Korean Job Discussion Forums

whatever · Joined: 11 Jun 2006 Location: Korea: More fun than jail.

So, I finally exhausted my supply of preferred deodorant brought/shipped from home...several years' worth and three countries later. I go to the (massive) supermarket to buy some more, and I have great difficulty finding any. Turns out that the selection was tucked away in a not-so-frequented corner. I was quite surprised at the lack of selection and high price. Maybe it's just cheap where I come from, but W10,000+ seems a bit much.

Here's my (honest, not trolling) question: Is deodorant considered somewhat of a vanity item here? The location within the store makes me think it's not a popular item. The pitiful selection...only two or three brands in a huge E-Mart...made me scratch my head. That the few offered brands (all foreign) were more or less of well-known quality, i.e. Nivea, Neutrogena, made me wonder if people look at it as a premium item or a fragrance. The lack of a generic alternative reinforced my suspicions. The price makes it seem like a luxury item, not the everyday staple of most people's routines, which is how I've always looked at it.

I don't often notice body odor from Koreans, so I guess I was under the impression that deodorant was the norm. I really don't care that much how much it cost, and I got a brand that I am pleased with, so I'm not complaining. It just left me wondering...

I am aware that there are other things that are incredibly cheap in Korea relative to the West. Props, Korea.

cbclark4 · Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Location: Masan

I think they have a tablet for that/

I saw an advert on the tv, not sure what it was called but it sure looked like BO ad then they show the pill and go back to the seem with every body happy and breathing deep

cbc

butlerian · Joined: 04 Sep 2006 Location: Korea

Young FRANKenstein · Posted: Sun May 06, 2007 3:06 pm Post subject: Re: Sticker schock

ChuckECheese · Joined: 20 Jul 2006

Yo!Chingo · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: Seoul Korea

Asians have fewer apocrine glands than any other race and so they don't smell the way we do. Apocrine glands produce the scent that we associate with BO. As of matter of fact, 50% of Koreans don't have the gland at all!

Deodorant isn't really needed here.

ChuckECheese · Joined: 20 Jul 2006

cornholio1 · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Location: Bupyeong

If you go to any imported goods(blackmarket ) shop in incheon, seoul, or any other major korean city they will have most major brands at a fairly descent price. I buy mine when I run out for about 3000 or 4000 won.just ask a taxi driver for a 수입마트. It's pronounced shweep mah tuh I know there's one in yongsan and near every millitary installation in korea. best one is in 동두천. I live in incheon and theres one here in bupyeong near the bupyeong market station.