Korean Job Discussion Forums

[malandlu]

Since arriving in Korea I constantly see extreme examples of ridiculous over packaging of products (not that at home its much better but companies are changing) just wondered what other examples people have seen?

The two I saw today were:
My Paris baguette sandwich which came �lovingly� split into 4 mini sandwiches, each with their own useless paper base, were then placed in a gold foil cardboard tray, and the whole shebang was wrapped in cellophane. But then of course at the counter they placed my sandwich in another mini plastic bag tied with a sweet wire twist and popped that in a large paper bag with convenient handles. Yes! 5 layers of packaging for 1 sandwich!

The other was a classic in Starbucks: Lookout for the Starbucks burlap bag for life, We all love a �bag for life� especially when it comes packaged in cellophane with a handy cardboard belt around it (looking very rustic and earthy) and of course popped in another bag for you at the counter. Irony is sort of wasted on Starbucks Korea it seems.

[Nemo]

It's kinda typical in Korea. Form over substance.

It doesn't matter if the taste is average to mediocre, as long as it looks good all wrapped up and presentable.

[steveinincheon]

Yeah,
the packaging can be a bit extreme at times - like individual wrapping every single cookie within a box. But at least a lot of the packaging can be recycled here.

[red_devil]

Good lord, whining over packaging as soon as you hit the soil. I think you came to the wrong place if you're going to be anal about crap like this...another Dave's ESL troll is born.

[detourne_me]

I guess you've never eaten Lunchables in the west.
Also, just bring your own bag or ask them not to put it in a bag.
Better yet, don't shop at Starbucks or Paris Baguette, give the little guys a chance.

[orangepostit]

I think there are certain advantages to individually wrapping each cookie.

Yes there are no environmental advantages, but from a nutrition standpoint it's a lot easy to eat just one cookie if that's all you've opened. Plus the extra packaging prevents a person from opening a package of something crispy, and then the humidity ruining it.

Of course there is no reasonable reason why a sandwich should have five layers of packaging. All for the sake of appearance.

[Xuanzang]

Japan is even worse. Everything is plastic wrapped, gift wrapped complete with a bow and bag. The only thing left is for it to be dipped in chocolate.

[Goku]

I couldn't stand it when I first got here.

Not only did I think it was enviromentally wasteful, but I was wasting a lot of time. opening each one individually.

Here I am trying to stuff my face with cookies, but I have to take the time to open each one up.

I love these ginger cookies for coffee... But I want to eat like 10 at the same time.... sigh...

But I definatley see the benefits of having them like that way. It really is good for keeping freshness.

[Triban]

[fermentation]

I find it weird, but its not that big of a deal.

[the bomb dot com]

I actually feel the exact opposite from the OP.

In America, buy a button-down shirt from Brooks Brothers or Ralph Lauren and you'll get a ridiculous amount of crap along with it. Pins, plastic clips, cardboard backing, cardboard collar-stiffiners, branded tissue paper, cardboard tags with affixed with a wax stamp, all inside a plastic bag.

And in the USA, you get plastic bags automatically at grocery stores and the like, even if you only purchase an item or two.

Consumer electronics companies are starting to get wise to those horrible clamshell plastic containers, though.

At least here sorting garbage is the norm- although how effective it is is anyone's guess.

[phoenixstorm]

Finally, it's not just me! Sometimes, I just want to snatch whatever I just bought away from the cashier before he or she starts that layer after layer of cellophane followed by tissue paper a bag and then of course the ribbons and staples to make sure the bag stays closed.

All of that is just a waste.

[poeticjustice]

Yet Korea and Japan both pollute/waste significantly less per capita and per income than the good ole' US of A.

In America people ARE overpackaging. There are god damn hideous fatties everywhere. You don't see that in Korea or any other parts of Asia.

In ancient times, one American would have fed a whole village if they stuped to cannibalism.

If an animal got that fat they'd probably put it down!

Quit your fussin'!

[UknowsI]

I don't like unnecessary packaging, but when it comes to cookies I've found the individually wrapped cookies to taste much better than the ones which are not wrapped individually. They are much softer and much better. I don't like cookies that much, so if I had to buy the dry ones I wouldn't want to eat them anyway, but the individually packed ones are perfect for having one with the coffee every morning.