Korean Cultural Norms

1. List and describe at least three cultural norms from Korean culture.

There are unique cultural norms found in the Korean culture. First, these individuals have a special association with their floor where they often sleep and sit. Based on the above information, the Korean does not tolerate dirty floor. Second, these people drinking norm where they use ‘soju’, a beverage that is normally drunk at short glasses and it is often served with food. Third, Korean has a tradition of eating rice in each meal, a food that is eaten with a spoon. In relation to the above information, these people are forbidden from raising the rice bowl from the table toward mouth while dining. Furthermore, the Koreans have a unique way of addressing the superiors where the subordinate are supposed to bow deeper to seniors as well as utilizing honorific while addressing ranked persons, old people, and strangers. 

2. List three interpersonal rules for conversing in Korean culture.

There are three major rules applicable during the communication between Koreans. First, the correspondents should be able to use the preferable body language since these individual have a tendency of using less facial expressions and gestures. For instance, since the Korean takes it as an individual violation to touch someone who is not a close friend or relative, people should avoid practices such as backslapping or patting a Korean during communication. Similarly, the juniors should strictly avoid direct eye contact while speaking to the senior persons since this practice is considered as impolite actions. Second, silence is a purposeful and an important tool used by Korean and it reflects respect and politeness. Third, the Korean views the aspect of saying “no” as an unbearable behavior and it should be avoided in all ways during the interpersonal communication. In relation to the above information, disagreement and unhappiness should always be rejected very vaguely through the application such as ‘this can be difficult’ or ‘we will try’ among other well-mannered phrases. 

3. Identify three primary values of the Korean culture based on the six dimensions found in all cultures according to Hofstede’s research (ex. Individualistic, masculine, indulgent, etc).

There are three basic values that characterize the Korean culture with regard to six dimensions presented in the Hofstede’s research. First, Korea denotes a high score masculine, a thing that is clearly seen through a society which is driven by success, achievement, and success. To illustrate, this society seems to value successful individuals starting from the schools up to the organizational life. Second, the individualistic aspect in Korea is manifested in the close long-term obligation of the group members as it is seen in the extended relationships, extended family or the nuclear family. At this point, the community has a tendency of enhancing the bond between the citizens where all people have to be responsible for colleagues in their group. Third, the review of the matter concerning indulgent show that Koreans have a tendency of pessimism and cynicism, a thing that is characterized by the failure to an emphasis on leisure time and incapability to control personal desires. Indeed, the above factors are helpful in understanding Koreans.

4. List any preconceived ideas or judgments you had about that culture before beginning your research. Did you confirm or disconfirm them?

Before beginning this research, I had many preconceived judgments and ideas about the Korean culture. For instance, I thought that these individuals share all the responsibilities equally despite their age and gender, but I realized that senior and elderly people are supposed to pay bills particularly while accompanied by their juniors. On the other hand, men are also required to make payments in instances when they are escorted by women. Moreover, I thought Koreans does not have rules concerning receiving and giving different things, but I discovered that it mandatory to hold tangible objects with both hands while receiving or forwarding them to other people. In addition, I thought to stare at people while talking is not bad, although through studying Koreans, I noted that this behavior is not tolerable in this country. As a matter of fact, I have learned many things after carrying out research about Korean cultural norms. 

References

Hofstede Insights. (2019). Country comparison. Retrieved January 5, 2019, from hofstede-insights.com: https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison/south-korea/

Lee, C. Y. (2012). Korean culture and its influence on business practice in South Korea. The Journal of International Management Studies, 7(2), 184-191.

Stajcic, N. (2013). Understanding culture: food as a means of communication. Hemispheres. Studies on Cultures and Societies, (28), 77-87.

VanderGast, T. S., Foxx, S. P., Flowers, C., Rouse, A. T., & Decker, K. M. (2015). A window into South Korean culture: Stress and coping in female high school students. Journal of School Counseling, 13(13), 1-29. 

Zorić, S., & Sang Hun, K. (2014). The intercultural potentials of intangible cultural heritage in Korea: Existentializing experience and creative economy. Narodna umjetnost: hrvatski časopis za etnologiju i folkloristiku, 51(1), 155-180.