Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Bubbliee]

here is a great question for you all, how long does it take to adjust to the humidity? Where I am right now, Kelowna BC Canada the heat is very very dry. I know that adjusting to the humidity is going to be quite the challenge. I expect the humidity makes one quite sweaty and sticky. I know many asian people don't seem to have these problems with the humidity (a few I know don't even know what deoderant is). So for all you westerners, how long did it take before your body stopped constantly producing litres of sweat? Or does the adjustment never happen? I will be arriving in Seoul about the 28th of August and I am a wee bit worried about wrecking a lot of my clothes.

[BTM]

Short answer : never, for most people, I think. I come from North Central BC, where it's cold and dry, and have spent probably 4 years of that last 15 living in the tropics, and have never really gotten comfortable in the hot hot wet heat, unless I'm drinking beer, which is always an option. Korea isn't the tropics, of course, but it's near-enough-dammit in the summer. You stop noticing after a while, but I don't think you ever entirely adjust.

But you're looking at the last 3 or 4 weeks of real heat at that point, or less depending on the weather this year (it's been a hot one so far), so I wouldn't worry about it too much.

[Kiddirts]

it's not the humidity, but the pollution that takes time to adjust to.

[crazylemongirl]

not gonna happen. Also koreans sweat like no tomorrow, my gym has no air con and the non anti-perspirant koreans look like they've just stepped out of the shower after a workout.


also try this thread
CLG

[Emma Clare]

I've been here for 3 weeks and I come from the UK (max 30C in the summer and dry heat) I shower 2-3 times a day, and about 2 minutes after I dress I feel icky again. I figure it's good for your skin! Just bring along a good deodorant and make sure you have a couple of fans handy. The kids here sweat like anything, only after an hour of charging around playing basketball they don't get a bright red face like I do!

[Wishmaster]

Luckily, you will miss the majority of the humid season. However, you will certainly feel it next year. The sweat thing is part of the game here. After walking for about 10 minutes outside, I look just like Jimmy Page after doing a Led Zeppelin concert..............................................

[little mixed girl]

.....

[William Beckerson]

You dont get used to it.

You just hope you dont smell bad and that September will get here ASAP

[Gord]

I shipped over from Penticton, so it's pretty much the same climate as Kelowna. When I stepped off the plane, I hit a magical wall.

The wall is still there, every day.

Luckily clothes are pretty cheap in Korea.

[Corvid]

An attempt to be a little more positive: I grew up in Georgia, very humid, but I've lived in Oregon for most of the last 20 years, very dry. Anyway, when I was growing up, it wasn't like I was comfortable in the heat and humidity. It usually blew, and us Georgians would seek the comfort of someplace airconditioned. Same here. You don't "get used to it", but after a while you can learn to bear it. At least, in the month I've been here, I've been able to resign myself to the discomfort and get to sleep somehow.

[kiwiboy_nz_99]

You must insist your Hagwon gets you aircon in your room, fans are no bloody good for sleeping ...

...and you want the finest cotton shirts/blouses you can get, white is best color ...

...that's it ... oh and did I mention that the fish here can breath out of water?...