Here are some helpful tips when visiting Seoul for business or pleasure:

1. Transportation: Once arriving at the airport, you will need transportation into Seoul as it is about an hour away. All of the areas in Seoul have limousine buses that will take you on a route straight to your destination. These cost anywhere between 5,000-11,000 won. (4-9 dollars). DO NOT TAKE A TAXI. Taxi drivers will charge you anywhere from 60,000 to 80,000 won and the service is not faster or better. Actually, the seats on the buses are pretty large and luxurious. Within Seoul, you can opt for a taxi, bus or the subway. Taxi's are metered and are a little more expensive. The subway is quick and efficient and cheap (600 won) but it may take you a little while to learn the system as the maps are not quite accurate and there can be multiple transfers to get to your destinations. Buses are all over the place and have accouncements when you are at your destination. Each bus has a sign up front letting you know all of the major destinations.

2. Money- The exchange rate is around 1,200 won for $1. You can echange money at the airport and the rates are competitive. The money looks similar so make sure that you look carefully to see you are giving someone 1,000 won and not 10,000.

3. Hotels- The hotels are quite expensive and the service is poor. My hotel was paid for on my client's account but I would never pay 260,000 won for a hotel.

4. Food- Street food here is not very good although there are many deserts made with pancakes that are quite tasty. The department stores have great food courts where you can find meals for about 3,000 won. Korean barbecue's are excellent but most of the food in Korea is quie unusual and not very fresh.IMHO.

5. Culture shock- I know many of you have noticed my ridiculous racism towards Koreans (I love all other Asians) but I think this trip helped give me more perspective that my prejudices are immature. I found out that there are some attractive Korean women and most of the people were somewhat pleasant, especially my clients who were gracious hosts. Now for the dark side...This is not Thailand. In the three days that I was there, I did not see one person smile. This is cultural I guess. They didn't seem angry, just not happy or enthusiastic. Very few people spoke English and nobody offers any help to you when they see that you are lost. In the subway, the old Korean ladies would elbow and push me out of the way without any apology..only dirty looks.

6. Scenery- Seoul is a beutiful city with mountains and rivers surrounding the city. Go to Seoul Tower and the Korean traditional Village for some cultural entertainment and photos. World Cup fever is still present here and World Cup stuff can be bought anywhere.

went to Seoul massage parlor across the street from SEOUL COEX center. Nice looking women 8's gave great full body massages for about $60 but that was it. Watch for the barber poles. If your western stick to areas near milatary bases.

I think the Turkey Bathes in Seoul, South Korea are excellent. Tokaree has excellent whores, all night delights. Go explore on your own with little danger. I got a girl in the glass windows in Seoul to take me in. She was hot and I was surprised having been told no many times. She laid me down and licked me all over before getting on board for the ride. Mirror on the wall added to the effect. 70,000 won. I won...yes

Wow. Blazers. It is courageous of you to admit that your "prejudices are immature".

I guess, there is some truth to the common perception in the West that the people in Far East Asia (China, Korea and Japan) are "stoic". That is how they tend to behave, especially in front of strangers. In their cultures, the lack of formality can be considered the lack of "dignity", the concept that is far more valued there than it is here in interpersonal relationships. It does not mean these people are less friendly than Western counterparts.

Not talking to other people and not helping them is NOT friendly. I understand cultural differences but it is no excuse. Actually, Japanese people tend to be friendly and very cool. My GF in Thailand tells me that Thai people despise Koreans and call them Jai dam (black heart) or jai ngen (money heart). Very harsh but I guess Americans are not the only ones with prejudice. By the way, most of the brothels flat out will not allow non-Koreans inside. My business associates had to pull serious strings and pay some bribes to get me into their Karaoke club.

My business associates had to pull serious strings and pay some bribes to get me into their Karaoke club.

I've had similar experiences too. In my case, a regular place used by my hosts refused to entertain us , thereby abrogating a long standing relationship they had with my hosts.

If they can't speak English, they can't "talk to" you, unless you speak Korean.

To be honest, I don't really know how Korean people behave in Korea. But, some of what you wrote here have a familiar tone, as Japan and Korea are very similar in many ways. This "the old ladies would elbow and push me out of the way without any apology" is one of the most common observations/complaints I hear from Americans who visit Japan. But, touching other people's bodies is much more tolerated in Japan where the space (per population) is a premium. Have you seen a picture of a train conductor pushing passengers into an already 250% packed subway car during the rush hour? That practice will never be tolerated here, but it is a necessity there. The place is too crowded for people to complain every time their bodies are touched by others. As a matter of fact, there is a Japanese saying "it is a sign of connection that your sleeve touches mine".

