 | Seoul Customs & Oddities Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 57 |  |
 | |  |  | Customs & Oddities: The Asian Style Toilet | Tip Rating:   |  |  | |  |
If you have read my other pages, you have probably seen this already, if not, pay attention. It just may save your life! For the uninitiated, the Asian style toilet is supposed to be more sanitary than the western ones. However they are a little confusing to the savages from the west. So, here is a little primer on the privies of the far east. Most importantly, bring toilet paper and towels with you as they are not always provided in public facilities! The other thing to remember is that some places charge for use of their facilities, so bring change otherwise you may be on the outside looking in. This is especially true in Japan, not so much in Korea, although some places do. First thing to know, the front of the toilet is the raised curved part below the tank in the picture here. You stand with legs on either side of the basin and drop your pants around your knees. Next, you squat over the basin, and go about business, making sure to keep your balance while you do. The next part is the trickiest, to flush the paper or not. There is some debate over this. Many Asian style toilets will have a small trash can next to them with a plastic bag in them, I have been told this is where you place the soiled paper. But I have also seen ones that don't have this little can. If that is the case, I have assumed that it is ok to flush the toilet paper there. I am waiting for someone with more experience to correct me on this, so far none have. If you are in some places in Asia, there may be a pair of slippers outside the door. This is so you don't dirty your own shoes, or in case you are in your socks. If you are at the home of a person who has an Asian style toilet, don't be afraid to ask them how to use one, it is not uncommon, and you won't lose face for doing so. For further instruction, see the web page linked below for general instructions. Lastly, public toilets are very hard to find in Korea. The key word to know is Hwajongshil. Most of the locals can point you in the right direction from there. Leave a Comment Website: http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~AD8Y-HYS/movie.htm
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| | | | Customs & Oddities: Hangul: The Korean Script. | Tip Rating: | | | | |
One of the coolest things about this country is its script, Hangul. Could you imagine if Korea still used only Hanja (chinese script), oh life would be difficult. Anyway some guff: Hangul script is attributed to King Sejeong (the fourth King of the Lee/Choson Dynasty). And by decree it became the 'Script of Korea' in 1440. But because of the Yang Bang (Noble) class the script was only adopted by the lower or common classes. The noble classes continued to take those long winded chinese confucianist exams, and learn chinese calligraphy, and poetry etc ad nauseum. Perhaps You could say I am too egalitarian for my own good, but this was done to reinforce the chasm between noble and common, Just like the use of French and Latin in Medieval England. What is amazing about the Hangul script (called Choson Muntcha in North Korea) is that it is soooooo easy to learn and use. It contains only 24 letters (14 consonants and 10 vowels) so learning it is easy. It is used like the Latin alphabet, with letters in combination. And what is more, it is phonetic. So how the word is written EXACTLY how the word is pronounced (an Improvement on the latin alphabet). It is is possible to learn this alphabet in a week, and once you can read hangul, have the battle is won.... You can navigate, find the toilet, read the menu, and begin to learn the Korean language (Hankuk Mal) word by word on your own.. NOW HOW COOL IS THAT. Oh By the way, The Korean people still use Chinese characters too.. :o( (Its called Hanja). Because some words descend directly from the yangbang (noble) class, some of these words can be interchanged some can't. For instance the common word for 'Person' is 'Saram' (a Korean word) but if you write in using the Chinese (Hanja) character the same word is said 'In'.. which is distinctly korean pronunciation, but it is used similarly in Japan and China. ie. 'In' Korean and 'Rin' Mandarin. Hmmmmm! Leave a Comment
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| | | | Customs & Oddities: Don't speak in Japanese in Korea... | Tip Rating: | | | | |
For the whole half month I was in Seoul, I was a Japanese . Can you blame me for mistaking my own nationality when I was constantly bowed at and spoken to in Japanese? (My hubby, on the other hand, was constantly mistaken for a local but more of that later.) After the 1000th time, I got sick of saying, " Watashiwa Shingapooru-jin desu..." ( I'm a Singaporean, you daft prick ). I decided to play the part and shout to my hapless spouse in Japanese, " Hayaku!!" (Hurry up you slow poke! ) while he whined , "Matte" ( Wait for me you ***! ). Big mistake, while speaking in Japanese earned 90deg bows, the stall holders immediately pricked their ears and chose to raise their prices for me since they have a rumoured dislike for the Japanese tourist. Who could blame them? Afterall, their country was annexed for a good many years. It's like a mini-revenge of all sorts as their former masters now return as guillible tourists.. Leave a Comment
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| | | | Customs & Oddities: When in Seoul or South Korea,... | Tip Rating:  | | | | |
When in Seoul or South Korea, always remember to take off your shoes when entering someone's home. Also, never putyour chopsticks in your rice so that they are sticking up out of your bowl as this is considered very rude. Do not put money down on a counter...put it in the other person's hands, preferably using 2 hands. And if by chance you need to write someone's name....never do it in red ink! This means that you wish them harm! Travelling in Seoul is relatively safe. People there don't vandalize and aren't into theft, but be careful just the same. The major inconvenience I experienced when living there, was being followed at night by drunken men! I think it is more of a curiosity than anything, but girls travelling alone shoudl be careful. Oh yes, and be prepared to be stared at (A LOT) if you are not of Korean descent!!! Staring there is not rude, so expect it! And be prepared to get pushed and shoved, especially in crowded subways....shoving is not rude....it's a means of getting by people! So don't take offence! Leave a Comment
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