Korean Job Discussion Forums

chiaa · Joined: 23 Aug 2003

The fan-death thread made me think of something. Has anyone ever heard a Korean state that they do not have carpet because carpets have worms?

We are moving into a new place and I wanted to put carpet in the boy's room, but the wife gave a flat out veto to this one. I would love to hear what you guys have heard on this one. By the way, my wife does not believe in fan-death.

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

I've heard Koreans say carpets are dirty. Especially if you wear your shoes in the house western style.

So basically they were saying my Moms house is dirty!!! Cheers!

Koreabound2004 · Joined: 19 Nov 2003

Back home in Canada, I think it's generally expected that you take your shoes off at the door. Carpets or not.

I don't think carpets are any dirtier than non-carpeted floors, they are just a little harder to keep clean.

JongnoGuru · Joined: 25 May 2004 Location: peeing on your doorstep

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

We carpeted our baby's room, so that she can play in it when she wants. I also put her on it for tummy time etc.

peppermint · Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 10:45 pm Post subject:

Just a guess here, but the no shoes policy in the west is probably more common in areas that get a fair amount of snow. I know at home in NF, it would be really rude to walk into someone's home with winter boots on, leaving a trail of slush in your wake. In the summertime, it's totally okay though

Koreabound2004 · Joined: 19 Nov 2003

I was always taught back home never to walk in anyone's place with your shoes on...it's disrespectful. You can track in dirt/mud, small rocks, bugs, dog doodoo, and snow/slush ....who wants that? Shocked

When entering someone's house, I always always take off my shoes, unless someone tells me don't worry about it(and they usually have a messy or dirty house anyways).

The only folks I ever saw really wearing shoes indoors were folks on TV shows, and I always thought it strange....

The only think I find different here is that folks like to use indoor slippers a lot more, and the taking off shoes in a restaurant thing.

I second the idea of area rugs...wall to wall is kinda 80's and not such a practical investment.

canadian_in_korea · Joined: 20 Jun 2004 Location: South Korea

When we ripped up the carpets in my house....whoa....what a mess. No matter how much you vacuum shampoo.....steam clean...I guess you can't get all the dust out of there. After all was said and done I understand now why they highly recommend that you not have carpets if your child has asthma. I do have an oriental style rug there....which is much easier to take it outside and beat the dust out... Razz

Who knows maybe there is still just as much there....but it seems better than just vacuuming and shampooing....and overall there is less dust in the house.. Very Happy

chiaa · Joined: 23 Aug 2003

My mother would kill someone if they walked into our house with shoes on. I mean the woman could be dead asleep and she would know if someone was in the house with shoes. When we moved to Florida, she stated "We will get tile floors so you don't have to take your shoes off when you come in". That lasted until right after the movers moved everything in.

Most of my friends they keep their shoes on in their house. But even though I have not been around them for the past nine years, when I come home to visit my mom and they show up for dinner, there is always one step in the house and then a "Oh shit I forgot".

peemil · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Location: Koowoompa

Yep... Other peoples house. No worries. Take off my shoes. My house. I'm not stuffing around with my shoes when I have four bags of groceries in my hand. Walk right in.

Konundrum · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Boston

I'm from western Canada..we always took off our shoes when entering a house...Everytime. If you didn't, you'd probably hear about it.

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

We have a stoned floor in the hall at home, so mum always let us walk in as is. But we can only go as far as the kitchen... we all take our shoes off there and put them under the microwave table, where we change to our slippers. But we also always have to scrub our shoes on the coarse matt at the front door before we can walk in or mum yells at us... but they are not too worried about guests arriving and walking in with their shoes on. Mum's carpets get cleaned bi-yearly and I think she changed them every 2 or 3 years. I know the carpet in my room (now the *guest room*.. huh) has been changed at least once since I've left almost 5 years ago. It's now a lovely shade of green!