prepared by Arina Zh.
,
SHOPPING IN Victoria B., Khadizhat T.
DIFFERENT
COUNTRIES
Shopping in
Poland
Now I’ve been living
in Poland for a year Poland
and I know a lot
about the habits of
Poles. And of course,
I go shopping very
often and now I
want to tell you how
Poles shop
It’s worth starting with
the fact that absolutely
all shops in Poland are
closed on Sundays, and
you cannot buy
anything. But there is
one that is open - Zabka.
It's a small, overpriced
store with a variety of
items. Polish teenagers
especially love it
The most popular store in В
Poland is Biedronka, I think
they have a developed I
taste for animals. Bidronka E
is at every step, because it
D
is the most popular store,
but personally I don’t like it,
because I have already
noticed more than once R
that people get scammed
O
for promotions or have
the wrong numbers on the N
receipt, that’s why I don’t K
like Biedronka
A
Kaufland
The next store I want to show is Kaufland.
This is a chain of German stores that is
popular in Poland. What do I like about it?
There are a lot of discounts on everything
from vegetables to school notebooks.
They sell a lot of things there, and I
especially like German yoghurts, which by
the way are also at a discount
I love Kaufland very
much, but not with all my
heart because once last
year I bought tangerines
on sale, came home and
saw that almost all of
them were rotten and
impossible to eat. This
made me very angry.
Lidl
Lidl is also a German chain of
stores. I think it is the most
adequate of all that exist in
Poland. There are very clear
self-service cash registers,
sometimes they sell cheap
things, everything is always
fresh, and there is ice cream for
literally (1 zl) 9 hryvnia! This is
my favorite store, just 10 out of
10
Rossman
Rossman is a Polish store of
cosmetics and all hygiene
products, it seems to me
the largest cosmetics chain
in Poland. I often buy
cosmetics there,
sometimes the prices are
very good, and sometimes
they are very inflated
In general, everything is
fine with the shops. The
Poles don't have many of
them. I would like to tell
you about products that
are not available in Polish
stores.
1-Chips with crab. I really
loved chips with crab, but
unfortunately the Poles
don’t know that they exist
2-Delicious curd desserts.
3-Sorrel. I really love green
borscht, but I can’t cook it
here.
In general, that's all.
Polish stores are
losing out to
Ukrainian ones.
Ukrainian ones are
much better, the
choice of products is
much larger, and I
rate stores in Poland 4
out of 10
Shopping in Seoul is varied - flea
markets with antiques coexist with
fashion boutiques of world famous
brands. The main shopping areas of
the city often host rock concerts, art
exhibitions, and performances—life in
the capital of South Korea is vibrant
around the clock.
Being a tourist in Korea is not only interesting, but sometimes also profitable. Of course,
the prices there are not low, but there are 2 nuances: the Shopping Festival (held in
January-February) and the Big Summer Sale (held in July/August). These days, a huge
number of shops and entire malls reduce prices for foreigners by 50-60%. To purchase, you
may need special coupons or a card (you can get them at the airport or at a travel agency).
A full list of participating sellers is usually posted on official sales websites. Don't forget
about tax free too. Moreover, in Seoul there is an entire shopping center where tax
refunds are provided for the purchase of any product - Lotte Duty Free. The most
important thing is to carry your passport or return ticket with you: they may ask at the
ticket office ;)
The variety of goods in Myeongdong is
amazing. Myeongdong Market sells
souvenirs and cheap clothes, while
Lotte and M PLAZA are the places to go
for designer items. On the weekend, be
sure to take time to visit the Lotte
Young Plaza and Noon Square
department stores. Here you will have
a great time and replenish your
wardrobe with the latest new items.
In the Dongdaemun area there are
more than 25 shopping centers and
over 30 thousand local stores - you
can’t think of a better place for
shopping in Seoul! Get a feel for local
life at Dongdaemun Market, where you
can buy everything from silk products
to pet supplies. Come during the day if
you want to shop for clothes and
appliances or try Korean food on the
famous Mokja-Kulmog Street. After
dark, Dongdaemun becomes the center
of Seoul's nightlife. Concerts, festivals
and even fashion shows are held here.
