Exchanging gifts and business cards

The first thing you should do on initially meeting a Korean partner is to exchange business cards. As is the practice in many Asian countries, this exchange is a ritual in itself, where the giver presents his card with both hands and bows slightly from the waist.

After receiving your local counterpart's card, show some interest in his name or company by taking a few moments to read the it. Putting the card away immediately can be misconstrued as rudeness.

Exchanging gifts at the first meeting can be awkward. The Korean norm is to prepare gifts when they say goodbye. If you want to reciprocate the gesture, make sure to present the gift in the presence of witnesses to dissuade any talk of bribery.

In the subsequent meetings, Koreans still take a slight bow from the waist, although foreigners are not expected to do this. A handshake can take the place of this reverence. It is also the local custom to slightly smile and look the foreign counterpart in the eye.

Reading between the lines

If you feel your Korean partner is a bit too serious, don't feel obliged to make him relaxed through humor. For you part, be relaxed, try to make him talk more—and listen attentively—to sharpen your business opportunities.

As most Asians are wont to do, Koreans will never directly or immediately reject a proposal to save face--yours. Instead they will say "I will think about it," that practically means no. Take it with a grain of salt and move on.

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