Korean Job Discussion Forums

[michaelambling]

As an American who's lived outside of America for over 7 years, I'm confused at the American's OBSESSION with bad smells. I've been staying with my family for the past month, and a favorite topic of conversation is bad smells. Also, this seems to be an obsession on this website. The smell of kimchi is a constant gripe (for reasons beyond me, tbh), and an obsession with deodorant and city smells permeates (if I may) the threads on this board.

In Europe, I heard few complaints about smells, and I have taken on that general indifference towards bad smells. Open sewers, festering garbage, and people who don't shower for weeks on end are, of course, exception and worth commenting on, but Americans seem to complain about things that don't smell very strong, like kimchi, grilled onions, etc.

Why is the American nose more sensitive than other noses?

And no, I'm not trolling. Please don't be offended--I say this as an American trying to understand my own culture.

[samcheokguy]

uh...cause we are used to a sanitary enviroment, where smelling bad is instant social death.

[Ya-ta Boy]

We come from a country that even adds perfume to toilet paper.

[Chet Wautlands]

I'm a Canadian. I've never lived in Europe, but I've lived in west Africa and Korea and I can say that Canada generally doesn't smell at all. In Africa and Korea I would always notice new and interesting odours.

Now, maybe it's just that I'm used to the smells in Canada, but I find that walking down a street in Korea gives the nose a lot of exericse. Not always bad smells.

[Goku]

I think Americans and Candians have this issue becuase they aren't used to it. America and Canda has plenty of "Space" so they can remove things like food waste in garbage bins far away. Also, that says alot about personal space. In crowded areas of Korea (and parts of Europe) you can only get 2 feet away. Also, these cultures are what are called "close" cultures. Personal space is not an issue here. People aren't concious of their breath all the time and they expect you won't mind. It's only Americans and Candians who aren't used to it because they prefer things far. Europeans don't mind either because they are closer people.

Korea is really tight on space much as other cities so you get a plethora of smells both from humans and food waste.

[Koveras]

North americans like to whine?

[Panda]

Each city smells different.

Korean streets smell like 된장 (Korean soybean paste)

Korean old people smell like Samgeopsal in the evening

[Kuros]

[browneyedgirl]

I was going to write something about a smelly French roommate I had in college, but I'm afraid it would be taken the wrong way, so never mind.

[MissT]

[michaelambling]

[Rae]

[santafly]

Dude, korea smells like shiit! I have also traveled all over the world - almost 4 years in total now on 4 continents - plenty of 3rd world countries -and none of them have smelled like this. It smells bad most of the time outside in downtown Seoul. When I walk out of my apartment it is like being hit with a wall of vomit and sewage, sometimes it makes me gag.

Yes, America does not smell bad - actually, most of America smells good -like pine trees, freshly cut grass, desert rain (clean), cut wood, flowers, earth, whatever...

but that's not the point, the point is that even a place like Kathmandu with open sewers (careful not to step in) and burning garbage doesn't smell like Korea - and these are not food smells because I eat tons of Kimchi, garlic and fish. I teach adults - salarymen - they either don't smell or: they smell like they drank bad coffee and lots of soju, ate nothing but kimchi and squid, then puked and shiit on themselves and didn't change their clothing for a week (the part about not changing their clothing is actuall true), then sat in a suana for a couple hors before coming to my class. Why do you think Koreans are so obsessed with brushing their teeth (for 10 mintues in the bathroom at my office building).

[ernie]

korean bathrooms are appalling. and i'm not talking about bars at 5am. i'm talking about bathrooms in airports, schools, and upscale restaurants. even immediately after being 'cleaned', it smells like something died in there! oh wait, cleaning requires soap and some kind of mechanical scrubbing, not simply getting the whole place dripping wet.

[VanIslander]

Korea stinks!

even if one likes the place otherwise

it is a hub, the armpit of Asia

(though I hear India is the crotch)