Korean Job Discussion Forums

[blackjack]

If the school provides accommodation talk to your boss.

How good is your Korean? You may have misheard.

Man I am so wasted I can't open the door.
Yeah keep trying
Have you seen the new foreigner in the building?
Yeah she lives next door, she wakes me up each morning.
Man I hope that american chick doesn't wake me up this morning.
Why is there a dog in my apartment?
Dude that's not your apartment.

Couple of key words and it could mean anything.

peephole seems a good idea tho

[Goku]

Actually, it probably is a bunch of men messing with you... or just talking and playing around.

HOWEVER, you should totally take caution, because you can never be sure.

If you really want, it can provide you some comfort, you can buy these locks that allow you to crack open the door to see who's outside while it's still secure. People outside can't get in no matter what and you still have control. I think they are easy to install, I have no idea, my home came stock with one.

[nomad-ish]

changing the locks or just getting another lock or moving are all good ideas. moving will be a horrible struggle with the boss, but definitely propose it to him. also, tell your boss to inform the security guard, maybe he can check the security cameras and pinpoint the resident (if any of the men do live there). i'd also think of getting a sign translated to korean to stick on my door, something to the effect of "do not disturb or the police will be called."

i'd also think about carrying a little bottle of hairspray (anything that'll sting in the eyes) and an alarm (the one with the pin you pull out is excellent). remember to check around you before you unlock and open your door as well, only open your door if you are alone in the hallway.

although korea may be a bit safer than back home, people don't realize the problems that many foreign women experience here. noticeably foreign women stand out and many korean men stereotype foreigners as loose, so there begins the problem!

[hugekebab]

[hugekebab]

[Tundra_Creature]

I don't know how big your dog is, but chances are as long as you have it, you should be okay. No one likes dealing with a loud animal. I'm going to go along with everyone else here though and say talk to your boss about the situation, just in case.

[matthews_world]

I was sick one day and had left my door unlocked unknowingly. It just so happened that 100,000 was found missing from my wallet the next morning.

Koreans are curious and brave. This guy happened to be lucky on this night. I was dead asleep and didn't hear a thing.

[mayorgc]

[rowdie3]

I would take this pretty seriously espcecially with what's been happening in the community as far as the anti-foreigner attitude and attackers getting light sentences.

I had a guy grab my arm when I was letting myself into the gate of my building one time and ask me if he could come into to you use my bathroom. He had total crazy eyes. Had to shake his hand off my arm and get in the door fast.

As a result, I bought a personal alarm. I got it at Kosney in Myeongdong for about 15,000. I usually have it in my pocket when I walk off the main street and towards my apartment, haven't had to use it, but feel way safer with it.

So, definitely talk to your boss and get an alarm. I worry about a weapon. I think a lot of things can go wrong with that idea. A baseball bat sounds good. Stay away from knives. What if you lost the knife in a scuffle and it was used against you?

Take care. Hope they don't come back.

[Xaiko]

let me spend the night ill take care of them

[joltaxt]

[nobbyken]

Try to get some pepper spray (instead of a knife) and leave some treacle or similar around the handle.

[calicoe]

[DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP]

[Freeghen]

Thanks for the tips and ideas everyone.

For those of you who said you got a personal alarm ~ where can I get one and what do they look like? I've never heard of these before and I would like to get one.

To answer the above question: I'm the only foreigner that lives in this building, so there isn't really anyone I can go to and unfortunately, it makes me stand out even more. There are not many foreigners in my area in general and I maybe see one or two a couple of times a week when I walk around town.

I'm definately going to talk to my boss, however, he tends to brush things off and not take me very seriously. I don't think he will be keen on a move but i'm going to push for a peephole and be extra cautious on my way in and out of the building from now on.

Thanks again for sharing your ideas and stories everyone, it helps a lot.