This article is written from the Foreigner's point of view and is a corollary to the Korean viewpoint of working in Korea. While most of the points in the aforementioned document hold true, a number of things beg for explanations to the Korean reader. I've quoted in red the portions of the article I feel need explanation and want to quote. If I didn't quote the original, then I completely agree with it.

It is important to remember that when working with foreigners, that you are, in fact, working with people from another culture. Although they may have come here to teach, be engineers or something else, they bring with them a culture of their own. One not should assume that they will immediately drop all of their values and beliefs. In particular, teaching English is not just about the words, grammar and context, but it also involves the culture of English itself. In order for the student to fully understand English, one must understand something about the culture. The history of the language and its roots, and the cultures which produce the euphemisms, idioms and phrases are important for full comprehension.

Korea is, or was, Confucian. This might not mean much to you, but it quickly will. In Confucianism, everything played a proper role. There was a direct chain of command and respect. Though you are a foreigner, you DO fit into this system. You must understand that an older person deserves your respect simply for being older. You might not like the system, but it has been in Korea for countless generations, and isn't going to change because you don't like it.

This works both ways. If you insist on older Korean being afforded a level of respect, then it only seems fair to give that same respect to older foreigners. As an older Foreigner, it is rare to be treated with the same respect one would give an older Korean.

If you are a solid drinker, you can earn respect from many staff members. In some companies there is a sort of Drinking-Darwinism, where the strongest drinkers survive and thrive. If you find yourself in this sort of environment, where the boss is constantly pushing you to drink, there are, sadly, two real options. Raise a glass, or submit your resignation. If you cannot stand the situation, your chances of changing your bosses behaviour is slim to none, it might just be easier on everyone if you changed your workplace.

Drinking in western cultures is a social event. We are conditioned not to mix too much business with pleasure. Alcohol loosens the tongue and we are taught that we might say or do something inappropriate. From personal experience, I often have done so and regretted it. I prefer to drink with friends where I can "let my hair down" and not worry about what I say or do. I DO want to be part of the Korean team, but I don't want to drink just because the boss wants to. I do enjoy drinking and even enjoy drinking with my boss, but I don't want it to be a mandatory affair - I want it to be fun. Moreover, not everyone is a fun drunk. I can be somewhat dark and moody when I drink as it frequently gives me a headache. Don't exclude me from your team because of the way alcohol affects my body and mind. Some people also regard alcohol as a drug and must refrains from imbibing due to addiction problems. If drinking is a requirement at your establishment, you will save yourself and your prospective foreigner much trouble by making this known well before an offer of employment is made. You should hire a foreigner better suited for drinking.

One difference in work culture that can cause problems is eye contact. In the west, it is polite to look someone in the eye. Looking away would show dishonesty. In Korea, it is different. Eye contact with a superior means confrontation and aggression. A friendly meeting can quickly disintegrate if the foreigner keeps 'staring down' his boss, though the foreigner is only trying to be polite and honest.

This is a big deal to foreigners. We have learned over the years that just as much communication occurs non-verbally as verbally and we don't want to miss out on what the speaker is saying. Eyes communicate vast amounts of information that is not in the words or voice. Hands, body posture and facial expressions carry much as weight with what is being said as the words do - sometimes even more so. When we look directly at the boss, we are not trying to "stare down" but rather gather all the available information. We are also taught to look directly at someone when they are chastising us. If I want a child to behave correctly, I may say "Look at me when I'm talking to you" although the Korean may say quite the opposite when talking to an errant child. I almost never look away - despite how rude you may think I am being. Don't think of me as being rude when I look you in the eye. Think of me as being respectful enough to want to understand everything you are communicating - not just saying - to me.

Don't be afraid of your English imperfections. Many Koreans have studied English but are afraid of making mistakes or have bad pronunciation. Don't worry about it. Most foreigners understand that unless we are in the middle of teaching English to you, we will not correct you. We don't want to make you look foolish any more than you want to be made to look foolish. We would rather have you try to speak our language and speak "Konglish" than to leave things misunderstood. As a corollary, please don't laugh at my Korean pronunciation or grammar mistakes. I'll try my best at your language if you will try your best at mine, too.

If you have questions after I said something, please ask. Koreans are taught not to embarrass the speaker if something is still not clear. We want there to be complete understanding. If I haven't made things clear, I won't be embarrassed if you ask me to clarify myself. Far too often have I asked if everything is understood, received a room full of nodding heads only to have no one understand. We won't think less of you for asking and you will not "lose face" with us. You are not helping anyone, including yourself, by feigning comprehension. In the west, we have a saying "The only stupid question is the one not asked." Indeed, someone else may have the same question and you could be helping yourself and the other person.

As a foreigner, we understand we are a guest in your country. Please try and treat us like a guest. Don't treat us like some errand boy you must tolerate as a necessary evil to getting the job done. We have given up much of our family life and social structure to come to your country and work with you. We may not always understand everything, but we generally try.

And if you really don't like it, you can always hire someone else.