After exploring the market, be sure to
check out nearby shopping malls such
as Good Morning City, Doota Mall or
Migliore Dongdaemun.
The Hongdae area attracts students and
aspiring artists like a magnet. And no
wonder: here is the campus of Hongik
University and the famous Hongdae
shopping street, where you can buy rare
things or catch an impromptu concert.
On weekends, students flock to Hongik
Children's Park to view the work of local
artists and artisans at the Hongdae Flea
Market. Another shopping destination
in Hongdae is the KT&G
Sangsangmadang Cultural Center. The
11-story building houses an art gallery,
concert hall, cinema and art space
where Seoulites exhibit and sell works of
art and handicrafts.
The elite shopping district of
Apgujeong is a window to the
world of high fashion and
impeccable beauty. On its
main street, Rodeo Street,
you will find many fashion
and accessories boutiques,
plastic surgery centers,
beauty salons and
dermatology clinics. Here
you can also visit the famous
Galleria shopping center.
In the old Insadong district there is only one large shopping center - Insadong
Ssamjigil. But here there is Insadong Street, on which there are countless
antique shops, art galleries and tea houses. The winding alleys sell traditional
hanbok costumes, hanji (paper and stationery) and vintage toys, as well as
works by local artists and potters. You can spend the whole day on Insadong
Street, but there are also many interesting places in its surroundings, for
example, Kyungin Art Gallery, Gana Art Center and Hakgojae Gallery
Top 10 Items
to Buy
in Seoul Korean Food Cosmetics
What are the things that all visitors want
At a time when people the world over One frequently-heard remark by
to buy as souvenirs or presents? From
are seeking to eat more healthily, Korean international visitors to Seoul is that most
handicrafts full of Seoul's culture and food culture is making its global mark. Koreans are pretty and have good skin.
history to fashion props that can't be Some of the most popular souvenirs are Nowadays however, these same visitors
found anywhere else in the world, we Korean tteok (rice cakes) or alcohol made
have also learned the Korean secret to
from rice, dried natural products that can
have made a list of the top items to buy flawless skin: BB Cream. This magical
be eaten conveniently on the go, as well
in order to commemorate your trip to cream takes away blemishes and leaves
as snacks good for your body. You can
Seoul. spot a wide selection of well-packaged
in their place a clear and lively skin. A
food souvenirs at supermarkets or in the Korean cosmetic staple, BB Cream has
food section of department stores. become so popular world- wide that even
The following list was compiled from a luxury brands are using it to benchmark
survey of 300 foreigners studying Korean their own products. However, there are
in Seoul. other must-buy cosmetics in Seoul.
Hanbok and Clothes and
Traditional Korean Shoes Hallyu Goods
Accessories When choosing garments, look for the "Made in There is a famous saying among die-hard
Traditional Koreans can still be seen wearing hanbok, the
traditional Korean garment, on special occasions
Korea" tag to be sure of their caliber. Anyone who
tries on a Korean-made garment falls in love with
fans of Korean celebrities, in particular the
musicians: "He is not a singer. He is a way
Handicrafts
such as Lunar New Year or weddings. Most of the its quality fabric, intricate patterns and prints, and of life." This saying goes a long way toward
hanbok that Koreans wear on those days are custom meticulous needlework. The garments are stylized demonstrating the undying ardor of hallyu,
Traditional handicrafts from any country tailored, but off- the-shelf hanbok are also available. and designs are incredibly diverse, making them aka Korean Wave fans. The phenomenon is
usually make excellent travel souvenirs since With curves that flow like ripples in the water and great value for money. This also applies to shoes, not limited to just Koreans; there are count-
woven in a rich tapestry of colors, the hanbok is a socks, and T-shirts: of these, couple T-shirts and less fans from all over the world that visit
they represent that region's history and
thing of splendid, yet simple, beauty, which may character socks are two must- buy items in Seoul. the city in order to see their favorite stars,
culture, and are not available for pur- chase explain why it has recently given so much inspiration Foreign visitors to Seoul often recount seeing waiting in line from dawn in order to attend
