Korean Job Discussion Forums

taobenli · Joined: 26 Apr 2004

Normally I'm not one to complain about Korea (I generally like it here), but in this case I really "don't understand Korean culture." I've been staying in Seongnam-si in Bundang-gu, and up to now it's been nice to be able to leave the windows open at night and get some cool air in rather than use the air conditioner. But this morning construction (jackhammers) in the Pangyo "new city" next door began at 6:30 A.M. Even when I close the window and put in earplugs it's too loud to sleep.

What a great way to start the day.

d-rail · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: Gangnam

about a month ago construction started in the building next to me. it would start at 5:45 every day and it lasted for 3 weeks. Evil or Very Mad

taobenli · Joined: 26 Apr 2004

I sent a message to the Korean Tourism Complaint Center. Haha, not like they're gonna care.

D.D. · Joined: 29 May 2008

I started the same thread a few months ago. I went and got the cops and tried just about everything else. Cops were so useless. Now I just close my window and crank on the the aircon.

taobenli · Joined: 26 Apr 2004

Wanna know something funny, though? This morning in my jackhammer-induced rage I sent an e-mail to the Korean Tourism Complaint center. I am technically a tourist now. My e-mail was rather rude (I just fired it off and didn't think about how it might be read until later). However, I got a very apologetic e-mail back from someone in the office, and they said they called the construction office in my area and would try to solve the problem! I mean, I'll only believe it when I see it, but I was pretty surprised to get a response, and so quickly.

I_Am_The_Kiwi · Joined: 10 Jun 2008

they could be starting at 6am.......look on the bright side.

Kimchi Cha Cha · Joined: 15 May 2003 Location: was Suncheon, now Brisbane

I've got a similar problem, next to my apartment they're creating a park space so there's been all sorts of noises starting from 7, not too noisy usually luckily. I don't blame them too much though as I definitely would prefer working the early daylight hours to avoid the midday heat and humidity.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Sick a pissed off 50ish ajuma on their early bird arses. Works every time.

danby_ll · Joined: 06 Dec 2006

How in the world is this a "Korean culture" thing? Doesn't construction start early everywhere in the world? In one of my apartments in Canada, I could never sleep past 7 because the damn workers would start around then. Drove me crazy.

StrayCat · Joined: 13 Apr 2007

get up at 6 and start doing that jogging that you've been promising yourself... or get girl/boyfriend and stay at their place for a while (or till the construction stops) and then dump the partner and move back...

sojourner1 · Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 4:42 am Post subject:

How about a loud truck crane thing out in front of your house at 3:30AM exchanging a load of scrap metal with someone else and dropping a quarter of it on the ground? clang clang, rumble, roar, clang she bang. I was ready to toss my dozen eggs early this morning at him, but I knew I'd miss and look silly with how tired I really was. LOL

Whistleblower · Joined: 03 Feb 2007

Guri Guy · Joined: 07 Sep 2003 Location: Bamboo Island

Whistleblower · Joined: 03 Feb 2007

Sorry but I am tired of the Korea bashing today:

1. Korean food ain't spicy!!!
2. Damn traffic created a pizza cat.
3. Is there any mohogany in Korea?
4. K girls and their strange marks.
5. Does this happen anywhere else in the developed world?
6. What would Japan look like if Korea had won WWII?

And this thread is another to go through but I don't have the time. Thus, the reason why I stopped at 'but'.

taobenli · Joined: 26 Apr 2004

Just to clarify, you're right, this is NOT a Korean culture thing. I put that I "really don't understand Korean culture" to reference another thread which discussed the good old "you don't understand our culture" excuse. But this excuse is also not only applicable to Korea- I have heard Americans tell people they don't understand "American culture" (individualism, can-do spirit, blah blah) as well.

I just posted on this topic to complain, pure and simple. Not even about a specific Korean topic, just a crappy start to my day. And I happen to be in Korea right now, so I posted on the "general" forum.

What I found interesting was that the Korean tourism board was so responsive to my e-mail. It seems like they did talk to the construction company, and now they are starting a bit later (though still earlier than I'd like) If you have a bad experience at a restaurant, etc. try e-mailing them sometime (and just say you're a tourist)! I doubt that a U.S. tourism board would care so much about an international visitor's negative experience...

And seriously, I DO like it here, and I DON'T complain much. Do a search on my username if you don't believe me.