Korean Job Discussion Forums

dg611 · Joined: 11 Jun 2004

I have lived in Korea for 9 years...It happens once...I just blow it off ...it happens twice...I start to wonder....so I wonder if anyone else has had this experience:

Today, my wife received a call from our apartment manager (we live in a large apartment complex) to tell us/inform us (who the hell knows why) that our electric usage is higher than other people....the same thing happened last summer....but this time it seems worse....
I got this from my wife so its all hearsay and something could be lost in the translation but basically this guy went on about how the economy..blah blah blah...in korea we need to conserve energy...blah blah blah....try not to use too much....yadayadyayada....

What in the name of heaven and hell does this guy think he is doing....
this upset my wife because it is basically embarassing to have someone to call us and tell us our business like that....so now...even though we have been taking it easy on the A/C this season (not running it all night like before) my wife feels like we should not turn on our A/C for fear that this guy is going to harass us again.

Has anyone else out there had this experience? If so, can someone please tell me what the phunk is going on? Am I commiting some crime?

I know that if you use over a certain amount of electric...the per Kilowatt rate jumps up...but isn't that our business?

deessell · Joined: 08 Jun 2005

I turn it on as soon as I get home and sometimes I even forget to turn it off when I leave. I pay the bills so I determine when and for how long I have it on. It's no one elses business, I would ignore the old bugger.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

JongnoGuru · Joined: 25 May 2004 Location: peeing on your doorstep

The building manager isn't making a personal decision to harrass you. He is simply following government policy by hectoring you. You know -- "Let's Use Less Energy! Turn off your A/C!" or "We Love Labour!" or "Dokdo is Our Land!"... Like that. Whatever he may claim, he is probably be making the same phone calls to your neighbours.

On the other hand, it could be that he's been offered some incentive or received some pressure from above/outside to reduce the overall electricity consumption of his apartment complex. If this is the case, I can easily see where he would take it personally and keep a close eye on your usage month to month. I doesn't matter to him or the government that you're paying for what you use, they want you to get in line. Since significantly higher bills don't seem to be doing the trick, then perhaps a little phone harrassment will. They've got you in their sights.

Gosh, another reason I don't miss apartment living. Whaddaya know Rolling Eyes

chiaa · Joined: 23 Aug 2003

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

I'd tell him to screw off...it's MY MONEY! Don't tell me how to spend my money! I pay for the electric! Piss off!
I also tell him...Why don't you go and spend some money in a room saloon why don't you?
Wasting money?!?!
Let's see...love hotels...room salons...barber shops....RLD's....massage joints....coffee shop girls....golf courses.....PC rooms....
Wasting money?!?!

JongnoGuru · Joined: 25 May 2004 Location: peeing on your doorstep

Chiaa, Hellofa... I'm sure you two aren't attacking me for surmising what's driving apartment managers to hector their tenants. But let me take your comments one by one here. First, they don't need to open anyone's mail -- the apartment management office is the place that generates these bills, so they already know how much electricity each unit is consuming. No mail tampering going on here. Second, this is not about private-sector consumption in general, but about the nation's oil imports. You can expect these campaigns to get shriller and the hectoring to get more obtrusive the longer oil prices remain high.

Really, this is so old-hat for some of us. Like the intercom speakers in the apartments with a single volume setting: Super Loud. And according to two friends, they used to come by and check to make sure you hadn't disconnected it. Downright North Korean if you ask the Guru.

pet lover · Joined: 02 Jan 2004 Location: not in Seoul

I would LOVE to leave my windows open all the time, when I'm not here and when I'm asleep. However, since the freaky government sees fit to send trucks through my neighborhood spewing toxic fumes without any kind of prior warning, I really have no choice but to leave the a/c on ALL THE BEEPING TIME! I'm a heavy sleeper and did NOT wake up when the truck went through at 6:00 am in the morning (my neighbor told me later). When I'm not home, my dogs are not capable of shutting all the windows when the truck goes by. I don't want them breathing that crap and I don't want it in my house, on my food, my bedding, my herbs, etc. Until the GOVERNMENT gets itself in line, NOBODY better ever say a WORD to me about how much a/c I use.

That's how I feel about it.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

Your wife is married, so technically she is an ajumma. I think it's time for her to step up to the ajumma plate and assert herself--politely but firmly--the next time he calls. Or maybe pay him a visit with a jar of kimchi and a lecture.

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

I don't want to speak too quickly, but has this summer not been as hot as it could be? Yesterday was actually chilly. Today looked like it was going to be hotter but it's still pretty mild. Many nights I've not even turned on my a/c. Just clicked on a couple fans to blow on me.

Maybe I'm just getting old. Ever notice your ancient parents never seem to turn the a/c on when you seem to be sweating? Maybe this is one of those signs of age:

- you don't notice your apartment is 30c

- your car's fuel gage is never below 3/4 a tank

- bank balances bank balances!

- going to bed Friday at 11 pm seems like such a treat

- music starts to sound boring and repetitious and you can't figure out what the hell kids are into

- mmmmmmm an upscale housewares department gives you a woody

- you're cranky all the time

Gollum · Joined: 04 Sep 2003 Location: Japan

Tell him you'll run your aircon as much as you like. And tell him to stop bothering you, and remind him it isn't his place to be a pest about it.

Wangja · Joined: 17 May 2004 Location: Seoul, Yongsan

JongnoGuru · Joined: 25 May 2004 Location: peeing on your doorstep

Finally connected the A/C in the new place yesterday and turned it on for half an hour. Just to make sure it works and to see how quickly it cools the rooms. Prior to the move, I only had it on twice this year (in June). A relatively small increase in elevation (up the mountainside) seems to have a dramatic effect on temperature and, I hope, A/C usage. But then I'll probably have higher heating bills in winter.

Mosquitos are definitely getting to be a problem, though.

Cedar · Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 5:51 am Post subject:

We have an AC, I never use it, my roommate may have turned it on once or twice, but knows to have it off before I'll get home. But I don't think she has, either. AC is bad for you.

I_Am_Wrong · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: whatever

it's your money...when all the resources are gone you can have fun eating that too. It may be your money but it's everyone's responsibilty to do their part. I try to keep the air conditioner to a minimum...open the windows, drink lots of water and you're fine. But, then again....I'm one of those fags that doesn't flush piss down the toilet and composts....