Korean Job Discussion Forums

coffeeman · Joined: 24 Nov 2005 Location: Korea

We take a lot of shots at Korea on this board. That's a natural part of adjusting to a new environment.

This time, I'd like us to turn the tables around to ourselves. What things do you prefer here in Korea to your home country (besides the women, okay?)?

Me? Well, I can think of two right away.

1) Free water - I know this sounds stupid but please hear me out. I love the fact that water in available in most public places and restaurants without charge. Back in North America, you have to almost beg a restaurant to give you a glass of water. Why? Because they want to sell you a Coke for $2. Why the hell would they even consider offering you a free glass of water when they're making so much money selling you drinks? Here in Korea, those filtered water machines are standard in every restaurant. They're even in most department stores complete with paper cups to drink from. Back home we have to carry plastic bottles of mineral water everywhere because it's such a rare thing to see a water fountain that actually works well.

2) Korean buses - The buses here are much roomier than the ones back home. I swear that they design those buses to hold as few people as possible making the rush hour rides very uncomfortable promting you to consider buying a car.

These deluxe long distance buses with the extra wide seats here are awesome too. I always thought that ridding the bus had to be a drag, but no! Back in North America, the long distance bus companies wouldn't dream of putting wide seats in their buses. Their greed drives then to charge as much as us poor people CAN pay and they want to rip off as many of us as possible, so we get narrow seats in order to cram as many people in the bus as possible. To top it off, the buses are rarely direct. They stop in two, three, four or more towns to pick up more passengers along the way.

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

I'm with you about the water. In an American restaurant, if you are brave enough to order water, what you get is tap water with a slimy lemon in it. That's stank nasty. I love drinking clean water, and I love the little metal cups.

One of my favorite features of Korea is the 24-hour availability of alcohol.

The food delivery situation is unquestionably superior. Also, no tipping was easy to get used to.

fatpat · Joined: 05 Oct 2005 Location: The bright lights of Namchang

I know my boyfriend loves being able to go out to the local convenience store about 30 seconds away from our front door to buy a bottle of cass at 3am. You certainly can't do that back in England. We also like renting videos for 50p, so cheap! Also other countless cheaper things such as gym membership. I like cheap stuff!

krats1976 · Joined: 14 May 2003

Teaching.

Col.Brandon · Joined: 09 Aug 2004 Location: Seoul

Low tax

JZer · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Location: South Korea

I like being able to go on vacation this month and still have $800 US to send back home. Who in America or Canada can save money and go on vacation in the same month!

pest1 · Joined: 09 Feb 2006 Location: Korea

I have to say the taxis. They might not be the best and most honest drivers, but they are so damn cheap. It is great you don't need to rely on driving to get around.

Ok I scratched my head for 5 minutes, there is nothing else I can think of.

Homer · Guest

Lets see..

Public baths and spas.

Food.

General kindness of strangers.

Taxis.

Public transit.

My job.

Family life.

JZer · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Location: South Korea

Homer wrote:

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

One of the major things for me is the relative absence of violence.

Where I come from random violence is commonplace. In a bar, walking the streets, at parties, at sporting events etc.

I really enjoy walking the streets of Seoul late at night knowing there is a negligible chance of being jumped by drunken arseholes.

sillywilly · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Canada.

I agree with taxies, baths and taxes.

Cheap clothes, gorgeous guys, soju, good job, nore bangs, the healthy and delicious food for dirt cheap, the relatively unfrightening teenagers, cheap flights to other Asian cities.

ChimpumCallao · Joined: 17 May 2005 Location: your mom

the subway...the ease of using all public transport...the fact that you can actually be in the downtown areas past 6pm without fear of death or gang-rape.

pest1 · Joined: 09 Feb 2006 Location: Korea

pest1 · Joined: 09 Feb 2006 Location: Korea

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

I like the food, it's pretty healthy and good.

I love the transportation (so far only Japan beats it from where I've been)

The people are extremely friendly to me all the time, helping me out on numerous occasions without me asking.

The salary is lower than what I would have been making back home, but throw in cost of living, taxes, and apartment, it's not by that much. And while I don't really know why, I seem to have much more spending power.

The hours at work are great (not to mention the vacation time).

I love the children.

I love feeling totally safe at anytime anywhere (except maybe Itaewon, though I have never been there late night, only from stories I've heard)