The Yellow Dust

While springtime in South Korea might be known for cherry blossom season and beautiful flowers, what I didn’t realize was how intense the dust would be. In the spring, strong seasonal winds carry dust from the Gobi Desert towards Seoul, often causing air quality to reach bad or very bad levels. In the pictures below, you’ll notice the visibility goes down quickly, and the mountains and buildings become hazy.

If you are sensitive to air quality or have any breathing or lung issues, this can really impact your health. During days when the air quality is particularly bad, it’s important to stay indoors or, when you are outside, to wear a good mask. I have even gotten into the habit of checking the weather and air quality every day because it can be so unpredictable. 

No paper towels or a weak hand dryer in the bathroom

I have found that in Seoul, public bathrooms can be hit or miss when it comes to hand dryers or paper towels. I’ve had to wipe my hands on my pants much more often than I did back in the U.S. To avoid this, I picked up a few small hand towels to keep in my bags or backpack for when I am on the go. That way, I never have damp hands after using the bathroom (a tip that I learned from my short stay in Japan). 

Not covering your cough or sneeze

This is one of the last things I never would have expected, especially in a society that wears masks so often. Many people here do not cough into their elbows or cover their sneezes. I was really surprised when I noticed this, especially during a busy rush hour, and it particularly made me uncomfortable. However, I have also noticed that if someone is genuinely ill, they do wear a mask, and that naturally covers their cough or sneeze. It seems to be the occasional cough and sneeze that people don’t cover. Regardless, this is one habit I will not be bringing back with me to the U.S.

The internet can only do so much to prepare you to adjust to a new culture, and it never substitutes for the real thing. Although I wasn’t ready for some of these experiences here, there are also many positive things I didn’t expect about South Korea, which I’ll discuss in another blog.