Some tips to live in Korea for British and other foreigners - part 1

Hi my name is James and I am Korean. I lived in UK(Scotland) for 7 years and I am back in Korea for good. I would like to share some tips to live and hopefully it helps to every one.

Weather:
- warm as Rome in the summer and cold as Detroit in the winter
- We have heavy raining season in July or Auguest

Korean people
- Usually Korean do not talk to someone first
- Also many Korean people are not  very friendly if they do not
   know the person but once they get to know the person they
   will become very friendly and helpful.
- If someone introduce you to Koreans, they will be very
   friendly to you (Introduction is quite important in Korea)
- But if you need any help Korean will be very helpful.
- Always respect older people

Public transportation:
- We have Tube, Bus and taxi and much cheaper than London

Seoul:
- North West is students area
- Central( upper Namsan) is old business & politicical area.
   Most of embassies are located in this area
- South East and further south is richer and upper class area
- West and far west will be quite industrial
- Itaewon is the most multicultural place

Happening place:
- Hongdae (NW):
   - very much student area
   - a lot of clubs, live music and pubs are aong the area
- Myungdong(C):
   - Mostly shopping area for young people
   - quite touristic area
- Dongdaemoon(NE):
   - good place for cheap shopping
- Jongro(C):
   - a lot of Hagwons where to learn English
- Kangnam station(SE):
   - a lot of Hagwons
   - many clubs, restaurants and pubs for students and business
     men
   - Koreans one of the favor place for friday meeting
- Apgujung & Chungdam(SE):
   - good shopping area for rich people
   - Many clubs, restaurants and pubs for upper class people
- Itaewon(C):
   - Multicultural place
   - Foriengner's one of the favor place for night out
   - You will see more foreigners than local people
   - many clubs, pubs and restaurants
   - dart and pool league are going on now(HOT)

Shops:     UK.                           Korea
        TESCO, Sainsburys, M&S  =>  Home plus, E-mart
        Woolworth, Boots.       =>  Home plus, E-mart
        WH Smith.               =>  Alpha and local shops
        IKEA                   => Local shops only
        B&Q                    => Home plus, E-mart

Replacements:
   - Fish&Chips   =>  Fish kasu(but batter tastes different)
   - Chips        =>  Fries
   - Pub          =>  Bar
   - Sweet&Sour   =>  Tang-soo-yook
   - Chips&Curry  =>  no replacement
   - Beers        => Available in Home plus & E-mart
   - Pint         => 500cc(Say give me Obaek)
   - Indian foods => In Itaewon and Kangnam station
   - Kebab        => In Itaewon, Kangnam and department stores
   - Italian foods => You can find it but mostly more creamy and
                       melt cheese on it.
   - Fag/cigarette  => All stuff at every corner shops

American stuff: You will find a lot of American stuff as follows:
   - McDonals, Burger King, Wendys, KFC, Quiznos ..
   - TGI Fridays, Bennigance, Outback, Pizza hut..
   - Star Bucks, Hollys coffee..
   - Baskin robins,Haaggendazs,Dunkin's,Krispy cream donuts...

[IMPORTANT] Drugs:
   - Korea is very strict about drugs
   - Do not even think about it
   - Once you try it, you may cover the tommorow's head line
     news papers and you will be introduced as the most
     dangerous global drug dealer


               
I will write more soon. Many thanks