A foreign student who had just started an internship asked me. "I finished all my work and left quietly, but the next day the atmosphere felt strange. I noticed everyone says something when they leave, though?" That's right. In Korean offices, when leaving work, people say "먼저 들어가 보겠습니다" as a greeting. ## Why do you always have to say "먼저"? This phrase carries the feeling of "I'm sorry that I'm the one leaving first." In Korean companies, there has long been a belief that people who stay and work late look diligent. So leaving first felt a little awkward. This greeting is a way of saying, "I've finished my work. But I haven't forgotten you all." ## Can't I Just Leave Quietly? It's not that you can't. But if you disappear without a word, people start wondering, "Did something urgent come up?" or "Is he in a bad mood?" Some people end up wondering about you. That's because Koreans place great importance on 'nunchi', the ability to read the unspoken mood. Just a quick word of goodbye makes those worries go away. ## What should I say? Stand up from your seat, make eye contact with someone nearby, and say "I'll head out first" or "I'm going to head out first." If your team leader is there, it's best to say it loud enough for them to hear. They'll usually reply, "Yes, good work today." You can answer with "Thank you for your hard work" too. Every team has a different atmosphere, so during your first week, watch how your seniors do it.