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South Koreans lock themselves up to escape prison of daily life

reuters.com

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Re: South Koreans lock themselves up to escape prison of daily life

#41

Post by austhrow743 »

mikeash wrote: post #28
rb808 wrote: post #7

Actually sometimes I really fantasize about a 3-6 month stint in prison - am I the only one. Surely it can't be that bad If Martha Stewart can do it. Imagine no commuting or on call support or social engagements or children's homework or chores. bliss.

Just hole up in your local Motel 6. It’ll be cheaper and easier.

Being in a position where you can't do anything about your responsibilities is a big part of the fantasy. If you can do something but are just choosing not to; that doesn't provide emotional relief. You still get the anxiety, guilt, etc.

If you hole up in a Motel 6, then every minute you're there; you're choosing to not go to work, get a job, socialise, look after your kids, etc.

Re: South Koreans lock themselves up to escape prison of daily life

#42

Post by adventured »

calvinbhai wrote: post #29

Question for South Koreans here: Is this real or is this report just the usual exaggeration by western media? Asking because Reuter’s has a biased reporting for anything related to India, and I’m wondering if they have a similar lens / filter for South Korea. (I’m from India in US)

The demanding work life the article references is real. South Korea is #2 in the OECD in average annual hours worked, at 2,070 hours per worker for 2016 (the US was #14 at 1,789 hours by comparison, with the OECD average at 1,763). That's 41.4 hours per week across 50 weeks, basically the average South Korean is working overtime every week (by US standards).

Re: South Koreans lock themselves up to escape prison of daily life

#43

Post by pavel_lishin »

rb808 wrote: post #7

Actually sometimes I really fantasize about a 3-6 month stint in prison - am I the only one. Surely it can't be that bad If Martha Stewart can do it. Imagine no commuting or on call support or social engagements or children's homework or chores. bliss.

> Surely it can't be that bad

Sure. If you don't mind very bad food. If you don't mind always being a little too cold. If you don't mind never having a moment to yourself. If you don't mind not being able to use the bathroom in private. If you don't mind never showering alone. If you don't never being alone. If you don't mind not seeing much sun.

Re: South Koreans lock themselves up to escape prison of daily life

#44

Post by tyingq »

rb808 wrote: post #7

Actually sometimes I really fantasize about a 3-6 month stint in prison - am I the only one. Surely it can't be that bad If Martha Stewart can do it. Imagine no commuting or on call support or social engagements or children's homework or chores. bliss.

Martha went to a pretty nice minimum security Federal prison camp. "Club Fed" is a typical nickname for those.

Most US prisoners aren't in anything nice like that. Most state run prisons are dangerous shitholes. Maximum security Federal facilities are clean and safe, but rough in that you're by yourself in a tiny room 23 hours a day.

Re: South Koreans lock themselves up to escape prison of daily life

#46

Post by kijin »

calvinbhai wrote: post #29

Question for South Koreans here: Is this real or is this report just the usual exaggeration by western media? Asking because Reuter’s has a biased reporting for anything related to India, and I’m wondering if they have a similar lens / filter for South Korea. (I’m from India in US)

Obviously, not all South Koreans are locking themselves up.

This is just an unusual hotel that helps people get away from everyday life and stop being tied to their smartphones for a while. You could remove all references to South Korea, and the business model still looks interesting. I suspect it could work just as well in Japan, or even in the West as a modern alternative to a monastery.

Re: South Koreans lock themselves up to escape prison of daily life

#47

Post by benatkin »

Here's a similar sort of odd business in the US that I read about today: https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/arts/all-the-rage-tempes-sim...

I don't think stuff like this is very useful to learn about what it's like to live in a country. These are really tiny niches.

Re: South Koreans lock themselves up to escape prison of daily life

#48

Post by narrator »

klodolph wrote: post #38

Those of you considering the appeal, consider that there are retreats you can go on which structure your time and give you rules to follow. You don't have to make it look like prison.

I looked into signing up for a silent retreat, but they are expensive and sold out months in advance.

Re: South Koreans lock themselves up to escape prison of daily life

#49

Post by BEEdwards »

dawhizkid wrote: post #23
ams6110 wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You won't get good medical treatment in prison.

define "good"? chelsea manning got her transition treatment through prison

Military prison though, pretty sure the rules are very diffrent.

Re: South Koreans lock themselves up to escape prison of daily life

#50

Post by adventured »

blondie9x wrote: post #4

I am a bit confused by this, "South Koreans worked 2,024 hours in 2017." That does seem demanding but I am not sure how the US wouldn't be ranked higher where the minimum for full time employment is 2,080 hours a year. Can anyone clarify?

Sure, there's an easy clarification. Neither the average nor the median employed American is working 40 hours per week. The average employed American is working around 35 hours per week.
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