Etiquette Bells and Intercoms

I know I am almost beating a dead horse with this but the things that go on in this country! Two major experiences in the last few days that only my "true" friends and family might enjoy. The first was a major happening today. In some of the public restrooms, at least in Daejeon, there is something called and etiquette bell. I mean ya just have to wonder what an etiquette bell does and why it would be there of all places. Really. Then if you are like me you become afraid of what the button might do. Curiosity turns into moments of complete panic. Oh the agony of wondering! THIS is when it is nice to have a new and curious friend just down the way who has no qualms whatsoever about pushing said button. You can go about your day in a rather normal fashion and still find out what it does. So here is the deal. If you are shy about what goes on in a public restroom you may push this button and it will play tranquil and soothing background music to whatever it is that you are doing. I am not sure really if it is for your benefit or for those around you. It does not however seem to emit any sort of odor cloaking spray. Perhaps this is something that needs further research. I for one, am still a little afraid of pushing red buttons in a foreign land.
On the right is the intercom system that most of the apartments here in Korea have. I can't tell you what it does because I am still learning my alphabet and words and all. What I do know is that one day my wall started singing to me and a quite pleasant voice from a Korean Lady came wafting into my apartment. At first I wasn't sure if someone was trying to call me because she hesitated after her greeting. So I cautiously move towards the wall and realize it is this intercom that is talking to me. Mind you I have NO clue what she says. She seems enthused by hearing herself of something and goes on for quite a bit. Just as I start wondering if I should be worried, she stops talking and some nice exit music plays, and all is right with the world again. I have since found out that this has happened to a number of residents in various apartments. The phrase commonly heard is "Are your walls talking to you?" Sadly nobody knows what any of our walls are saying so I took initiative to ask one of my students. She simply smiled at the poor new teacher and said that is was normally just announcements about what is going on in the building but adding the kicker...."but sometimes it is to tell you that the building is on fire." Awesome! I would hope the intercom lady would be a little more persistent about a fire situation. Move that word up to memorization status. The thing that you have to understand about kids in Korea is most of them don't say things to teachers to mess with them. They are just answering your questions. So now I live in a place where walls talk and toilets sing. Yup, this is going to be an interesting couple of years.