Assignment:
Discussion:
Cultural Diversity Korean vs. American When I was stationed in Korea, I noticed a lot of culture and behavioral differences between Americans and Koreans. I very much enjoyed the challenge of trying to understand my place in their society and to focus on not embarrassing myself. Korea is a predominantly Confucian society which focuses practices in education, respect, age, and authority.
Korean culture also values status and class differentiated by Age and by organizational status or the position their counterparts holds in his or her job (Asialink, 2015) Cultural Norms in Korea include: Business card exchanges which should be viewed as a show of respect and should be examined by the receiving patron as a sign of respect. A bow is customary as a greeting sign of respect and is customary as is in other Asian cultures, the bow should be initiated by a most junior person and accentuated fully as a sign of deep respect (Asialink, 2015). Koreans also tend to dress very formal in many occasions and regard a predominantly equal gender status.
However, it is also customary for women to consider a refined feminine business attire. Korean culture accustoms a deep food and drink pride. One should never turn down a dinner invitation. For several reasons, one it is considered rude, and dinner is one long entertainment session which the Korean people regard as very sacred to their culture. American Business: American business is centered on individual success and less involved in group efforts. Although certain jobs require teamwork much of American work is divided by social and economic classes.
This, in turn, changes the communication styles of different classes. Direct communication may be to forward and direct when regarding Korean culture. Furthermore, where the American standard of the value of time, Korean culture may vary and be more centered around the quality of the work. After all the Korean culture is one centered on group thought, process and patience as an effort. When considering American English, is it also very common to regard typical business transactions with common American slang which may not correctly translate into Korean and may cause further confusion.
In the last few decades, The Republic of Korea has made a leap in industrial advancement. Where it was once a third world caste culture and country. It has become a very ethnocentric country that has prospered a lot from world trade. It is likely that the future of Korea will continue the path it has been going.
References AsialinkBusiness. (2015). Korean business culture and etiquette.