Korean Job Discussion Forums

[citizen erased]

There is a sauna near my apartment and I think i'd like to check it out tomorrow, mostly because i have nothing else to do. Im sure this will sound stupid but is there anyone who could describe what they are exactly? Id kind of like to know what to expect beforehand.

[daemyann]

Having only been to one myself, I'm hardly an authority.
Nevertheless, here are a few things to expect.
1. Everyone will be naked.
2. Normal pool rules apply. (shower before you enter etc.)
3. Expect some hot tubs, pools and literal saunas.
4. If you stare at people, they will stare back. Go figure.
5. Some places have massage parlors/ barbers nearby.

[citizen erased]

ah, naked.


see, i didnt even know that. i think im a little afraid of that.

[articulate_ink]

It's hard not to feel conspicuous but after a while you sort of stop noticing. The first time I went, I was with a Korean friend. It was a holiday, we were at a hot spring, the place was packed, and I was the only white man. Fortunately I had the foresight to pop an Ativan. The old guys and the little boys stared. Most of the men there could have cared less. One guy did put his hand on the tattoo on the center of my back, I guess to see if he could wipe it off. I kind of jumped and yelled, and then laughed it off. Go. What do you have to lose?

[citizen erased]

[articulate_ink]

[Jimskins]

^

[potblackettle]

Hmm... I can say from the female perspective that going to sauna is great... but I think we might be a little less uncomfortable with the whole "let's all get naked" thing.

Make sure you shower before you get into any of the pools etc. A lot of saunas have massage pools, hot tubs, foot baths and actual saunas. Bring your own soap/shampoo/toothbrush etc. and bring a big size towel, all they give you is a tiny hand towel. Also, bring some cash to buy snacks/beer or toiletries at the little sauna store.

There's nothing like buying beer while you're butt-naked.

Also, don't be surprised if strangers offer to wash your back, they're not coming onto you, it's a common thing. I had an ajumma spin me around and scrub me down the first time I went... I must have had the "deer in the headlights" look.

Also, it may sound really strange, but Koreans tend to go to sauna in groups, either family or friends. I usually go with a couple of girlfriends. I can tell you there's nothing funnier than the look on peoples' faces when 5 naked foreigners walk in!

It's a little uncomfortable at first but once you realize everybody is naked and hanging out it's great. I at least a couple times a week. The first time is the hardest.

[mnhnhyouh]

I have only been a few times, and only to one place. Here is my experience.

At the door you take your shoes off and put them in a small locker, and take the key.

You go inside to the front desk and pay, and give them your shoe locker key, and they give you another key. This key is for a clothes locker, and is designed to wear around your arm or leg.

As you walk in you pick up a scrubbing towel, sort of a rough woven plastic cloth.

Go to the shower and scrub yourself down. Now is the time of most staring. Just close your eyes and give yourself a good cleaning. Best to give the other customers a full front and back view at this time, after they have satisfied their curiosity they will not bother you much anymore.

There is another section where you can do what my friend called detail work. Here you sit down on a small plastic stool in front of a mirror with a shower head on a hose and a plastic bowl. Clean your feet, toes ears etc. Many shave here (you can buy a razor on the way in).

Then it is off to the pools, and wet and dry saunas.

It is a great way to spend some hours.

Make sure you take your time in some cool water just before you leave, or you will still be hot and sweaty when you are changing into your clothes, which sort of defeats the purpose.

For some it is a little scary the first time, but after a while it is much fun. This reminds me I should find one near my new house.

h

[PeteJB]

And before the op panics, it's not unisex in the areas where you are naked.

[Hyeon Een]

[Hank the Iconoclast]

Saunas rock. I try to go to one once every week or every two weeks.

[Harpeau]

If you're really feeling adventurous, you can get a scrub defoliation massage by a guy working there for 10 or 11 thousand won. Takes about 20 min. or so. Very relaxing.

Need to know words like "apayoe" (painful); press harder ("sehgye he chuseyo").... It's very therapeutic.

[ciccone_youth]

[citizen erased]