Non Verbal Communication

Nonverbal communication is important in the traditional Korean culture. 

• Eye contact between people of different gender, age, and social status are lack in Korean.  
• Eye contact while speaking may only be reserved for people who they familiar with. 
• Small talk may be viewed as pointless, but meaningful conversation highly valued.  
• Facial expressions are not commonly used to convey emotion informal  settings.  
• Smiling / joking is traditionally only acceptable at certain times & smiling at inappropriate times may be interpreted as a lack of serious & respect. In the U.S., Koreans working in business / formal situations may adhere to these guidelines, but in general Koreans and Korean-Americans are more socially relaxed. 
• Koreans mostly appreciated Eye contact & smiling as gestures of welcoming and friendship.  Especially in the healthcare setting, it would be comfortable for a practitioner to engage in eye contact, small talk, and smiling with Korean patients. 
• Overly familiar touch may not be well accepted by some Koreans.  
• Touching strangers in crowds is seen as necessary, but physical expression of affection may not frequently demonstrated, even between family members.  
• Traditionally, affectionate touch should be begun by the elder person and reciprocated by the younger person.  
• Touching during the provision of health care is acceptable because it is required, but therapeutic touch may not expected.
•  As with nonverbal communication among Koreans and Korean Americans, these more traditional views on familiar touch may not be demonstrated in the modern, more socially relaxed context that most Koreans in this country observe. 

1)Slurping and burping at the table are seen as compliments and that you are satisfied with your meal


2)Spitting and blowing snot in public are also acceptable gestures as these behaviors are seen as cleaning yourself.


 3) Two peace signs symbolize happiness and enjoyment

1) When Korean businessmen meet the opposite party, they would shake hands with them after a bow. They would ensure to support their right forearm with the left hand in order to show respect.

2) Before departing, the Korean businessmen also bow to show satisfactory. Posture is important, even while bowing. Bowing occurs from the waist, and not the neck. One bows by bending forward their upper body from the waist, standing straight with knees closed.

3) During meeting,  Koreans always pass or receive documents with their right hand or both hands. The right hand has to be supported by the left.
 

4) Koreans avoid saying no as saying no seems impolite, even it requires saying yes while meaning no. While conducting business, if there was a situation they need to say no but cannot, they are likely to suddenly become vague and appear very uncomfortable to have been  put in such an embarrassing position. They usually respond with 'it's very difficult' or 'i'll try to do it'.

 
5) During a business dinner, Koreans always wait to be seated after elders and people of importance as well as wait to pick up spoon to begin eating.Besides, they do not like to talk too much during dinner. 
6) When Koreans are conducting business, they avoid touching of any kind and avoid direct eye contact as the Koreans see it as a challenge. 
7) While meeting up with a customer, Korean businessman would show a limp hand, meaning to direct the customer to come over here (their position). 
8)  If the customer of a Korean businessman is requesting or demanding something the business do not offer, the businessman would crossed arm and making an X with his hands meaning no or they do not have it here.9) In formal situations, the Korean businessman would requires clearly defined personal space.





10)  Korean businessmen would not exaggerate their emotion through facial expression as too much smiling is always related with shallowness of the person.