From the standpoint of Weigand’s concept of ‘competence-in-performance’, this paper analyses the communicative function of sangdae-nopim in conversations at Korean workplaces. The aim of this investigation is to show that in the modern Korean society speakers draw on sangdae-nopim in a more and more strategical fashion. Rather than reducing its function to the traditional value of ‘showing respect to one’s dialogue partner’, it will be demonstrated how sangdae-nopim is used to mediate between both respect and selfinterest.