I got into the elevator, and there was a sheet of paper stuck up next to the mirror. If you don't know Korean, it's easy to just walk past it. Even international students ask, "What's that paper over there?" He asked. That paper is a letter that your neighbors and the management office are sending to you. ## Why do they speak through paper? In Korea, hundreds of households live in a single apartment building. You can't knock on every door. So notices are posted in the elevators and entrances that everyone passes through. These days apps and announcements over the loudspeaker are used too, but paper is still the most reliable method. Another reason is emotional distance. Koreans dislike doing things that cause friction or make people angry. Rather than telling the people upstairs directly, "Please don't run around at night," you put up a note saying, "Thank you for your cooperation regarding noise between floors." A piece of paper is addressed to everyone, not just one person, so it's less awkward. ## Be sure to look up these words - **단수** (water outage): It means the water will be cut off. Fill up some water ahead of time. - **소독** (disinfection): It's the day they get rid of bugs. There are a lot of notices telling you to close your windows. - **Inspection**: It means they will check the elevators or the electricity. Even just reading the numbers for the date and time helps a lot. ## Try it right now If there is writing you don't understand, take a photo with your phone and put it into a translation app. If it is still difficult, show the photo to the management office. The management office takes care of the apartment complex's upkeep, so you can feel free to ask them anything.