There is a different comfort level in different cultures and rules. For example, I know many many Japanese who drive their cars here for the first time complain how Americans drive horribly (in fact, this was much worse when I lived in Boston where driving was a contact sport). This is especially funny when you think about the reputation of Asian drivers in this country. Still, it is true that US drivers cut off other people's cars way too often or change lanes without flashing lights. They just do things you rarely see in Japan. On the other hand, it is also true that if a driver does not know what others "might" do, then he is unsafe for himself and others.

I think what I am saying is, you can't really stick with your own rule when you are in a different place and culture.

I agree with Blazers. I think he is just giving his observations.

I was stationed in Seoul while in the military and wanted to taste the local offerings. I visited Iteawon a number of times at night looking for some action. My first visit was a wash. I couldn't find the aggressive Korean women that I had read about on this website. First, I visited a bar where there was nothing but Russian women who weren't interested in doing anything but dancing. My next bar had around 7 beautiful Korean women who told me that they did not do that type of stuff.

My next night visiting Iteawon proved to be a lot better. i got some advice from some of the guys that i work with as to where to go. I was approached by a Korean woman who had a friend that wanted to meet me. They asked me to join them at a restaurant for some food and drinks. I'm trying to figure out what the angle is that they're trying to pull on me. After about spending 5 hours with them and going back to their apartment, I found out what one of the ladies wanted, sex. At about 6 in the morning I'm in the bedroom with this Korean lady getting my groove on for FREE. I must admit that she was a little bigger than what I like, but it was free and I don't turn down free sex from a women unless she is just extremely nasty and/or ugly.

Finally my last night I struck gold. I walked down this alley off of the main strip where all of the bars are and you'll find some of the most attractive Korean women in Seoul. I went into one shop and negotiated a $150,000 WON nut. She helped a little by giving me a BJ before we agreed on a price. She wanted to start off by finishing the BJ she started a few minutes earlier. Then we moved to a couch where she wanted it doggie style and I rolled her over while spending about an hour in various positions until my load got off in the missionary position.

She cleaned me up gave me a hug and off I went. I then spent about one hour in another bar talking to a Korean lady and trying to find out if she would go back to my room with me. She told me that she did not do that for money but could go back to my room if she decided and have sex with me for free. She wanted me to keep buying her drinks, that was her angle. So after a couple of drinks for me and the lady, I was on my way. I finally walked pass this one bar and saw a drop dead 10. I quickly made a u-turn after figuring out that I must get some of that before I leave Korea. I walked in and she whistled me off to the back room. She offered to have sex with me in this room behind a curtain for $400,000 WON, I quickly said no and said for how much.

We negotiated for some time until I settled for her back in my room for the rest of the night (it's already around 3:00 AM) for $300,000 WON. I'm thinking that I'm going to tear this up at least two or three times. We start off by me getting a BJ, move to doggie then finished up in missionary. Of course being the typical male, I go to sleep after getting my rocks off. I miss my wake-up call and she's gone. Dammit!

If your ever in Iteawon, please go up the side alleys where the smaller looking bars are located. That's where you'll find Korean sex goddess.

Dannyboy are you still around? Was wondering if I could contact you by Email to get some more tips and ask some questions.

Thanks

Damn, now I do feel really ancient. In '74 when I was stationed at Camp Red Cloud in the 2nd Infantry Division, there were 300 won to the dollar. Quick time "fuckee fuckee" was $2.00 and all night was $5.00.

Turkey farms were off limits to GI's but guess what? It was my job to hit them all every night and make sure that there weren't any GI's in them. They were called "turkey farms" because the girls "gobbled" your joint. (Blow job palaces, for sure!)

I never did find a Korean whore who was any good, many were beautiful, but mechanical in their actions. Latinas, especially colombianas are where it's at today.

MachoPanzon

Macho, please include the Brasileras and the Argentinians in the "especially Latinas" group too:-)))

I do! sf4dfish

Just wanted to drop a quick note about my experience so far in Seoul. It is my third time here and i agree with most posts regarding the lack of quality action available. My hotel is near the Kim Po airport and it has it's own Men's Sauna. Not wanting to do the barbershop thing again since it is mediocre at best, i ventured to the sauna hoping simply for a good relaxing experience. For KW 83k, I got a world class massage, and the bonus was the "happy ending" the sweet and beautifull girl provided. For now the toughts of being in Pattaya Fridy night have me at ease, but I will likely repeat the sauna before I go.

Thanks for the post Lanzan, Pattaya is the exact opposite of Seoul. Get there as fast as you can. :-) If you can, try to check out "588" aka Chyongnyangri with a Korean speaker, they had the best talent last month.