No. 1 - Don't
Buy Drinking Water!
Guess what? You don't need to buy any drinking water while in Korea and
believe it or not? You would never die from dehydration. Why? Well, water comes
free! All you need to do is get yourself a water container and simply fill up
at any of the water dispensing machine found at most hotels, shopping complexes
and convenience stores. There are both hot and cold water for you. Of course,
drinking plain water is not the way to go. There are a large variety of interesting
fruit juices and other weird concoction that you must sample. Try the hop drink!
No. 2 - Watch
Out For That...
...Korean?!?! Excuse me for saying this, but Koreans are not exactly very
polite. It may be a general or sweeping statement, but do be careful while on
the road. Day after day, I have Koreans rushing past and bumping into me -
hard! I do not understand why they cannot maintain what other people or a general
civilization would call "personal space". The weird part is...
it seems like a trend amongst their culture. Even small children believe in
'bumping' or 'brushing' past strangers without the slightest
hesitation. Don't expect an apology from them. And if you prefer, you
may just elbow them in return. It's all fair in life...
No. 3 - Grade
A Goods
Putting aside piracy laws and other ethical obligations, wouldn't you
like to know where to get really good authentic-looking handbags? Branded names
like Prada, Louis Vuitton, Salvatore Ferragamo, and the likes are found in abundance
in Korea. However, there is a trick in getting your hands on one of these Grade
A bags! The different classifications denote the quality of the bags. There
are Grade A, B and Cs, with Grade A being the best. In fact, an untrained eye
can almost never tell the difference between a Grade A Prada bag from a real
Prada. However, don't expect to see Grade A bags being hung out for sale.
For example, you will see a bag with similar design as a real Prada complete
with the triangular logo. Unfortunately, instead of the word 'Prada',
you see 'Original'. These are your Grade B bags. And you know what?
Should you be interested in a Prada logo on your bag, just ask them for it.
The logos are interchangeable. If you want Grade A ones, ask the proprietor
and you will be surprised at what is in store for you. Grade A bags/purse/wallets
are priced at around KRW90,000 and above whilst Grade B ones are priced much
lower at around KRW20,000.
No. 4 - English
is Useless
While in Korea, I also realized that the English language is pretty useless.
Very few Koreans understand English. Even simple terms like one, two or three,
or a "how much?" baffles them. Not only will you get a blank look,
but expect some to ignore you as well. Preparing yourself with a translation/phrase
book could be useful. Alternatively, if you are able to speak Mandarin, you
could be in luck for some (very few as well) Koreans understand a little Mandarin.
If you are to join a tour, ensure that there is an English-speaking guide or
you would be left in the dark... like me. Sigh!
No. 5 - Bargaining
Power
So, is bargaining allowed or encouraged in Korea? Whilst most outlets are pretty
okay with bargaining, there are certain places that see bargaining are a big
no-no! However, there is no harm in trying. I mean, what can they do to you?
Knock you down? Since most Koreans are already doing so (check Tip No. 2) you
might as well make the most of it. My guide discouraged us from bargaining at
Dongdaemun, Korea's largest warehouse shopping district, with reasons
that the place is already selling at its lowest, therefore, you won't
get much from bargaining. Not wanting to pass out the opportunity to bargain
for some Grade A bags, I did and guess what? I got a sizeable discount and it
was worth the risk of getting scolded or cold-shouldered. But how do you bargain
if they don't speak English? Have a calculator handy! Or better still,
just use theirs. Point to the item that you like and ask in basic simple English:
"How much?" If there is a price tag on the item, point to it and
ask how much again. There is no harm in looking ignorant. Chances are, the seller
will punch the numbers for you on the calculator. Give the numbers a quizzical
look and then punch in your preferred sum. Do this to and fro until you are
both happy with the final numbers. Give the thumbs-up for final confirmation!
Disclaimer: Of course,
you may try your own method and the thumbs-up isn't a must.
No. 6 - Eat
Everything!
To experience as much as you can, try to eat everything you can find. If you
are part of a tour, it is all the more important that you get away for some
meals on your own for you can never try the really delicious meals with a tour
group. Make time out in the evenings after you have been dropped off at your
hotel. There are various eateries that opened till about 10 or 10:30 pm. It
is at these places that you really get to eat the delicious meals and not meals
that you are forced to take. However, be careful when ordering. Remember Tip
No. 4. I made the mistake of asking the waiter if the set meal was enough for
two. He thought I wanted two helpings and when the food arrived, I could barely
finished half of what I ordered, let alone eat the other portion. And of course,
the bill came up to twice the amount than what I expected! It would be easier
to just order first and check out the portion. Normally, the portion is decent
and for a light supper, one portion is enough for two.
Aside from restaurant meals, you must not take the street food lightly. In
fact, you should stop by at every street stall you see and sample all their
food. It is fun, authentic and very interesting. Fried sausages, candies, drinks,
and a host of other weird delicacies are a must-try.
No. 7 - The
Ginseng Scare
While basically everything in Korea is price-tagged in Korean won, one place
just doesn't give a hoot about it! Famous for their ginseng, you would
expect their specialty to be cheaper than elsewhere in the world. Guess what?
They are not because they are priced in US dollars. This is not applicable to
all the places, but only to the official ginseng outlet that all tourists will
go to. Cheapest item on the board is about USD200 plus while a whole set comprising
of ginseng tablets, powder, roots, etc is about USD2000 and above. Phew!
No. 8 - It's
Never Too Late for Shopping...
For those who enjoy shopping, good new is in store for you. It is never too
late to shop in Dongdaemun. The place never sleeps and runs round the clock
24 hours a day. Therefore, if you are suffering from insomnia or having too
few days to shop in Korea, just skip over to Dongdaemun for a taste of night
shopping as well as daytime bustle!
No. 9 - Ski
Resort during summer?
Don't bother visiting the ski resorts during any other seasons but winter.
Some tours offer ski resorts as a new item on the itinerary, but honestly, they
are simply a waste of time and money. The barren ground is brown and dead, while
whatever snow that's left behind have turned to slush. It is not a very
beautiful sight. The air is cooling and refreshing of course, but other than
a long ride up to the top of the hill for a cup of coffee and look-see, there
is really nothing else to do but hit the sack early or snack on more tidbits
bought from Seoul the day before. Instead of picking a tour package that brings
you to places like Muju Ski Resort during off season, why not save up and go
to another location? An island destination would be nice during summer.
No. 10 - All
The Noodles You Can Eat!
There isn't a better or more delicious gift to bring home to than Korean's
instant noodles. Weird as that may sound, the noodles are really cheap and on
your way home, your tour guide will probably drop you off at a little convenience
store near the airport where you can do your last minute shopping. Sweets, seaweed,
ginseng, and noodles are packed by the boxful. Each packet of noodle cost about
30 cents US. Where else can you find delicious noodles for that price?
source : thingsasia.com
