Korean Job Discussion Forums

[languistic]

Seriously....people...leave the backpack at home. You look tragic with your little security blanket lashed to your back. Trash the Ks for their manbags if you like, but the scrungy backpack looks just as bad.

So says I.

[Senior]

Haha. An old favorite topic, which hasn't come up in a while.

T minus 5, 4, 3....... till the Canadians chime in to tell you to stfu.

[VanIslander]

backpacking through Asia, lugging one's laptop around as well as one's shopping and home prepped foods rather than using designer shopping bags and local restaurants,.... waaaaay better

[AsiaESLbound]

Well, what am I supposed to use being that I'm a man and I don't carry those gigantic purses? A briefcase? Come on. I'm not packing 2L of water, snacks, and stuff in a briefcase. Also a briefcase is useless for lugging home food and beverages. A briefcase is also too small of a carry-on on a flight unless it's small enough to pass as a personal item where it's only big enough to fit your laptop.

Nothing wrong with the classic backpack if it's clean and fairly new looking. The Koreans are wearing lots of outdoor sporting/hiking style gear, except those in shiny silver business suits.

[djsmnc]

Man, I'm sick of those people being comfortable with themselves too. Don't people realize that I might be looking at them and mocking the fact that they carry a backpack or a manpurse?

[seonsengnimble]

I prefer a messenger bag. Not as big as a backpack, and not as effeminate as a murse. I can keep my books, documents, snacks and mp3 player in it. If Korean men want to use a purse, I see nothing wrong with it, but I find them less practical. They have considerably less space, are much less comfortable and are probably more expensive.

[kimchi_pizza]

Whenever I make it up to Seoul and hop onto a subway I only have a wallet in my back pocket and keys/cell in my front pockets. It's trully weird 'cause I feel odd and naked compared to everyone else on the subway with hands full or bodies laden down with some baggage tucked under legs or on their backs, games in hand or plugs in their ears.

[murmanjake]

Who wears a backpack for a sense of security?

For me it's convenience. Groceries, computer, books. Ilike having my hands free...

Guess those murses just don't do it for me. I imagine I'd a feel a little off-balance(and a little off too).

Is there really anyone out there who feels that insecure in Korea? If you're brave enough please come forward and share your story. Perhaps we'll all feel a little stronger afterwards...

[Globutron]

I tend to just wear about 5,000 pockets in each item of clothing and then stuff everything inside those so they're barely staying in. Then I'll spend the day with paranoia on my belt as to make sure nothing drops.

Ideal.

[JMO]

Hands free for what?!? Might have to wrestle a bear? Sexually arouse a moose?

You wear a backpack in a city and you like look a hick, end of story. Buying groceries? How about this, use a reusable grocery bag.

For the love of God, show some self respect. And stop wearing hiking boots everywhere also. Buy some nice sneakers that are flat and designed for a city. Maybe buy some trousers that aren't ill fitting jeans.

Yes, I'm judgemental but god you people need help. Convenience? What the hell does convenience have to do with anything. The only people who get to dress for convenience are the pregnant, mothers of young babies, the clinically obese and people who use bikes as their primary means of transport. That's it. the rest of you, develop some style and stop offending my eyes.

[Arthur Dent]

Some of the people you are seeing may be commuting in to Seoul for the day from the edge or outside of the city to shop or even stay overnight.

If they are shopping, they won't want to carry a shopping bag in case they have to stand on the bus.

You need both hands unless you get a seat.

[Globutron]

I also like to juggle as I shop. So I need free hands.

[languistic]

[Kurtz]

This rather distasteful phenomenon stems from the fact that many young people here are doing the "backpacking in Asia thing" and want to keep up the image, even though they are living and working in one place. What's worse is when they wear quick drying pants/shorts and shirts combined with TEVA sandals especially in big expensive Dept. stores. Looks kind of juvenile.

Keep the backpacks for backpacking or hiking in the mountains.

Wearing backpacks on the street or even worse to work shows a complete lack of style. Style can be bought for a fairly cheap price these days.

[The Gipkik]