Global business culture expert Keith Warburton had a cautionary tale for lawyers keen to swot up on cultural differences last week. He recalled a story told to him by some Finnish lawyers, who were entertaining three bankers over from South Korea. Throughout the meeting, it was clear that the Koreans had a strict pecking order, Korea being a very hierarchical business environment. Later, the Finns took them to Helsinki's best restaurant for a meal. After the first course, the most senior Korean belched, which was copied by the second, and then the third. The Finns thought this was bizarre, and even more so when the same thing happened after the main course, and again following dessert. The three Finns looked on in amazement, until one was compelled to ask: 'We noticed that you belch after every course in hierarchical order. Is this some kind of Korean custom?' The number one Korean looked at him in horror. 'No,' he blurted. 'We were told it was a Finnish custom'.