Koreans, in general, drink heavily and will invite you to do so as well at dinner — and beyond. Dinners can become long, bawdy affairs with food continuously arriving at the table accompanied by a lot of ‘toasting’ and consumption of beer and soju (Korea’s traditional rice liquor). Business guests are expected to drink, although Koreans are not offended if the guest drinks less (and more slowly) than the hosts. An important custom in South Korea involves nobody pouring their own drink at dinner. Instead, grab the bottle and pour everybody else’s drink except your own, then hand the bottle to somebody else to have your drink poured.
Karaoke is intensely popular in South Korea but it can have a dark side even in a business context. Karaoke is usually performed in private rooms by small groups rather than in an open, anonymous atmosphere such as a bar. As business gatherings become comfortable in the room, it is not uncommon for young women to be paraded in to then pair up with each man, feeding the men food and drink.
It is also understood the ladies are available for ‘other services’ if guests are interested. An effective way to avoid this potentially awkward situation from developing is to include a woman in your business group. While doing this will not stop the heavy drinking or karaoke, it will generally nip any potentially uncomfortable sexual situations in the bud.
Balancing work and life in South Korea
South Koreans do not really try to maintain a work-life balance as most Westerners try and do. The South Korean workday typically begins around 8:30AM, but may end anywhere between 6:00PM and 2:00AM. In larger companies, employees gather after work once or twice a week for dinner and drinking, sometimes returning to work afterward. Not surprisingly, this can take a toll on South Korean family life with the work becoming an employee’s surrogate family.
Many companies, particularly in manufacturing, work every other Saturday, putting further strain on families. It would be wise business guests engaging in South Korea exercise discretion and respect for their host lifestyles and business culture, who will literally meet and entertain guests at any hour — day or night.
Chuck Durnberger is New Product Operations Manager at Apple. He has logged countless hours traveling to and from South Korea on business.
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