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

Robert L. Kohls (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2001 | ISBN-10: 1877864870 | ISBN-13: 978-1877864872

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

Editorial Reviews

Review

"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, Korea

About the Author

L. Robert Kohls' relationship with Korea covers more than fifty years, from reconstruction to the present. Cited as America's Leading Interculturalist, he is an award-winning trainer, educator and consultant. He has lived, worked and traveled in more than 90 countries. He is the author of the best-selling Survival Kit for Overseas Living as well as several other books.

Product Details

• Paperback: 269 pages
• Publisher: Nicholas Brealey Publishing (August 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1877864870
• ISBN-13: 978-1877864872
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #521,566 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Superb Guide to How to be Effective in Korea, April 25, 2002

By 

Jason (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Learning to Think Korean: A Guide to Living and Working in Korea (Interact Series) (Paperback)

As a Korean-American, I have read many books on Korea--ranging from North-South relations to tourism. But I found this book the most relavent, applicable, and practical to non-native Koreans who need to worke and live in Korea. The book provides non-Koreans with step-by-step guide to everyday situations they will face in the "hermit kingdom," such as how Koreans think about themselves and foreigners and how to manage a Korean office of an American firm. I enjoyed the book with many "aha moments." I believe this book is a superb tool for any none-Koreans who seek to be effecitve in every day life in Korea.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read, informative text, June 13, 2007

By 

Rob (Goldsboro, NC, United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Learning to Think Korean: A Guide to Living and Working in Korea (Interact Series) (Paperback)

This book was very easy to read and really described the differences between the American and Korean cultures well. While I'm not there yet to verify the info, it gave me a good basis to understand what I'm likely to encounter. I plan to bring this book with me to Korea and refer to it often. I will share it with others and highly recommend it to anyone headed to Korea.

5.0 out of 5 stars They liked it, January 9, 2012

By 

Corey Mcgrath - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Learning to Think Korean: A Guide to Living and Working in Korea (Interact Series) (Paperback)

I bought this for someone who is going to Korea to live and work, and they liked it. If you want to buy something for someone who is going to Korea to live and work, this is probably a good thing to get. I say this because I trust the taste of the guy who I bought it for.

As for specifics, I don't know; I bought it for someone else. I feel like I told this to Amazon when I was buying it, but they asked me to review the product anyway, so this is what they get.