you should turn slightly away (about 30 degrees) before taking a sip. You should also wait for the most senior person to start drinking first. All of these actions are ways of showing respect. They highlight how important respect and hierarchy are in the Korean workplace culture.
Learning these professional customs made me realize how differently respect is expressed across cultures. In the United States, professionalism is often shown through confidence, direct eye contact, and a firm handshake. In Korea, however, respect is communicated more through gestures, body language, and awareness of hierarchy. Small actions, like using two hands, bowing slightly, or turning away while drinking, may seem subtle, but they carry significant meaning. From this learning, I believe that I would be able to show my respect in the workplace.
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