Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rapier]

I wonder if any of you have tried to quit smoking here. i have on 2/3 occasions now, but finding it impossible. The reason? all the stress and strain of the hogwon. Lets face it, working all day with koreans never mind trying to teach them, is stress- filled. All that time spent hanging around if you're on a split shift, or those hours not understanding a word of what they say, i find I absolutely need the relief of a cigarette. Its comforting, relaxing. There's also the instant coffee fix, rapidly becoming a valuable source of energy and motivation.
I quit once before for quite a while, but that was in the sunny, relaxed good ole Australia.

[matko]

Let's not forget the fact that cigarettes are soooooo cheap and practically everyone smokes. There are hardly any restrictions as to where you can smoke. It's just too easy to be a smoker in Korea.

I found I smoked alot less in Canada and even quit for a few months. WAAAY too expensive and smoking is banned in all public places and in some places the bars as well. (in Vancouver anyway)

[dogbert]

I have always wondered why smoking falls under the category of stress relief.

My layman's understanding tells me that the unhealthy assault on the body caused by smoking would cause stress, not alleviate it.

[dogbert]

[FierceInvalid]

I actually manage to smoke way less here than I did in Canada, but I haven't quit. I've never been a particularly heavy smoker (a pack every 2 days at the height), but in Korea I've managed to go back to being an "only when I'm out drinkin" smoker.

I did originally come here with the idea of quitting - a new environment, different routines, etc. so I thought it would be ideal. For me it was the money and beer that kept me back. I can go for weeks without smoking without a problem if I don't drink, but if I have a beer I really crave a smoke. Lord knows I'm not gonna give up beer, so here I am...

[justaskdan]

Yes to all of the above... thought I would quit here, ya right, a third of the cost as Canada and too much free time on my hands. I find after a really bad class I need a cigerette. But I find the real reason that I can't quit the four times I tried is because they are so damn addictive.

[The Cube]

..

[tomwaits]

Don't listen to these politically correct Canadians. They were idiots at home and they are stretching it;. They should get a life and it wont be a minute too soon. Price is irrelevant---these goofs can only think in terms of home which is where they should go. DEATH TO NONSMOKERS I say cheers to ya!!!

[matko]

Tommyboy

Who are you refering to as politically correct Canadian idiots and why?

[tomwaits]

Matko I will have you know my name is Thomas. (HAHA)

The anti-smoking lunatics I refer to are in fact Canadian. Well exsuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuse me!!! Is it my fault that they are nuts>??? No I dont think so!!!! Let them go back to Canada and bitch about smoking we dont want them here!! Let them do their politically correct whing someplace else.

[Dan]

smoking pisses me off. what dumbass thought up the idea of putting something on fire, putting that in your mouth and then inhaling it?

did they try other things too? were they smoking pine leaves before they found this crazy little plant called tobacco?

and 1 thing i heard in korea. koreans have lower rates of lung cancer and other smoking related illnesses. can anyone verify this claim? and if it is true, might it be because koreans smoke really weak cigarettes?

[waterbaby]

Nope... not impossible... I did it.

[The Den]

I also quit smoking in Korea. At the time I ws smoking over a pack a day of Marlboros. I finally decided enough was enough. My girlfriend, now my wife got me the patch. I cut back the first week went on the patch and quit. It has been 6 years since I have smoked tobacco. I live a different lifestyle and I don't even think about it. I grew up in a smoking household and started when I was about thirteen. I quit when I was 25. I don't even like going to visit my parents anymore because they chainsmoke. It burns my nose and throat. I am not one of those crazy anti smokers. If someone wants to smoke around me even in a vehicle as long as the window is open it does not bother me. But in a really smoky place with little ventilation it sucks.

Anyway I guess there are at least 3 people on this post who have quit in Korea so I do not think it is impossible.

[Squaffy]

I'm smoking 2 packs a day now compared to 1 pack a day back in the UK. One thing though - it stops me from hawking up lots of phlegm like most - maybe it's a 'condition your lungs' thing. Good excuse to keep smoking eh? I gave up once but it only lasted for 3 hours.

[whiskey jack]

I did it after 10 years of heavy green death(Export A for those unfamiliars) inhalation. And the brunt of that done when I was in college AND working a full time job. So stress is an excuse I can see people using. It was mine for a long time. Finally after turning 30 I just went to a pharmacist buddy of mine in Korea and bought the patch. After two weeks of using the patch I was done. To test myself I went out on weekends without a patch to many different smokey establishments. I am glad I did it. I never thought it possible.
Now on a variety of special occasions I will only smoke a lovely cohiba esplendito.Ahh three cheers for CASTRO ,CUBA<COHIBA!!!!!