Korean Job Discussion Forums

RyanInKorea · Joined: 17 Jan 2008

Here's a money saving tip from a pro: Don't buy a cell phone, but be cool enough that people want to hang out with you. Eventually, someone will simply give you one because they are annoyed not being able to hang out with you. Most of my Korean friends have changed their phones since I've been here. Most just give someone their old phone. I got my phone like that.

Get a 10,000 won card if all you want to do is text,
Ryan

Young FRANKenstein · Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 7:59 pm Post subject:

i4NI · Joined: 17 May 2008 Location: Seoul

If you want to make your life harder and more inconvenient then by all means don't get a phone.

Bryan · Joined: 29 Oct 2007

I'm getting a phone for 15,000 won from somebody on this forum, which is a great deal. However, I want to say all the stuff about not having a social life because of no mobile phone is BS. First of all, I will be going to university and living in dorms. You DO NOT need a phone for a social life in any of those places, you live with your friends 24/7 and meet people on campus all the time. After class is over you go hang out with them or meet up at a spot later.

I have a mobile phone now in Canada but don't use it at all except to get useless texts from my girlfriend like 'hon i miss u,' and I am still able to have a very active and vibrant social life.

At the dorms we get informed about spontaneous outings through MSN or face to face about 95% of the time. Otherwise I contact my other friends through MSN and set up something for the next day.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

You are comparing apples (life at home) and oranges (life here).

You are in for some changes and surprises but hey, you are young, full of piss and vinegar and know all about life on this side of the pond so you don't need advice from those of us who are already here and know what we are talking about.

Welcome to our side of the big pond there dude.

.

RyanInKorea · Joined: 17 Jan 2008

i4NI · Joined: 17 May 2008 Location: Seoul

seoulteacher · Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Location: Seoul

Bryan · Joined: 29 Oct 2007

Alright cool. Tom, have you ever lived in and shared international student apartments while studying at university in Korea?

Bryan · Joined: 29 Oct 2007

seoulsucker · Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 10:15 pm Post subject:

Living in Korea without a phone is like running down a ski slope. Yeah, you'll reach the bottom eventually, but it's not nearly as smooth or enjoyable as it is with a good pair of skis.

If you plan on ONLY hanging out with your university friends and ONLY attending social functions within your campus bubble, go for it.

In terms of things you may not know, here's one; Korea doesn't use addresses. Finding out where your friends are at is a REAL beeeyotch. On most occasions, they'll use a subway station exit as a landmark, then say "Call me when you get there, and we'll walk you in."

Without a phone you'll be a PITA for your friends. They will get annoyed, trust me.

My group of friends had a guy who refused to get a phone because he thought he didn't need it. After several occasions of simply being left behind because plans changed or we switched locations, he finally came around. My bet is if you take the no phone route, you'll come around eventually too.

Give up the pretension and accept the fact that Korea is a mobile society in which you'll need a phone to operate and you'll be fine. Good luck.

Oh yeah, and dating the locals is nearly impossible without a phone, so get ready for some lonely nights. I don't recommend hooking up within the university dating pool. That gets REALLY small, REALLY fast.

Bryan · Joined: 29 Oct 2007

Yeah I actually did, I said in one of the posts above I was getting a 15,000 won phone. I was just replying to all the posts that had the "You are a young and naive university student with no world experience vibe," which is insulting.

seoulsucker · Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 10:20 pm Post subject:

Ah, my bad...missed that one.

Trust me, you'll be glad when you get one. Makes things 1000X easier here. Good luck to ya Wink

sheba · Joined: 16 May 2005 Location: Here there and everywhere!

The problem is that you asked a question and when people gave you an answer you got all defensive. I dont particularly appreciate giving my time to help someone and have it thrown back in my face... or other posters for that matter...

Terribly sorry if I offended you somehow in my posts.

Also keep in mind that youre posting on an ESL site where posters are predominantly teachers at public or private schools, not students studying at a Korean univeristy and sharing apartments with other international students...

RyanInKorea · Joined: 17 Jan 2008