Korean Job Discussion Forums

[pixel8]

To me, I think Korea is overall expensive ie. american standard of living.

But its strange how people spend and save... a little inconsistent. I see teens and kids splashing in malls and western restaurants, without a worry ie. average >10,000 won p/person. But then I see adults saving every won, eating at traditional street restaurants ie. average <10,000 p/person. Every time I try asking peers about their lifestyle compared to teens, they claim they never have such luxury incl. their kids. And this coming from people who work as managers and execs in american companies. So, where did all those teen money come from... rich families, part time jobs, ???

On a daily routine, lunch costs average of 5000 - 8000 won but when having a 3500 won lunch, everyone says cheap cheap... a difference of 2000 won perhaps. That difference however is easily gone, when spending on misc. stuff eg. tiny can drinks or snacks (chewing gum), etc..... stuff which I myself think twice before buying.

Peers complain about expensive cars ... but the price of the local cars are so much cheaper than most asian countries I've been. For a local Hyundai or Kia, they are like half the price in Singapore or Malaysia or Hong Kong. Yet, most families only have 1 car average here. But in those countries, average is 2. Most people here commute by subway and bus, I find hard to believe. Petrol is not expensive. Carpark is provided by companies or are cheap on season parking basis. Traffic is similar globally.

Income here is USA standard. People earn above 3,000,000 at executive level.... that's way more than some asian countries and should warrant a decent living.

That's why I don't understand the inconsistent saving and spending.

[Reason.]

*reads again to make sure he is able to understand*

What are you trying to say exactly?

[Wangja]

That American executives earn 36,000,000 KRW a year.

[Cedar]

A few random comments to match a post it's hard to decipher the point of...


1. You never noticed mom and dad can't say no to little Jisu or Minsu?
2. Sometimes money comes from sugar daddies in relationships you don't want to know about.
3. A few bratty Gangnam kids giving you an impression, even though most kids aren't like that...
4. I've seen many kids spend half a day shopping allover downtown to end up with a new pencil case and three pens. Are you sure the kids you saw were all buying?

[SPINOZA]

[pixel8]

Have a look at the malls eg. COEX. At peak hour, the ones in queues are young-lings. Even at game centers and cinemas.


Basically what I'm saying is that being with American company's executives, their lifestyle is totally not the same as what I observed from teenagers and people who drive nice foreign cars. Even the company director I know of, drives only a local luxury car (I think Equus?). Peers do not drive to work, do not go to expensive amusement parks/aquariums/cinemas, pubs, etc..

So there must be something amiss somewhere. Or are my peers just misers in a funny way... save here, but spend there?

As for me, on a daily perdiem of USD50 (transportation and food), I can't do anything like the teens.

[SPINOZA]

Still none the wiser I'm afraid. It might be an idea if you learnt to articulate what ever fascinating point it is you feel you have more clearly.

[Demophobe]

This may very well be a lost Monty Python sketch.

[JongnoGuru]

[gajackson1]

My So & I would make a wonderful 'sugar couple' for the right starving college student.

But it isn't nearly as easy to find one here as it is in say, Japan or SEAsia . . .

We're still hopefully looking, though!



~G~

[Zyzyfer]

[pixel8]

Yep, life is definitely harder than the teens around me. I get by if I live like my peers though... eating below usd10 per meal and commuting via subway/bus.... and thats for me... not counting the family.

Found another thread about how prices are high in korea (http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=57290).