 | Seoul Tourist Traps | Tips 1 - 10 of 68 |  |
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This is a little weird. In the last 2 days two fortune tellers have approached me and my Korean friend (one each). One came to my work. This guy was from Punjab/india and he just came to our office, gave his card to our receptionist and asked to see the CEO. Since our CEO is not 100% in the English department (and busy most of the time) I was asked to see this guy. Now, keep in mind, his card said nothing about being a seer. As soon as I sat down he said he was into astrology and could tell me if my life/love/career would be good or whatever. I dismissed him...no time to spend on this kind of thing. Another, a Thai guy, couldn't even speak English well, let alone Korean. He approached my friend in the street--they were both wearing suits. He asked if my friend spoke English and then started to say how my friend would have such a good career and everything. Then he brought out his wallet and said he was on his way to Hong Kong (!??) and my friend gave him 1,000 won (USD 0.80) as a token. The Thai guy says, "Hey, I'm not a begger!" What the heck is that about?
I know that some people come here for Korean fortune telling (most Koreans do this just before marriage to ensure the stars are in alignment) but it's mostly a Christian country here (and fortune tellers are verboten/forbidden according to the Bible). I have no idea what these guys were doing here--at least speak the languageand have some benefit statement instead of showing up expecting a good reception. If you come across these guys do what you like...they seem harmless, if annoying to some. Leave a Comment
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| | | | Language Barrier | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Although people will try their best to help you out and many approach you out of the blue while sitting in the subway or standing at a crossing, the fact that Koreans have a big lack of knowledge in any kind of foreign language might definitely cause a problem to you: No English menus (even at many McDonald's, Burger King, etc.), no English signboards (except of course for the subway and designated tourist hot-spots), no English-speaking taxi-drivers (translation-service via intercom required)... it makes life slightly complicated, especially if you are looking for some less touristy and more Korean-style locations.
Go to one of the many Tourist Information booths, get a good map and ask as many questions as possible. The ladies at the TIs are usually very friendly and will mark you specific locations directly on the map. If you like to go to somewhere specific, let them write down the address in Korean, so you simply need to show the taxi driver where you wanna go to. Beware, however, that the taxi drivers usually know the various districts (GUs and DONGs) but are usually unable to find specific addresses (mainly due to the very confusing street system of Korea, which only postmen tend to understand). In this case, it might be best to let them drive you close to the spot you intend to go to and ask your way through.
a) Be adventurous and explore the places on foot and, in case of restaurants, just try to point on something that looks delicious to you. b) Learn the Hangeul - the Korean alphabet. It's less difficult than it looks like but will help you a great deal. Leave a Comment
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| | | | Itaewon: Mafia Stuff In Itaewon. | Tip Rating:  | | | | |
I normally feel pretty safe in Seoul, even in Itaewon. Rarely if ever do I put myself in a position to find trouble, and even less often do I go out looking for it. That's not to say that it doesn't happen though. Itaewon can be a lot of fun, but there is also a bit of risk if you are all alone. Take for example my Russian Mafia story from my 2001 trip. I was coming back from having my Bulgogi Pizza at the Pizza Hut in Itaewon and decided to walk some of it off. I figured I would walk down to the Hanvit Bank and catch a taxi home. Instead, I was cornered by some Russian men who (very persuasively) insisted that I join them upstairs at a strip club with real Korean women. I was escorted up a large amount of stairs by four very large men and made to pay a cover charge. Soon, I was in a dark room with two other men who looked scared to death. All three of us were at tables far apart from each other, and a group of russian women were all seated in a corner. Not sure why, but a record was put on, and they took turns going over to a shower curtain where they would change into a bathing suit and then to a small platform where they would gyrate for a few minutes to the music.
To continue the story. This continued for about an hour as bills for beer and a plate of fruit I never ordered appeared. Finally a young Korean woman showed up, shaked herself in a bathing suit and flirted with the Russian guys. I made a dash for the restroom and left when the coast was clear (naturally leaving the bills paid for, so as not to incur the wrath of these guys.) In short, if you see a bunch of men grouped together and trying to get people to go into a building, give them a wide path. Also, try not to make eye contact and just keep going in the direction you were, without stopping. If this doesn't work, not sure what to tell ya. But I would avoid be persuaded to go into strange buildings with large groups of strange people who apply pressure to you.
