Question

A vice-president of an American software company introduced himself to a group of Korean partners and added "you may just call me John." Although this verbal cue shows underlying reality that Americans have a high value on informality and equality, it needs adaptation due to the reason that:

1) John is not a very popular name in Korea
2) it is difficult to translate John in Korean language
3) customs, hierarchies, and class structure of Korean culture has to be respected
4) Korean culture requires that first and last name be used in addressing guests
5) it is not appropriate to disclose nicknames in business meetings

Answer 1

The American vice-president's informal self-introduction requires adaptation when interacting with Korean partners due to the importance of respecting Korean customs and hierarchies in business settings, which may differ significantly from American practices.

Step-by-step explanation:

When the vice-president of an American software company introduced himself to a group of Korean partners and said "you may just call me John," he was reflecting the American value of informality and equality in professional settings. However, this approach requires adaptation when working across cultures. The reason adaptation is needed is not because 'John' isn't a popular name in Korea or because it's difficult to translate, but because it's necessary to respect the customs, hierarchies, and class structures of Korean culture, which often dictate a more formal approach to titles and addressing individuals in business contexts.

In Korean business practices, it is important to maintain levels of formality and respect that acknowledge an individual's position and status within the hierarchy. Although the use of first names may be encouraged in certain American corporate cultures to foster a sense of equality and openness, this might not translate well in a Korean context, where such informality could be perceived as disrespect or a lack of understanding of cultural norms.