mr. announcer guy

Each apartment complex has a management office where they dilligently help any/all residents with their various needs. once we had a clogged drain and within 10 minutes 2 repairmen were at our door ready to unclog. great, speedy, and helpful service.

another interesting thing about korean apartments is they have a built in PA system. every few days we hear an anouncement bell go off (do-so-do, for you musicians out there) with a voice following. the announcer is an older gentlement, usually the same guy each time. he has this same pattern of words and tone every time. in fact, i usually say it along with him when the announcement begins: (all in korean, of course) "excuse me & hello. this is the management office..." his sounds like a tired, college professor trying to explain something to his thick-headed students for the fourth time. when we first arrived in korea i hoped they weren't making any critically important announcements since i couldn't really understand them...like "don't take the elevator. it's broken and you may plunge to your death" or "be sure to avoid the front door because of snakes". i know, my imagination runs wild sometimes...

it turns out the announcements are often reminders or gentle admonishments to the residents. something like "don't forget to drain your food trash before you pour it in the compost" or "please don't smoke in the public restrooms." or "did anyone leave a crying 4-year old child on the fourth floor? please come claim him"

as my korean improves, the more i understand. the more i understand, the more i realize these announcements/interactions with people are usually not so serious. i have yet to translate an announcement about plunging elevators or snakes (knock on wood). i'm improving day by day and i feel really proud of myself when i understand something that i didn't understand last week. i'm becoming more independent and trying to handle some of my "business" on my own without relying on others. it feels good.