Korean Job Discussion Forums

charlieDD · Joined: 16 Jun 2006 Location: Seoul, Korea

I've posted about this in the other PA (public address) thread, but I think it deserves a thread of its own:

Why does a school master need to have a voice so loud that everyone in a ten-block radius can hear him making morning announcements, leading the kids through exercises, admonishing the kids, etc.? ( Not to mention the music his PA system blares out.)

Is it a power trip? "I am the almighty school master." Does he (sometimes she) need to overpower the students with decibels to make it clear who the boss is?

It makes me think of the Wizard of Oz. "Pay no attention kids to the man behind the curtain!"

To newbies: If you want your peace in the mornings, don't take an apartment or room anywhere within a few blocks of an elementary, middle or high school ! This blaring can start as early as 6:30 a.m. at some schools. And sometimes it goes on late into the evening / early morning hours when the school has some kind of event, like the kids camping out on the grounds for a night. ( Yeah, literally camping out - - tents, gear, campfire, the whole works!)

Occasionally a local group will get use of the grounds for their own event and drunkened aujulshis will have the microphone all day all night. Had a friend who lived by one that allowed a local " sal moo lal lee" (traditional Korean musical band of sorts) group practice there one night a week, starting around 8:00 p.m. and going to midnight usually.

Mad

caniff · Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Location: All over the map

My first apartment in Korea was directly next to a high school.

7:45, 8:00, and 8:15 (except Sundays) was heralded by the blaring sound of "jingle bells" sans vocals.

I still have a conniption whenever I hear that song. The Christmas season is particularly difficult for me.

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

Koreans have a remarkable immunity to noise pollution. Blaring loud speakers outside department stores, shop openings with mini-skirted cheerleader-types gyrating in the cold, the produce man at the supermarket shouting about the bananas...

An investment in portable earplugs would not be a waste of money.