‘Nauseous riding elevator with cleaner’ complaint draws backlash

A resident's complaint about the smell of a cleaning worker in an apartment elevator in Incheon, South Korea, has ignited public anger. The resident reportedly expressed discomfort and disgust at sharing the elevator with the cleaning staff, citing an unpleasant odor.

In response to the complaint, the apartment's cleaning team leader issued a handwritten apology. The apology stated that the team would "thoroughly remind" staff and ensure they do not share elevators with residents. The leader also explained that cleaning staff work hard in difficult conditions, often with sweat-soaked uniforms, and that a lack of odor would be abnormal.

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Sorry. We will thoroughly remind them and educate them not to ride with residents.

The apology, intended to address the resident's concerns, instead drew widespread criticism online. Netizens condemned the resident's insensitive complaint and expressed sympathy for the cleaning worker, whose hard labor was being devalued. Many commenters suggested the complaining resident should use the stairs if bothered by the smell and criticized the management for apologizing to the resident instead of defending the worker.

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Please understand with a little more generous heart with a broad mind, even if it is uncomfortable, and we will work harder to do our best.