Korean Job Discussion Forums

[DanseurVertical]

I actually feel unwell in chronically air conditioned buildings. Always have, for as long as I can remember.

But I think that's mainly because I'm more sensitive to cold than others are, and chronically air conditioned buildings are drier than if they were left open (in most climates, outside air tends to be more humid).

I also have a strong preference for fresh, circulating air. I generally prefer to be outdoors to being indoors.

My response: in summer I use a fan and not AC unless it's unbearably hot, and in winter I'll periodically close my room's vent and open a window to change the air.

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I don't think Koreans can scientifically explain their intuition / feeling about indoor air. So they maybe freely create theories to explain it, but those theories lack scientific basis. As a consequence, they know that following the practices makes them feel better, but the exact procedures (e.g., opening windows for the first 10 minutes of using the AC) are inefficient.

To North Americans, we only notice the inefficiency, so they seem like nonsense to us. But I think the real empirical basis is just psychological: people like some combination of outside air and indoor, conditioned air.

[whitestboyalive]

My co-worker today informed me of the TRUE reason Koreans open the window when the air conditioner is on.

In a stale room the oxygen content of air molecules drops rapidly. Carbon and toxic materials attack the oxygen and turn it into carbon monoxide. These molecules are negatively detracted from blowing wind, as they do not wish to become "good" again. The "good" air blowing in from the AC is charged with static energy and attracts the "bad" toxic air like a magnet, forcing it out the window. Once all the "bad" air is out, it is released up into the atmosphere where the rain will eventually grab it and bring it down to the ground where it will be reborn into dust which goes down into the sewer and poofs out of existence, breaking up naturally. Once all the "bad" air is gone (typically after 10 minutes) and all the "good" air inside, then it is time to shut the window. But beware! Unless the AC is going constantly, at the lowest temperature possible, the good air molecules will start becoming bad!

Whatever you do, don't turn on a fan at the same time as the AC, especially with the window closed! This chops up the oxygen molecules, therefore leading to create a poisonous atmosphere which can lead to asphyxiation by the fan.

[Triban]

[Weigookin74]

[ThingsComeAround]

[cj1976]

I had the aircon on today, but I was forced to open the windows due to the horrendous odour emanating from my sweaty, adolescent students.

[Sticks]

You'd think deodorant and antiperspirant would catch on here, but nooooooo it's 'only for girls.'

[Steelrails]

We run the AC for 10 minutes with the windows open, but that's to help drive out the smell of the toxic varnish that was used on our hardwood floors and walls. Seriously, in the summer months that place is lethal. It's the only place in Korea I don't ever find insects that have taken up residence.

[bobrocket]

I usually have a window open when I crank the AC, I love the cool crisp feeling but I need fresh air coming in. There's no logic or science behind it.
It's not Korea specific either, it's just me

[some waygug-in]

As a side question, why is it that many Koreans can't seem to understand how to use a thermostat or temperature control?

It seems the "air-con" is always set to full on Arctic Freeze or turned off.

There seems to be no happy medium.

[happiness]

[Louis VI]

I like to jack the A/C with the windows down in my car. A blast of cool air yet fresh too, NO A/C HEADACHES!

And in my classroom I leave the windows a little open with the air conditioner on and fan on, so that the air circulates well.