Korean Job Discussion Forums

[periwinkle]

I personally think alot of the decorating in this country is tacky- both in the way that people dress (especially the ajummas) and in the way people decorate their homes. Case in point: I used to teach privates at the home of couple whom were both physicians with their own private practices. The apt. was huge, and they had a housekeeper, but the furniture and the general appearance of the place was shoddy. Granted, style isn't that important to some people, but I have seen some yucky, yucky places. Yes, there are westerners who don't care much about their living space, too (always worrying about ruffling too many feathers...).

I mean, how can people think that those gigantic orange leather sofas look good? How can some women think that wearing 3 sparkly hair ornaments look good? I have seen men who are dressed like pimps. Maybe people want to try to stand out, and hey, the more ornamentation, the better. Maybe basic is boring- dunno.

On the other hand, I have been in a few really gorgeous apartments, but it was because the owners hired a designer.

Anyway, the apt. I'm living in now has pieces of scotch tape stuck all over the windows and the wallpaper. I can't get it off, and trying to scratch it off with my weak fingernails is totally annoying. I put-up posters in my bedroom when I was a kid. Now, prints are not displayed without a frame . Oh- don't get me started on the ink scribbles all over the wall. In kindergarten, I tried to draw on the wall with a crayon, and my mom nearly went hysterical. I understand children do things like this, but obviously mommy didn't tell her kiddies to knock it off, or they didn't listen if she did.

Ever try to buy a basic alarm clock? Most of them are shaped like a cartoon character, have a character theme, come in a gaudy color like bright pink, or are a cheap imitation of a Victorian design. I bought a basic, black digital display alarm clock in Japan, but I fried it when I plugged it into the outlet (yes, I had a converter).

Ambiance is missing, too. I burn a scented candle every night, and I try not to use the overhead lights. I like soft light, but Koreans prefer glaringly bright lights. Why is this? Maybe people think, "Why buy lamps when I have overhead lights?" So much for subtlety and mood. Do people rock their babies to sleep in brightly lit rooms, or in the dark, I wonder?

Maybe people are being economical, so therefore buying the cheapest thing, even if it's tacky, is what's important. For myself, I try to buy things that are quality, and will last for a long time. What's your take on the prevailing gaudiness?

[captain kirk]

I too light a candle for ambiance when I get home from work. It's a stress buster. Better to light a candle than curse the darkness, I mean tackiness.
Yeah, that's true, Koreans don't hold back from being afraid of going too far. They don't blink much. They dynamically leap forward heedlessly and venture into realms of tackiness. Or being a fashion victim. And, do you know, I don't think they much give a damn what anybody thinks. They just do what they feel, and gung ho into it.

Kind of surreal, all the tackines. So much fashion violation that it's hard to keep track without getting a headache. A zen approach? The discordance simply is, then? To feel better?

Ommmmmm, very tacky but I don't care. Ommmmmm, OMG that's tacky but whateverrrrrrrrrrr......

[JacktheCat]

Do you mean tacky or wacky or shoddy? I am confused.

Japan is the king of wacky products, as anybody who has visited the place can attest to.

I've got to remember to pick up one of those Hello Kitty personal massage units the next time I'm over there.

[fidel]

periwinkle, you are the biggest snob I have come across in a while!

Congratulations

[trigger123]

i tell you, korean fashion is truly appaling darling
i mean, i'm no quee.r eye, but cupcake, whats with that leather handbag and the pink panther t-shirt and slacks?
the whole worrrrrrrrrrrld's just gone G.A.Y!

[billybrobby]

Some stuff is just tacky. I went to a Korean wedding once. You can see all those wedding halls are tacky from the outside, but I was still pretty suprised by the tackiness. Maybe I'm snobby, but I think wedding cermonies should never involve fog machines, bubbles, or lasers, much less all three.

[nev]

Different strokes for different folks. Most of Asia is tacky by Western standards.

[Saxiif]

Nouveau riche are the same everywhere, lots of money but no taste. Same goes for America, old money generally have vastly better house decor than self-made people (in addition to generally being huge assholes, but that's another questions). There's very very very little old money in Korea so pretty much all the rich people here are insanely tacky. Apparently this sort of thing is even worse in China since there's even less old money in China than in Korea for obvious reasons. Give Korea a generation of so and they'll start catching up to Japan in style, which should be interesting to see.

[turtlepi1]

[joe_doufu]

Clearly none of you have been to Taiwan!
I actually think Korea looks slick and modern compared to what I've seen in Taiwan and er China.

Want to water-proof your house? Try covering the entire exterior with BATHROOM TILES as most families in Taiwan seem to do.

PS: A giant bright orange sofa! Where can I get mine???

[captain kirk]

Yeah, right, balance will be restored after the fall of western civilization. That's like saying, 'balance will be restored after I fall on my ass'.

[pollyplummer]

HAHAHAH! Nice.
Seriously, I'm sick of people ragging on western civilization. You wouldnt be here if it wasnt for western civilization. Oh and guess what, Korea wouldnt be here if it wasnt for western civilization. They'd all be pinkos down here if it wasnt for all of the soldiers hanging around Itaewon that many of you seem to despise. Talking about the fall of western civilzation is like cursing your own mother. The only reason you can post on this primarily english-speaking board is because of western civilzation. So wake up from your pretentious reverie and stop sh*tting where you eat.

[the_beaver]

[joe_doufu]

[pollyplummer]

Alright, alright... I guess I was refering to the more highly evolved version of western civilization... And I dont mean france, if ya catch my drift...
I'm a patriot. So shoot me. I love my people.