Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Qinella]

I'm really getting fed up with it. If you don't know what I'm talking, then you need to check your hygiene, because I feel like this is about to kill me sometimes.

Some examples.

This past weekend, I walked into the old-person section of a crowded subway car. The back end was packed with ajeoshis (no old folks around). Immediately upon entering, I literally gagged. The stench cloud was so repulsive, it sucked my breath out and consumed it with wedged bits of kimchi.

So then yesterday I'm talking to my boss. God bless him, great guy, wonderful teacher, but his breath was about to knock me on the floor. He standing there aspirating every P and Wh as fiercely as though he was trying to whistle. This shot the rank smell right up into my nostrils. You know how smells can make you reminisce? Well, this smell carried me back about 6 hours to when I was getting on the elevator in my apartment. As I got on, there were three guys in business suits striding off. (They walked out in a huff, headed directly for the stairs adjacent to the elevator, then stood around looking confused.) Man, I stepped inside this lift and the cloud of bad breath was just as strong as if someone were breathing in my face! I couldn't believe it! How bad does your breath need to be that people can smell it even after your gone??

There was another time that I was on a long staircase in a subway station. This guy was a good 10 steps ahead of me, and his breath that was trailing behind was so pungent that I had to move, walking directly into the crowd of people walking down, just to avoid it. How is it possibe?!

What I can't understand is how it's always men. I never have this problem with ajummas. Maybe because the men tend to smoke and drink coffee after eating. Kimchi + Coffee + Cigarette = Freshness Crisis without a doubt.

[markhan]

[Qinella]

[Mashimaro]

My Japanese friend said she always struggled when she had to come to Seoul because she thought everyone smelt like kimchi.

[Ginormousaurus]

I hear ya, man. Ajossi breath is real and it's a problem. A really foul, acrid problem.

[charlieDD]

Thailand: Thai tour operator / tour guide experienced with groups from Japan, China, Korea, and Germany only: Quote "The Korean group always makes my bus really bad with smell."

He goes on to explain he thinks they eat a lot of garlic and smoke a lot. He airs the bus out while they are in a place touring or shopping. Says everyone knows this about the Korean tour groups and it's something they share as a kind of trade humor.

I assure him and he agrees it's not a hygiene thing; it's probably the kimchi and, like he said, the smoking.

Living in Korea, you get used to it after a while, but sometimes . . . like the OP says, . . it really can catch you off guard. The worst for me is on a packed bus, windows sealed, heat cranked, windows clouded with condensation. If you're claustrophobic, that overbearing cloud can be too much added to the mix.

[laogaiguk]

[brento1138]

Sometimes I get into a subway car or on a bus and can instantly smell that terrible breath-smell. But I warn all, ALL who read this message. It is not limited only to ajossis or adjumas. Young, beautiful, Korean girls are also capable of this horrid breath.

[Oreovictim]

I've noticed funky breath a lot over here with the locals. But then again look at the crap that you find at convenience stores. I see kids snacking on those bags of dried fish and squid. Oh yeah, I was at Buy the Way last week, and I saw chocolate flavored squid chips. I'd hate to kiss someone who has just eaten a bag of that crap.

[R-Seoul]

The bus first thing in the morning is the worst, i breathe through my mouth the whole way but it doesn't help much.
Agree that it's not just the old folk, I remember the first time i kissed a korean girl - wasn't quite the sensual experience I was hoping for.

I should mention that I rarely eat garlic because it doesn't agree with me. When i do i'm oblivious to most odours...

[Thunndarr]

Kimchi-breath, I swear to God, penetrates more quickly to the center of your brain than smelling-salts. They ought to hire out ajeoshis to NFL teams to revive unconscious players at games. Criminy.

[charlieDD]

I've heard that some Koreans, especially those who interact internationally a lot, consume. . chlorophyll tablets . . on a regular basis. Supposed to reduce the smell of kimchi, or other food odors, emanating from your body (breath and perspiration). Supposedly makes what comes out at the end of the digestion line smell not so bad either! Popular among Japanese women, who are conscientious about their toilet goings (ergo, the "electronic flushing sound" buttons - - which are starting to show up in Korea now.)

If only they would make chlorophyll-packed chewing gum as popular as the Xylitol stuff here !

[Qinella]

I used to take chlorophyll tablets, too. Can't remember exactly why, now, but something other than masking food smell, I'm sure.

About the young ladies having bad breath, of course it's possible. It's possible for anyone to have bad breath. I mean, sometimes I wake up in the morning and I'm walking around my apartment and smell something bad, and then realize it's my breath.

But see, what I'm talking about is the phenomenon of ajeoshis. It's almost guaranteed that they are going to have bad breath. If you walk into the subway and see a group of like 5 of them standing around talking, there is nearly a 100% likelihood that the smell emanating from them will knock you out. Try it some time.

[jajdude]

It's funny because it's true. The smell is only part of the package. The ajosshi is best avoided for that plus other reasons. He is not God's gift to the world, though he might tell you otherwise. You see them strut around like kings, and think, what fools they can be.

[Satori]