Korean Job Discussion Forums

[miss valens]

Just a quick question:

Will tall people encounter any everyday problems and or annoyances because of their height? My boyfriend and I are hoping to teach in Seoul and are just looking for a heads up on this issue as he is six foot six (around 195 cm i believe). Will he be able to stand in the subway for instance? This probably seems silly but he is pretty tall...

thanks for any input!

[hugekebab]

He'll be fine. I have a friend who is about the same, might have to duck a door or four, but so what, right? The subway is the same size as any, maybe a little lower roof, but maybe the same.

[hugekebab]

Now your apartment may be a different matter. They tend to be very small, especially in Seoul.

[miss valens]

well, he is pretty used to ducking already. should we mention the tall thing in regards to housing before accepting any employment? it probably won't make a difference, i'm guessing.

[Underwaterbob]

I'm 196cm (not trying to one-up him, just saying) and getting around isn't an issue. One thing I have noticed is Koreans on the bus tend to lean their seat back completely ignorant of what's behind them. I've had a few repeatedly ram their seats into my knees unable to figure out why their seat won't go further back.

I look pretty funny on my motorbike too... knees in the air...

[Frankly Mr Shankly]

200cms here and in 6-odd years in Korea I only really had issues with older style buildings, some of which have radically lowered vertical clearance. That, and sitting on floors in some restaurants was a bit uncomfortable. Otherwise, transport and everything else was fine.

[ChinaBoy]

The subway can be bothersome at times because some of the bars for people to hold on to will get in his way.

[NightSky]

only about 178 cm here and am constantly ducking stuff, can't even wash dishes without getting a backache because the sinks are all too low. also any countryside bathrooms (think gas stations) you go to will have dwarf-sized doors and stalls, good luck there. seoul might be easier to navigate though. I am in the country and they are all shorties here.

[ThingsComeAround]

I'm 194cm and randomly bump my head on the ceiling in the bus.

On the subway and in my flat its good

[Crockpot2001]

I'm 195. Stairway ceilings seem to be low at times but you can see those coming. Buying clothes that are sort of stylish is tough even in Yongsan. I have found hiking boots and other athletic shoes in 14+ (50 European). I don't find that people even gawk much unless I am doing something only weirdo space aliens do like fix a flat on my bicycle or do situps on the outdoor situp bench. I think those have less to do with my height and more to do with odd Korean staring habits.