Korean Job Discussion Forums

happeningthang · Joined: 26 Apr 2003

Hey all,

I'm flying in to Donghae (Eastern Coast), and into a Korean winter.

Being a sun drenched Australian I have no idea about coping with the bleep cold I've been told I'm about to experience. Rumor has it, it can get to -18C!!! Is that for prolonged periods, or a one off freak occurence?

I guess what I'm asking is just how cold does it get, and for how long? And what the hell do you wear so that you can still function in comfort?

I've been looking at getting a serious jacket, and thermals, but do I need snow pants? Serious boots? Battery warmed socks?

People when I say NO idea about real cold and how to deal with it I AM NOT JOKING!!

A little help here?

Thanks

Edited once by Harpeau, 6:31pm Sat. Nov. 27, 2003.

kiwiboy_nz_99 · Joined: 05 Jul 2003 Location: ...Enlightenment...

It gets cold

Bulsajo · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

There's a Korean saying "3 days cold, 4 days warm" or something to that effect to describe the winter weather.
I can't speak for the East Coast in particular, but the Seoul area is generally around or just under the zero degree mark BUT punctuated with regular periods of Mongolian wind that can bring the temperature to -18 (or lower) with the windchill. As a Canada boy I found the winter to be milder than what I was used to but SOME DAYS I felt like I was back home.

Also bear in mind that many older buildings don't use central heating so at work you may be huddling near an oil or electric heater. Luckily this is not the case with most apartments- the Korean style of heating dwellings (ondol) keeps everything nice and toasty.

osangrl · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Location: osan

Being from Ottawa......I can easily say its not cold. However, its true that there are some just awfully bone chilling days. I remember last year there was like 3 where one could barely leave the house. I didn't. Except once to get some ice cream. Rolling Eyes

Bulsajo · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

I'm from Ottawa as well, and there were more than a few days- according to the weather on MSN- where Seoul was actually colder than Ottawa! Now back in Ottawa, I found the temps here this summer to be hotter than Seoul! I just can't win...

[And remember, the OP is from Australia and I would imagine has a different concept of cold than someone from Canada.]

canuckistan · Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2003 5:44 pm Post subject:

Don't know what it is about the Outaouais valley, but it's always seemed colder than MTL!

ratslash · Joined: 08 May 2003

it is just that bloody wind! if it wasn't for the wind it would be ok, not too harsh. when that wind blows straight off the siberian plains then it it will drop, it can drop, to minus 15-----. i came from sydney in january. plus 30 to minus 10 in ten hours. not good!

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

happeningthang · Joined: 26 Apr 2003

Hey thanks again for all the help people. Especially you KiwiBoy! (Love your work mate Wink

)

But that's excellent advice I'm off to Paddy Pallins to stock up to avoid being dissapointed at the sizes on offer in Korea.

Cheers

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

I'm a sun-drenched Australian as well near Brisbane where the coldest it ever got was 2 degrees(i mean that is EVER for the MINIMUM NIGHT temp). Anyway, too me here is frigging freezing. Anything below zero and I just dress like an Eskimo. The thing is though i have grown to love the cold a like seeing if I can hack it. BRING IT ON!!!!

weatherman · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: Korea

As we all know all weather is reality to what you grew up with or have lived with for a long time. When I first came to Korea, I thought the winters mild. Now I find them cold. As a general rule, Korea doesn't really have that cold of winters except the mountains in Kangwon-do. That said, the winters seem to be damp, and this dampness can really get down to your bones. So yeah, Korea is cold, but it is a different kind of cold, at least then what I am used to. Dress warmly!

mithridates · Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2003 7:16 am Post subject:

I am of the opinion that any (almost any) winter can be withstood if one's house and workplace is nice and warm. Buy a trenchcoat that stops the wind well, use a scarf, and if going for a long walk buy a can of hot tea to put inside, and perhaps another to drink as well.
Another good idea is to pretend that you're a fierce viking and that nothing feels better then to get a good blast of wind from the north (I'm actually not joking).

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

I'm from auckland. It's cold. Very cold, but most places have heating thank god.

CLg

Holyjoe · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Location: Away for a cuppa

I'd much rather endure cold weather than hot weather - it's a lot easier to warm yourself up than to cool yourself down. Smile

Clutch Cargo · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Location: Sim City 2005