It’s been 88 days, 5 hours, 40 minutes and 10 seconds (at the time of writing this post) since we landed our feet at World’s best voted Airport – The Incheon International Airport in Seoul. Ever since then Korea has just amazed me, surprised me and intrigued me. Even though it has been a good experience I’ll try to sum up how I survived in Korea. No offences meant to any Korean who happen to read my blog.
1) Google is my friend: Language barrier would be something which you worry of when travelling to other countries. I too had my ordeal here which wasn’t as good as expected. During my stint in Korea I had to work with my Korean colleague who can barely speak or understand English. Many a times she looked at me like I was speaking in some strange alien tongue. Boy I had a hard time conversing with her in the beginning. I’ve tried all ways in the book from the primitive communication methods to sign languages.
Then as lightening, an idea crossed my mind. I opened the Internet browser and typed in Google Translate and moments later we were talking through Google Translate! Pat on the back…Google! Saved the day!
2) Touchy Toilet: And you thought Korea is only advanced as its Internet network or their mobile technologies…think again. When I was first introduced to the toilet in my apartment I was confused and intrigued at the same time. A toilet with electronic touch button controls? Wow now that’s what I call technology, however, it took me some time to figure out how all the controls work. I still don’t know what the buttons in Korean words do? Eject you from the seat…? hehe. The toilet features are just stupefying
- When you rest your em… err butt on it, it detects that you have sat on the toilet seat and starts the toilet seat heater. You can adjust this temperature or turn it off in summer.
- When you are done you press one button for the bidet. For this too you can adjust the water temperature. Want it hot or cold to wash?
- Another bidet button for smaller butts…err I mean the kids.
- Guess what there’s a button to blow dry our butts too!
- Some more buttons in Korean but couldn’t figure out what it does.
I wonder what would be the next step in the evolution of toilets in Korea… A toilet which can analyze your poop and sends message through Wi-Fi to refrigerator to control what foods you should be eating? Nice innovative idea…huh?
3) How much for this one? Once we were in the local vegetable and fish market. I was checking out some ginger and asked the lady “How much for this one?” As expected it took me some time and patience to explain what I am asking for. “Shex” was the answer (honestly it sounded like sex)… I paused and questioned “sex?” My friend poked me. “Six”… Shit I should have guessed it. Now was it 600 Won or 6000 Won? Again we did some hand signals, waved some currency notes and then she understood. Oh it was 6000 Won. Oh my God I never used too much brains to buy some stuff before!!
4) Mirror Mirror in the Toilet: I must admit that I have been the one among my mates who has used public toilets (WC) the most – in malls, train stations, almost everywhere… eh stomach issues you know. So while I was leisurely answering nature’s call I happened to look at the mirror on the toilet door. I wondered why the mirror must be there. Would it be there for you to see your face expressions when you relieve pressure? Haha… I tried making some faces to see how I’d look doing that. 😀
5) Office seating arrangement: Akin to the Japanese, the typical Korean office culture entails you to be in office from dawn to dusk sometimes even up to midnight! This is even true for seniority in office/department. Juniors shall not leave office before their seniors do. And did I tell you about the seating arrangement? It’s like a typical classroom. More information and sketches on my friend Deepak’s blog post. I just hated my seat. Anyone could peep into my comp.
6) Brushing teeth is a social activity: Every time I used the office washroom in the morning or after lunch I am greeted with a long queue. As if the whole office has gathered for the social brushing activity! Many a times I have had to restrain my urge to use the washroom. Damn it. LG, P&G and Perioe (local oral care company) must be rolling in millions of dollars every year!!
7) Same sex nudity is OK: Yes… but only in gender segregated public bathhouses… or “Jjimjilbang” (I always have difficulty pronouncing Korean places so I give up and just enjoy the place. With difficulty I learned that it is pronounced Jim-jil-bang)as they call it in Korea. We were initially hesitant but tried it once in Seoul and liked it so much that we went there again on our next trip to Seoul. But if you are too coy about your modesty (like my friend Shera – name changed to protect identity :-D) and happen to wear your underwear inside the bathhouse you are sure to receive cold stares!
Kiasu Minds... 