anywhere else. This is the case with the many to many of today's top fashion designers. Hanbok couples dressed ex- actly alike as being among the a broadcast, performance or an autograph-
traditional handicrafts that can be frequently are also accompanied by various traditional most surpris- ing of the city's sights, and couple signing session. Hallyu fans will treasure
spotted in Insa-dong or Bukchon. Some accessories, such as hair pins or brooches, both of T-shirts make excellent and unique souvenirs, not their gifts of just-released Korean CDs,
which are usually delicate and intricate works of art, to mention being difficult to find elsewhere. DVDs, or autographed stills. Thus anyone
perennially-popular items include dolls
making them popular souvenirs in and of Character socks meanwhile, or socks bear- ing who is a fan of Korean dramas or K-pop
wearing hanbok (traditional Korean dress), themselves. If you want to get all the attention at a famous characters such as Korean stars, are witty must visit one of the hallyu souvenir shops,
mother-of-pearl keychains, and humorous special event, try wearing a hanbok rather than a and incredibly cute, and even those who are not often operated by entertainment agencies
folk facial mask sets. dress. Perhaps you will be the starlet on that special
fans of the Korean Wave will appreciate them. or the family members of celebrities.
day.
What these items have in common is their ability
The traditional fan is
to make anyone smile.
another popular item
because it is beautifully
crafted and can serve as
a decorative piece in
addition to its usefulness
in hot weather. It is also
a gift of great signifi-
cance, since the fan is
traditionally offered to
loved ones and is very
environmentally-friendly.
Accessories Postcards and
A Seoul shopping guide would not be complete
without a few words on where to buy fabulous
Stationery
accessories. Accessories are must- haves when Photos of landmarks, or just unique and
distinctive postcards, make excellent presents
it comes to defining a personal sense of style.
or keepsakes, and are also light and
Visitors may find an assortment of standard
inexpensive. Some postcards show off Seoul's
accessories, from earrings, necklaces, and
major landmarks, while others are emblazoned
bracelets to expensive pieces of jewelry. There with traditional patterns, paintings or cultural
are also many different places to shop for assets. There are also specialized shops that
items that only cost a few thousand won at sell postcards arranged by subject. Stationery
Namdaemun Market for example, to rare also make great souvenirs, and range from
luxury brand antiques at Garosu-gil. They can those featuring cute characters appealing to
also be found at countless street stalls, and kids, to those made with high-quality materials
around the Hongdae district, where shoppers and design. You can find a large variety of
stationery from Korea and around the world at
Tableware
will often find young designers eagerly selling
large bookstores throughout Seoul.
their own hand-made jewelry directly on the
street. These original and unique accessories
Books
Traditional tableware, such as plates,
are a perfect fit for fashion-conscious spoon and chopstick sets, and teacups, is
shoppers in pursuit of their own unique styles. another way to explore Korean culture,
Another good souvenir is travel books written in not to mention local dining customs.
foreign languages about Seoul or Korea. Some These are made from a variety of
visitors buy books in Korean in order to study the materials, such as earthenware,
language, but other shoppers will enjoy books that aluminum, and wood. Korean tableware is
are less language-dependent such as photo-rich as beautiful as it is functional, and comes
cookbooks, maps, and coffee-table design in such a huge variety that those with an
hardbacks. Even if one is not interested in buying interest in household items will have just
books, Seoul's mega-bookstores often sell a variety as much fun as the fashionistas in
of stationery, souvenirs and music, so be sure to pursuing the latest trends. There are even
have a good look around. For visitors with an collectors who take an interest in Korean
interest in rare and second-hand books that cannot ceramics produced using traditional
be found anywhere else, Pyounghwa Market, methods because of the high degree of
located near the Cheonggyecheon, is perfection that goes into their
recommended. Seoul residents also like to sell their construction. Recently the focus has
used books every Saturday in front of the former shifted to producing highly- functional
Seoul City Hall, which is now a library. modern tableware using lighter and more
