I have been melting the past few weeks.

It is SO HOT this summer! It’s like the world has turned into one giant sauna! Anyway, we all know that not only does heat make everyone grumpy and tired, but some of us are champion sweat producers. And that’s not a skill we really want to show off.

So here are some tips for beating the heat in Korea! (Feel free to adapt them to your locale.)

1. Chill with the senior citizens in the nearest underground shopping center.

Be sure to bring a mat to sit on and some snacks to eat/share with your neighbors. Cards or a chess board would also probably be a good idea. Who knows how many friends you could make?

2. Camp out at the nearest hyper-air conditioned cafe.

Instead of paying high tax rates on your electric bill, hop onto theirs! If anyone tries to pressure you to leave by standing uncomfortably close to your table, just give them the stink eye. As long as you keep your (empty) cup on your table, you have dibs.

3. Go to a furniture store and chill on a sofa and/or bed.

This seems to be a popular option for those who aren’t in the mood for an iced coffee.

4. Carry a hand fan at all times.

This is a must. Hand fans > hands. And you never know when you may end up waiting at one of those subway platforms that is neither air-conditioned nor breezy. Trust me, you will be glad for this piece of advice then.

5. Buy a thick curtain for your bedroom window and keep it closed at all times.

This is step one in how-to-transform-your-bedroom-into-a-cave. Like the ones bears probably hide in when it’s hot. (Step two: Turn on the air conditioning unit.) Why lay out on the beach or bother walking to a cafe when you can hide in your very own room like a hibernating bear?

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Hope this helps you all stay cool, not grumpy, and relatively sweat-free! Feel free to share additional tips below! 😉

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