Korean Job Discussion Forums

Masterjazz · Joined: 04 Jan 2006

Silly question maybe, probably................

But is the tap water drinkable or what?? Do Koreans drink it? I was in Bangkok and that water is defo off limits but other places it aint great but you can still drink it...

Cheers

peppermint · Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 7:06 am Post subject:

Most Koreans don't drink the water here. . Bottled water is easily available, and you can get big water cooler sized jugs delivered at home easily too

Masterjazz · Joined: 04 Jan 2006

Thanks peppermint... but you so 'most' Koreans, does that mean some do??? Ive just arrived and i was just a bit surprised by the price of bottled water-just paid 1,200 for a bottle...

Im sure ill get over it though, Laughing

was only wondering

VanIslander · Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 7:13 am Post subject:

I have asked nearly every class I've ever had whether they drink tap water or bottled water and almost consistently about a third (33%-ish) say they drink taop water after it's BOILED.

But they don't live anywhere near Seoul.

Njord · Joined: 12 Jan 2006 Location: South Korea

Why don't most Koreans drink tap water? I've found than an ever larger number of Americans don't drink tap water either and it has nothing to do with what is safe or healthy. I guess some people don't like the taste or something.

Is it the same here or are there any good reasons to buy drinking water? I'm used to drinking water that turns sinks red, so taste is not an issue for me. (high iron content)

peppermint · Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 7:17 am Post subject:

I know the water where I live is quite hard and just plain tastes bad. you can pay a lot for small bottles of water, but I get the water cooler jugs for 5,000 and that includes delivery ( up 3 flights of stairs)

Masterjazz · Joined: 04 Jan 2006

Thats quite good value for the jugs i must admit....

Njord,like u ive no quims about the taste either cos i tend to drink so much that im used to it after a while drinking it, so i wonder if theres another reason...

SPINOZA · Joined: 10 Jun 2005 Location: $eoul

weatherman · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: Korea

Had Seoul tap water for the first time a few nights ago. Forgot to buy bottled water, and was quite thristy early in the morning. My system had no problem with it, but it teasted like a batch of chemicals.

Big Mac · Joined: 17 Sep 2005

I think the bottled water companies have instilled fear in the Korean population so that they'll keep buying their water.

However, I've never seen anyone drink the tap water. And I wasn't going to take any chances. I did it once just to see if I keeled over and I was fine...it even tasted normal. But if the Koreans don't do it, I wouldn't either.

Fat Sam · Joined: 05 Dec 2005 Location: Gyeonggi-do

I drink two pints of tapwater every night. There's nothing wrong with it.

In England, most people drink the tapwater. I went to France where it is reputedly better, yet everyone buys bottled water because they don't trust it from the tap. I drank it there as well.

The taste isn't great but it's hardly going to kill you.

Big Mac · Joined: 17 Sep 2005

Col.Brandon · Joined: 09 Aug 2004 Location: Seoul

Put your hand up if you think that drinking tap water will result in instant ill effects?

Call me paranoid, but it's the long-term effects that I'd be worried about.

jaganath69 · Joined: 17 Jul 2003

Troll_Bait · Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 5:51 pm Post subject:

A while ago, the Seoul government had a promotional drive that said: "Let's drink tap water!"

Some students at my old school were government officials, and teachers asked them if they'd drink tap water.

The overwhelming consensus was, "No way."

Boiling water can kill microbes, but does nothing about things like heavy metals.

I use a Brita water container (you have to change the filter every few months) and boil the water.

You can't put a price on health.

Oh, and I love the logic of: "Well, I do so-and-so, and I'm not dead yet."

In my humble opinion, whoever said, "That which doesn't kill me makes me stronger," is an idiot.

That which doesn't kill you can leave you weakened for life.

Cutting off your legs won't kill you provided that you're rushed to an adequate hospital in time. Does that make you stronger?