by Colin Kangas
Getting naked in a room full of Koreans? No way! For my first year in Korea I steadfastly refused to go anywhere near a bath house. It wasn’t until my second year that curiosity got the better of me and I caved in. I prepared myself for the stares, the giggling and the pointing at the funny waygook. Almost disappointingly, there were none. .
After countless hours spent soaking in bath houses I’ve yet to chalk up a bad experience. Sure, as a foreigner you are noticed at first. But any initial curiosity soon subsides and you are left to blend in.If you’re nervous you could just use the old method of picturing everyone naked oh wait, they all are. So really, you have nothing to worry about.
All bath houses have pretty much the same set up. When you enter, ask for “sauna” and you will receive a numbered locker key. The price should be around 4000~5000 won. Ask which floor or door you have to go to so you don’t end up walking into the opposite sex’s area. Leave your shoes at the entrance in the racks or lock them in your numbered shoe locker if provided. When you enter, find your locker and get naked. The key is on a handy band that you can keep on your wrist or ankle. You don’t have to worry too much about committing any social faux pas because there are very few rules. Just watch the Koreans and see what they do. The one rule you have to follow is that you must shower before you do anything else.
There will be showers with soap near the entrance. The various hot tubs are for soaking, not for washing yourself. Girls, the one extra rule you have to follow is to tie your hair up. From here it’s up to you. Enjoy trying out the different pools and saunas. It’s a good idea to test the water temperature first before jumping in. Some are hot enough to cook you like a lobster. Others, I’m sure, could cause frost bite within five minutes. When you’re starting to resemble a prune it’s time to shower again and head out. Towels are kept at the door to the dressing room. This month I had the hard research job of trying out major bath houses around Ulsan. A tough job, but someone had to do it. Here’s a summary what makes each one good and bad.
Family Spa
Geonguptop Rotary Sauna
Aqua
ABS Sports Spa