Samsung: China’s consumers are livid after Chinese executives kneeled to apologize for the Galaxy Note 7
After the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco Samsung seems to be having difficulty winning back Chinese consumers that lost faith.
The South Korean firm issued a belated recall of the Galaxy Note 7 in China, weeks after it ceased sales in the US, that prompted allegations of anti-China prejudice. Then on Oct. 29, Samsung held an event in Shijiazhuang, Hebei for local providers. For continuing to support the brand in order to thank retail associates, about 20 Korean and Chinese Samsung leaders took the stage at the big event, and then kneeled to show their gratitude.
The gesture was not well-received in China.
When a Sina Weibo user (who claims to have purchased a defective Galaxy Note 7 that exploded) tweeted out an image of the executives on their knees, thousands of Chinese internet users responded angrily. By kneeling, Samsung showed disrespect for Chinese culture, they said.
“Now we can say adieu to Samsung,” wrote one on Weibo (connection in Chinese, enrollment required). Our virtuous ancestors, what’s the intent of the form of bowing? I can’t accept this in my heart,” another wrote.
Kneeling in China is considered an antiquated practice, connected with feudal society (although it has also been used by Chinese firms in the recent past to shame workers). An extended 2014 piece from English language state media outlet China Daily describes kneeling as something reserved just a “god”, for one’s family, or in acts of extreme despair.
A Chinese will kneel down before a god to beg for a blessing or express his or her gratitude to the god for a wish that has been fulfilled. They may kneel before their parents on special occasions such as their parents’ birthday or Spring Festival to show their gratitude for their efforts to bring them up.
Koreans were responsible for the Galaxy Note 7 debacle, not critics of the practice, Chinese executives said. “They claim to be a worldwide business, but the management doesn’t know about the significance cultural differences?” another composed on Weibo (link in Chinese, registration required).
The term means “stick” but refers to Korea’s participation in the Japanese occupation of Manchuria. One even made light of the continuing scandal plaguing South Korean President Park Geun-hye.
“South Korea is a nation whose president is controlled “eight fairies.” and by a cult Can you believe this country may continue with this course?” if the culture and mindset of its greatest biggest economic pillar aren’t ordinary
Samsung’s statement to Chinese media outlet the Paper (link in Chinese) indicated that Chinese executives kneeled without being told to by management:
It was regional stock purchasing event for providers, PR had no knowledge of it ahead. Despite the influence of the Galaxy Note 7 explosions, providers reserved many orders at the big event, and continued to support Samsung as we understand it. It was exceptionally touching for Samsung’s top executives, and in accordance their customs they kneeled to express gratitude towards these vendors. Samsung’s China executives were also moved, and they kneeled too.
The Galaxy Note 7 fiasco cost Samsung Electronic $2.3 billion in profit in Q3 2016. The company isn’t wholly determined by smartphone sales, but China will be critical, if it expects to revive its apparatus division. Its status as the country’s marketplace leader eroded in recent quarters, and local players like Oppo, Vivo, and Huawei are leading instead.
