Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Wrench]

Ok I don't know about any one else but Koreans reek.

They are some of the foulest smelling people on earth. Every time I get on the subway or a bus I want to vomit the BO is horrid. What makes Koreans not use pit stick or perfumes to cover up their foul BO? Its not just men either the women stink as well. I rather walk for 40 minutes then ride on a bus or a subway just so I don't get sick from the stench.

[Hollywoodaction]

Not really. Especially not on the subway. Maybe in a classroom where the boys play basketball during lunchtime and don't shower, but that's pretty much the same everywhere. But, you do get the odd ajumah that smells like chonggukjang or the old drunkard who hasn't bathed or changed clothes in months when you ride an inter-city bus in the provinces. Still beats having to deal with junkies and tweakers back home, though.

[HapKi]

To the OP, you're just plain wrong, in my opinion.

[chronicpride]

[Qinella]

Never noticed.

However, I have noticed that white people smell like wet dogs.

[itaewonguy]

the koreans stink becuase its AJOSIS reeking of SOJU and and its sweating out! you are right tho! they do really stink!
its not that they dont shower! its the booze and food coming out!

[Big Mac]

I've never smelled BO on the subway. I know Koreans don't wear deodorant, but in my opinion they don't really need to.

Once in a while you catch a whiff of kimchi breath or some old ajoshi that reeks of soju but that's about it.

[J.B. Clamence]

I don't think Koreans usually stink. The only foul odors I smell are certain foods, and by a particular time of evening it seems that every older guy reeks of soju. But no BO.

If you think they are the foulest smelling people on earth, you have obviously never been to Russia or Eastern Europe. Peeeeeyuuuuuu!

[JongnoGuru]

Koreans stink, do they?


Wrench? It's none of my business, but I'm curious how long you see yourself staying in Korea. I know this sounds like I'm putting you down, or I'm laying the typical "If you don't like it here, then leave!" cheap-shot line on you. That's not it at all. Believe me when I say that's neither my intention nor my style. If you and I were pals and you were telling me these things, I'd be asking you the same questions: "What's keeping you here in Korea?" and, "Where would you like to be?"

[Bulsajo]

[Cheonmunka]

Should I know be angry that you managed to include my wife on there and that she stinks?
Maybe she does, but if you can't stand the smell, get lost.
There's nothing to keep you here, messing with your nasal sensitivities.

If I go to the (Pacific) islands do I say that everyone smells and they should get off my island?

You smell. You post stinks.

[kangnam mafioso]

i think the op is going through culture shock and confusing the smell of garlic/kimchee/soju with body odor from lack of hygene.

koreans are clean people (notice the sauna on every corner) and have less body odor than westerners -- which explains why they don't need deoderant (some of them).

get on the subway in new york city in summer. i would choose the seoul subway any day.

[peppermint]

The only time I've noticed a genunine BO smell from a Korean is when I've managed to convince the kids that it's okay to remove their coats in the classroom in winter.

[bellum99]

There is an odor. It is not easily noticed but everyone sweats. The food you eat affects the smell but I have noticed it. Usually in the summer when I am sweating buckets (with pit stick) they also smell terrible. On a bus in the summer there is a real smell in the bus and it isn't me .

[endofthewor1d]