Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Qinella]

For the people who have been, how did you like it? Is there anyone that visits them regularly?

My boss took me to one last weekend because my plumbing was out and I needed a shower. It was my very first "culture shock" in Korea after having been here for two weeks at that point. It wasn't bad, just a little strange. A room full of middle-aged men walking around naked. And of course, they were all staring at me the entire time.

But... I wished I could've stuck around and enjoyed the saunas. They looked very nice and relaxing.

One thing, though, I noticed it was all men, but my Korean friend said he and his wife sometimes go. So do women and men go in the same sauna? Do all the men gawk at them the way they did to me? (I'm a man, btw)

Cheers,
Qinella

[Qinella]

Oh lord, I just posted this and then saw the other thread going about the same topic. hehe..

[Derrek]

Yeah, they will gawk at you almost anywhere... even at Itaewon's Hamilton Sauna, although not so much there.

I've often thought is would be hilarious if there was some sort of massive, long, yet real-looking fake *beep* I could hook on that would really freak out the locals.

Well, then again, I guess mine is big enough to draw lots of stares anyway.

[PolyChronic Time Girl]

Yeah, I heard the same thing from my male friends that their "gear" definitely gets checked out. It must be very uncomfortable.
There are separate saunas for men and women (naked saunas). After their time at naked sauna is done, then they change into the horrible orange or whatever colored shorts and shirt and meet at the jimjillbang.
As a woman, the other women never notice me. But I have long black hair and I wear those hydrating face masks inside the sauna so maybe they think I'm Korean? Well, even without a cleansing mask, the women never stare at me. They are really into scrubbing and cleaning themselves so they don't bother talking to me, which is great. Like I said in the other thread, I find the saunas a great place in Korea to escape the everyday stares on the street.

[rawiri]

Who gives a crap what their looking at? jimjilbangs kick ass. The first time is a bit unnerving but once youv'e done it, being at is nothing. Don't be shy!

[casey's moon]

I don't get stared at too too much (as PCTG said, the women are pretty busy when they're at the sauna) but I do get checked out and sometimes get compliments which used to freak me out, but I take it in stride now. Actually, some of the most natural and comfortable conversations I've had with Koreans have been while naked in the hot tub.

[Ya-ta Boy]

Try the mok-yok-tang at the Yusong Hotel (in Yusong). If you are on the street corner, the mok-yok-tang is on the left side, back by a fountain. I think it costs W3,500 or W4,000.

The main room has spouts of water coming down from the ceiling, which feels great.

But the cool part is outside. There is a small pool of hot water to sit in outside. Try it on a rainy day. (It's also quite nice when it's snowing.)

The north end of Taejon has lots of saunas. Maybe there is a better one now. Jimjilbangs are the newer type--some have game rooms and TV rooms...I don't know what all. Ask your boss where a good one is.

[Qinella]

[Qinella]

[Ya-ta Boy]

No, I'm sorry. For some reason, 9pm comes to mind, but I don't think I believe myself.

I can advise you to avoid Yusong Hotel on Sunday. It's crowded. Very crowded. And lots of screaming kids. Not good for a hangover.

The best time is during the day. If you are on a split shift, it works out really well. Do a couple of hours working, go take a long hot bath, then go home and curl up for a good snooze.

If it helps, I think most mok-yok-tangs open around 6 am.

The big jimjilbangs are 24 hour deals. They are great.

I totally understand about the boss thing. Do you teach any adults? Ask a class. They all know the location of good places. Ask for a map and the name in Korean...show it to a taxi driver.

[peemil]

I've been once. Someone wanted to touch "it." I don't go anymore.

[skookum]

I'm way away from anywhere. I've been to three bath houses in my small town and have enjoyed all of them.Mostly people give me enough space. Get in there, make sure you wash yourself well before getting in the hot tubs. Last one I was in had a steam room with a three-foot tall stainless-steel urn with steam coming out of it and kind of an aromatic aroma - very pleasant. 3,500 won for a bath and all. I'll do it again no doubt before the week is over. Am I less observant or merely less paranoid?

[Merlyn]

[Ya-ta Boy]

Merlyn,

I think you got off lucky.

A friend of mine went in one of those bathrooms. While he was at the urinal doing his thing, the attendant came up behind him and started massaging his neck. Then when my friend finished, the guy whirled him around and gave his crotch a spritz of some kind of spray. Then held his hand out for a tip.

[kangnam mafioso]

i used to get a little weirded-out in the saunas, but kept going back because i loved the hots tubs and steam rooms followed by a quick shower and cold plunge pool. also, i had a lot of time off in the middle of the day so there way hardley anyone in there most of the time. people do check you out. i would carry a towel and just hold it around the privates as i walked from pool to pool (unfortunately, the towels aren't big enough to just tie around you). this was also effective when i took a nap on the jade under the red lamp thing. a lot of koreans cover themselves up too -- i found it just made me less self-conscious and people stared less.