A jobless scientist in South Korea with a doctorate in physics applied for a street sweeper’s job but failed the physical test, local officials said last Tuesday.
The 36-year-old was among 63 applicants — 11 of them university graduates — for five openings in Seoul. But brawn overcame brains as far as the scientist was concerned.
Applicants had to carry two sandbags each weighing 20kg over their shoulders to simulate stacking garbage bags, before dashing back and forth over 25 meters with another sandbag on their shoulder.
PHOTO: EPA
The scientist, identified only as Kim, was three seconds too slow in the dash, Chung Young-Ik, an official in charge, told AFP.
“I carded in poor results,” a dejected Kim told journalists.
The district office said an average 12.6 people vied for each sweeper’s job this year compared to eight last year.
The 33 million won (NT$807,000) average starting salary for a sweeper is more than fresh graduates earn in large businesses, Chung said. The job is also very secure, allowing people to work until they turn 60.
(AFP)
南韓官員上週二表示，一名擁有物理學博士學位的失業科學家跑去應徵清道夫的工作，卻未能通過體能測驗。
首爾市招考五名清道夫，有六十三人前來應徵，其中包括這名三十六歲的失業科學家及十一名大學畢業生。但就這名科學家來說，體力比腦力更重要。
應徵者得搬運兩個各二十公斤重的沙包模擬堆放垃圾袋後，再扛一個沙包折返跑二十五公尺。
主管官員張榮益（音譯）向法新社表示，這名姓金的科學家在折返跑項目中比規定時間慢了三秒。
心情低落的金向記者表示：「我成績不理想，未能錄取。」
地區官員表示，相較於去年的八人，今年則是平均每十二點六人爭取一個清道夫的職缺。
張榮益說，清道夫的平均年薪三千三百萬韓元（新台幣八十萬七千元）起跳，比在大企業工作的大學畢業新鮮人還高。這個工作也是個鐵飯碗，可以一直做到六十歲才退休。
（法新社�翻譯：林倩如）
A: The news says comic superstar Snoopy’s birthday is coming soon on Aug. 10. B: So he’s a Leo, and his birthday will fall on this Sunday. A: Cartoonist Charles Schulz created the comic strip Peanuts, featuring Snoopy, in 1950. And this year marks the character’s 75th anniversary. B: No wonder there are some big celebrations in Japan, Hong Kong and elsewhere. How about Taiwan? A: The “How Do You Do, Snoopy?” exhibition is taking place in Taipei. Let’s go to Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Department Store’s A11 branch to see the show. A: 新聞說，卡通巨星史努比的生日是8月10日耶。 B: 原來史努比是獅子座，本週日就是他的生日。 A: 漫畫家查爾斯舒茲1950年在《花生》漫畫創造了該角色，今年正好歡慶75週年！ B:
When you think of the Netherlands, images of tulips, windmills, and iconic wooden shoes — known as “Dutch clogs” — may come to mind. These traditional shoes are rich in cultural significance. For centuries, Dutch clogs have been admired for their sturdy design and impressive craftsmanship, making them a fascinating symbol of Dutch heritage. Dutch clogs date back to the Middle Ages. During that time, farmers and laborers needed durable shoes to cope with the region’s damp and unpredictable climate and topography. Crafted from solid wood, such as willow or poplar, clogs offered outstanding protection. Their firm structure kept
A: Apart from the “How Do You Do, Snoopy?” exhibition, the Penghu International Fireworks Festival displayed some Snoopy-themed balloon installation art. B: The Yilan International Children’s Folklore & Folkgame Festival also displayed a giant rubber “Snoopy Duck.” A: And Starbucks, Kura Sushi and 7-Eleven are all selling Snoopy-themed products. B: Starlux Airlines even launched new Snoopy-themed flights recently. Isn’t that cool? A: Taiwanese love Snoopy so much. Happy 75th birthday, Snoopy. A: 除了《How Do You Do, Snoopy?花生漫畫75週年特展》，澎湖海上花火節展出了史努比氣球裝置藝術。 B: 而宜蘭國際童玩藝術節，則展出了巨型「史努比鴨」。 A: 星巴克、藏壽司、7-Eleven也推出了史努比聯名商品。 B: 星宇航空今年更推出全新「Snoopy主題航班」，很酷吧？ A: 台灣人好愛史努比啊，75歲生日快樂！
Whale sharks are the largest species of fish in the world. They aren’t related to whales, but take their name due to their enormous size. At full maturity, whale sharks measure around nine or 10 meters long and can weigh from 15,000 to 40,000 kilograms. Whale sharks live in warm waters, with about 75% of them found in the Indo-Pacific region. They can migrate thousands of kilometers to different feeding grounds, but at a slow speed of 5 km/h on average. Whale sharks have a broad, flat head and are typically brown or gray in color. Their distinguishing characteristic
RSS