Are Koreans More Polite When They’re Naked? — A Visit to a Korean Bathhouse
For Koreans a weekly visit to the spa or bathhouse is a must. They go there to lounge in the hot pools, sweat in the saunas, and scrub their bodies until they’re red. Men and women are separated and everyone roams around buck naked.
When I first came to Korea I enjoyed a bathhouse that overlooked the ocean. Once I got used to the idea of parading around in the buff it was one of my favorite weekly activities. I would lay in the warm water until my skin puckered. The two dollar admission brought me an afternoon of bliss once a week.
Having gotten away from the weekly ritual I decided a couple of weeks ago that a visit was long over due. Thursday is now “bathhouse day”. This week I went to one here in Daejeon and for $5.00 I wiled away a most enjoyable afternoon. I was massaged with the water jets, and sweated off a few ounces in the saunas before I plunged into the COLD water pool.
The one thing I took note of was how nice everyone was. Koreans are known for being rude, and they have no qualms about pushing in line. In public places it often seems to be “survival of the quickest”. Get them naked, and a new personality takes over. The bathers made sure that I had my turn at the jets, no cutting in line. Sauna doors were held while others passed through. I had forgotten how polite naked Koreans usually are; a pleasant surprise.
A trip to Korea isn’t complete without a trip to the public spa/bathhouse.
–Men and women bathe separately.
–Don’t be shy about being naked. We’re all the same. You might get the odd stare, but just ignore them. Try a bathhouse in a bigger city where they’re used to seeing foreigners.
– Don’t even think about wearing a bathing suit. That would just be too weird.
– Remember to take your shoes off before you enter the locker room area.
– Expect to pay between five and ten dollars. You can stay as long as you like.
– You’ll be given two itzy bitzy towels. If you have a bigger towel, you might want to bring it along.
– Be sure to shower before going into the pools.
– Most spas offer body scrubs and massages. Be warned, these are not gentle!
– Bring your own toiletries.
– Bath houses are everywhere, and often attached to a hotel/motel. Ask at your hotel or look for the sign that looks like a flame.
A trip to the bathhouse is not only a fantastic way to experience Korean culture on a budget, but to mingle with the locals when they are on their best behavior.
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LOVE this! i long for an afternoon there!
That is pretty interesting! Imagine if we had those here in the U.S. – that would be bizarre! I don't know if I could visit one though, I'm not a freak about germs but something about sharing water and jets with a bunch of naked people is weird to me. Thanks for the tips though – this way I'll be prepared!
Oh boy – I want to go right now! If only I could click my heels together and wish myself there in that lovely soaking water….
Hey.. look what you got here!!
Public path house is quite long, traditional thing. It starts with social background.
I went there with my granma when I was kid. Sweet memory.
Nice!
I enjoy a good sauna, but I don't know if I would go once a week. I did that for awhile last summer when I was at the gym, but it lost its appeal after several visits.
I have to admit that this would be a very liberating experience….especially since I've never been to a sauna!
This sounds amazing. I'm hoping to go to Korea one day and this sounds exactly up my alley.
I used to think that way too. It's amazing what you get used to and what you'll do after living in a country for a while.
that's fantastic that this is a weekly thing.. relaxing indeed. Gotta try it out when we're in Korea!
Real tips about getting naked with Koreans — I love it. A weekly spa? I'm in!
Can't wait to get to Korea really. Not sure if I could do the whole naked thing but I guess it's something I have to do once there.
Not a big issue for most once you get used to it. There are also water parks in some places where you do keep your suit on
Not a big issue for most once you get used to it. There are also water parks in some places where you do keep your suit on
[...] Budget Travellers Sandbox has a great time around South East Asia. I love her recent post, ‘Are Koreans More Polite When They’re Naked? — A Visit to a Korean Bathhouse’. I was interested in some of the comments about the problems of getting naked for Americans! I am [...]
Sounds fantastic. A bizarre concept that people would be more polite when naked, but guess it kind of makes sense. Reminds me of a very bizarre experience I had in a steam hut in a suburb of Vientiane, Laos.
Nice story
I haven't been in Korea, but I did public bathhouses in Japan. In my first time, I noticed some people were starring at me. Turned out I did the big mistake: jumping to the hot pool without showering!
I used to live in Korea last year and went to the Bath house at least once a week, sometimes more often. As you say, we're all the same naked. I paid about $4 to enter and an other $12 for the scrub or $20 for a scrub and massage. The guy was tough on my body but it felt great afterwards, so relaxing.
it does make sense, nothing to hide !!