Learning to Think Korean: A Guide to Living and Working in Korea (The Interact Series)

Perhaps more than any other East Asian country, Korea adheres to the traditional collectivist and Confucian traits of harmony, hierarchy, status and proper behavior. In Learning to Think Korean: A Guide to LIving and Working in Korea, Robert Kohls demystifies Korean culture for people who encounter it in business and in everyday life. The book explores Korean modes of thinking and behaviors in juxtaposition to American society.Learning to Think Korean discusses the cultural patterns and practices of the workplace and goes beyond business interaction as the book explores Korea's culture of private life, providing notes on proper etiquette in non-business settings and Korean history and social customs. Understanding the complex tapestry of influences, tradition and deep cultural values inherent in Korean society is essential to effective and mutually rewarding intercultural communication. Bob Kohls' book, Learning to Think Korean, is ostensibly written for the American businessman who plans to go to Korea and engage in a business relationship with corporations there. My reading of the book leads me to suggest that it is a good 'read' for anyone who would try to understand the disjuncture between our expectations of our Korean neighbors and their behavior, whether in Korea or in the United States. This goes for the American teacher with Korean students in the classroom and for the members of other minority populations in Los Angeles and elsewhere who find it difficult to understand their Korean neighbors. The book should also be read by Koreans in the United States who don't quite understand why others, not of their culture, are upset with them or why other Americans look askance at their behavior. The book is a very useful contribution to cross cultural understanding between Korea and the United States. -George F. Drake, KWV, Coordinator Korean War Children's Memorial Bellingham Robert Kohls' book is impressive in its depth of understanding of the ways [in] which cultural differences affect behavior, the ways in which we really are not all alike underneath.-Horace H. Underwood, Executive Director Korean-American Educational Commission, Seoul ContentsForeword: My Love Affair with KoreaAcknowledgments1 Some Facts about Korea2 Critical Incidents3 Influences of Asian Religious and Ethical Systems4 Korean Values- Then and Now5 Barriers to Thinking Korean6 Korea: People-Oriented and Group-Centered7 Status and Behavior8 Relationships: Ingroups and Outgroups9 Paths to Success, Korean Style10 Negotiating with Koreans11 Managing a Korean Office12 Personnel Issues13 Challenges Facing KoreaAfterwordAppendix A: Korean ChronologyAppendix B: Traditional SymbolsAppendix C: Traditional Social CustomsAppendix D: Aspects of Korean Culture Worth ExploringAppendix E: Aspects of American Culture Worth Explaining to KoreansBibliographyAbout the Author