For the most part, I found Itaewon to be a safe place to hang out. And if you were there with locals, or groups of people you won't have any trouble. Best alternative is not to go around alone, but if that isn't possible, just keep you eyes open and avoid anything suspicious. Leave a Comment
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Not necessarily a tourist trap but definitely worth mentioning: At least 80% of the food you order is spicy! Koreans love to eat spicy food. They actually grow up eating spicy food and most of the time, they don't even realize it's spicy until a non-accustomed foreigner tells them it is. Ok, then I just need to avoid Korean food, right? Wrong! The real tourist trap is the fact that you can never be sure whether the food you order is not somewhat localized, i.e. spicy! I had several encounters with so-called "authentic" cuisines: Italian spaghetti, German sausage and potatoes, Chinese sweet & sour, Japanese Udong... things that usually aren't spicy in the original places. However, all of the above were extremely spicy in Korea!!! It's not always like that but I suggest to (always!) ask beforehand whether the dish is spicy or not... you won't regret it. For those of you who love eating spicy food: Korea will be just like paradise! Leave a Comment
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Excuse me, could you please take a picture of me? I really don't know the reason for this tourist trap and I don't think it's only related to Koreans. In Hong Kong I had very similar experiences. Nevertheless, it must be warned that most Koreans will have a big problem with taking decent pictures of you, i.e. get your body in the middle of the frame. In most cases, people will cut off your legs and take an awful lot of background sky or wall in... Interestingly, within my three years in Korea, I experienced it countless of times... but... it somehow only happened with locals. Whenever I asked some American, Australian or European guy to take a pic of me, the shot was clearly centered, whole body in the frame, similar ratio between upper and lower edge. Whenever I asked a local, however, in most cases the lower edge became my upper thigh and the upper edge a hell lot of background. Sorry folks, but that's what I experienced!!! Why do I mention it now? Because I just had another experience of that kind and finally decided to put it into VT. Interesting, quite disturbing but really true... try for yourself!
I suggest to try to explain excatly HOW you would like to have the shot taken and do NOT rely on (your) common sense! Leave a Comment
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| | | | Drinking culture | Tip Rating: | | | | |
If you enjoy drinking... drinking a lot... please ignore the trap. This tip is for those who do not really enjoy drinking their heads off and simply like to enjoy a nice and relaxed dinner together. Korea has a very heavy and notorious drinking culture. In fact, last year was supposed to be the year with the highest recordings in alcohol consumption in Korea. I made the experience that it is very difficult (if not impossible) to go for a gathering (be it dinner, Karaoke or an evening sight-seeing trip) with Korean locals without ending up in a huge drinking bout. It usually doesn't happen if you go to the so-called family restaurants (e.g. TGI Friday's, Outback) or high-class restaurants. However, if you join them for a Korean-style dinner, it's almost certain that you'll have lots of Soju (the most popular Korean liquor) on the table. These days, most Koreans accept if you do not want to join them drinking but it's not really fun being the only sober person at the table after an hour or two... apart from the fact that a real conversation is no longer possible. It's more likely to happen with many people around. It probably won't be a problem if you intend to have dinner with your close friend or acquaintance. But be careful if they plan to bring some more friends around! Drinking occasions are extremely versatile: From college gatherings or department dinners, a get-together or weekend trip with your acquaintance or getting to know your girlfriend's parents... drinking is always part of the game.
Add-on (17.09.2006): I just read the book "Korea" written by Simon Winchester, who spent two months walking through Korea, describing his impression on the country, the people and providing lots of insight into Korea's history. I found a very fitting paragraph on Korea's drinking culture that I'd like to recite in the following: "Confucian drinking habits are exceptionally tough on unseasoned skulls. Koreans often drink with the specific objective of becoming drunk, and what might pass for extreme courtesy at table is simply an elegant way of ensuring that this happens. Basically it involves giving a glass [...] to your friend at table and filling it to the brim with liquor. He will drain it at one draught, then pass it back to you and fill it for you, whereupon you drain it, and offer it back to him. You never fill your own cup; you never refuse drink offered to you; you will always be offerd drink; you will get drunk very quickly; you will remember very little of the proceedings; and you will (especially if you drink Soju) have the mother and father of all hangovers." ;-z Leave a Comment
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| | | | Hotel Ripoff, The Seoul Renaisance | Tip Rating: | | | | |
My wife and I recently spent a night in Seoul courtesy of our son-in-law who gave us a comped ticket to the Seoul Renaisance in the Kangnam area. The room would have sold for $250.00 u.s. Although we paid nothing I still felt as though we had been ripped off. We have stayed in nice hotels throughout the world. I was a representative of a global company, have done considerable travel on my own, so know what to expect. I did not expect to be charge $6.00 for a .60 bottle of water. 6 bucks of a can of coke, 12 bucks for a small can of nuts. I did not utilize their service mini-bar except for the nuts. Instead, I walked across the street where I was able to find all the goodies except for the nuts at cheaper prices mentioned above. Furthermore, The Seoul Renaisance adds a VAT of 10% to the already grand theft prices they charge. For breakfast you can pay 24.50 for some runny eggs, a piece of spicey, reconstituted sausgage, a bowl of Wheaties, and a small bowl of fruit, or you can cross the street, go down two blocks to a korean restaurant and have bi-bim-bap, go 50 more feet and have clam chowder for 3 bucks. Kangnam is the only place in Korea with the VAT unless other hotels have jumped on this cute little money maker. There are too many nice, clean, accessible hotels all over Seoul to be robbed by this clip joint.
1. Stay away from the Kangnam area. It is the highest priced area in Korea. The goods are no better than other places, but will cost you 300-1000 % more. @. Go to Gunpo, Sanbon, or Anyang, all easy subway rides on no. 1 line. Get on the track side that says "incheon/Cheonan" not on the track side that says Uijeongbu/Cheongjeongni. If you want to stay closer to central Seoul, get off at Yeongdeonpo and find a hotel there. If your business is in Kangnam, eat, drink, party, and sleep elsewhere unless someone else is paying.
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