Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Giving Gifts
When you visit someone at their home, bring along a little token of your appreciation. The gift can be almost
anything - flowers, chocolates, fruit, a book, a bottle of liquor or wine, tea or something from your home coun-
try. It's also a nice gesture to gift-wrap your offering.
Your host may at first strongly refuse your gift. This is a gesture of graciousness. Keep insisting, and they
will accept it 'reluctantly'. For the same reason, your host will not open the package immediately.
Paying the Bill
Fighting to pay the bill is a common phenomenon, though the quid pro quo is that one person pays this time and
the other fights a little harder to pick up the cheque next time. If a Korean takes you under their wing, it's diffi-
cult to pay for anything.
Get Over Here
Don't beckon someone using your forefinger. Place your hand out, palm down (palm up is how you call your
pet) and flutter all your fingers at once.
Loss of Face
In interpersonal relations, the least desirable outcome is to somehow 'lower the harmony
(gibun)
'. A mis-
handled remark or potentially awkward scene should be smoothed over as soon as possible, and if you sense
someone actively trying to change the subject, go with the flow. An argument or any situation that could lead to
embarrassment should be avoided at all costs.
Smile, You're Embarrassed
Often, potential loss of face - say, when someone realises they are clearly in the wrong - will result in an un-
likely reaction: a wide smile. No, you're not being mocked; you've just been told 'I'm sorry'. So if a taxi almost
mows you down, only to roll down his window and flash you a big grin, he's not off his rocker - he's showing
his embarrassment, which is both a form of apology and a gesture of sympathy.
