🇰🇷 They're also Apologies!😲

[@paolocarpi4769]

Now tell us how to say in Korean: - Don't look at me boss, it's only your fault, I've tried to tell you that in advance, but you told me to not to talk back and to know what is my place. -

[@CookieKorea]

Thank you for watching and leaving a message! 🍪 Here’s the translation you asked for. (It sounded like something you'd say to your boss, so I made it polite.) 사장님, 저한테 너무 뭐라 하지 않으셨으면 좋겠어요. 이번 일은 사장님 잘못인 것 같아요. 제가 미리 말씀드리려고 했었는데, 말대꾸하지 말고 제 역할만 생각하라고 하셨잖아요.

[@paolocarpi4769]

@CookieKorea Thank you very much, this is incredibly interesting to me. While my question contained a small note of controversy for which I apologize, the excellent answer is instead revealing of how different cultures calibrate politeness with direct transmission of information. From what I have always understood in Korea it is extremely difficult to be direct with superiors. Especially when negative information has to be passed on. I would like to understand how the employee handles the conversation if he or she cannot hold back an argumentative tone, such as blaming the boss. How does this happen? Does it happen in every work context? Or is it easier in certain environments (the type of industry or the size of the company) than others?

[@CookieKorea]

I'm so glad to receive such a passionate question! In my opinion, being direct with a boss in Korea often feels uncomfortable; not just for the boss hearing it, but also for the people around them. Especially when it comes to delivering negative information, it requires a lot of caution and sensitivity. If an employee aggressively criticizes or shows disagreement with their boss, honestly, I think it’s really hard for the conversation to even happen in the first place. While there are no absolute rules for every situation, I don’t think the type of industry plays a big role, but company size might. In smaller companies, the boss’s authority and influence tend to be stronger, so people often adapt to the boss’s personality. I’ve even seen cases where employees felt it was difficult to share their opinions about work if they clashed with the boss’s views. That said, everything really depends on the relationship between the employee and the boss. If they have a close and friendly relationship, then it might follow the same dynamics as any other personal connection. I hope this helps! 🍪

[@paolocarpi4769]

​@@CookieKorea Thank you, this is clarifying. It seems that the origin of this kind of relationship is rooted in Confucianism. It is not so easy for us Westerners to understand the priority of caring for the peaceful work environment over the direct expression of a management problem that needs to be solved urgently. I am not talking about rudeness or the use of disrespectful or rude language, although the boundaries of these categories are different in different cultures. Even excluding open hostility, which can still arise when different opinions clash in the boardroom, it seems to be really difficult to handle situations in which a lower employee feels the need to contradict a superior's decisions.

[@CookieKorea]

Yes, you’re absolutely right. This culture of respecting elders or higher-ups, sometimes even prioritizing it over efficiency at work, does stem from Confucianism. It seems like you already have a solid understanding of Korean workplace culture. As globalization continues, Korean culture, especially in the workplace, is also changing. These days, while Confucian values remain relevant, we’re seeing more cases where companies are creating environments where people feel comfortable sharing opinions and engaging in open discussions more freely. For now, much of this progress still relies on the initiative of individuals with a strong voice. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us!🍪