Bribing Etiquette

by Dram_man on December 29, 2006

Noting to do with Korea specifically, but worth mentioning since the topic comes up in Korea frequently…

This weeks edition of the Economist has a fascinating look at the culture of corruption. What is said, what is done, etc. I will always remember the line from an immigration official while looking though my passport and the leather wallet-like cover for it, “You do not keep your money in your wallet?”.

The piece also has this gem:

The Economist lays down clear rules for its journalists…Any gift, says the policy, must be consumable in a single day. So a bottle of wine is acceptable, a case of wine is not.

Lesson here, never invite a reporter of the Economist to a wild party.

{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

1 dda December 29, 2006 at 7:22 pm

I’ve seen journos decimate bottles – plural – of whiskey bought with their own money in an evening… I can’t imagine how pitiful a single bottle of wine must sound! :-)

2 Zonath December 30, 2006 at 1:46 am

Any gift, says the policy, must be consumable in a single day. So a bottle of wine is acceptable, a case of wine is not.

If Hunter S. Thompson were still alive, I’m pretty sure he’d probably set that reporter straight. ;)

3 SomeguyinKorea December 30, 2006 at 10:41 pm

“Lesson here, never invite a reporter of the Economist to a wild party.”

A while party? A case of wine (or, preferably, beer) is an afternoon spent relaxing at the beach with friends.

4 p May 13, 2010 at 12:23 am

Cantal

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