Criticism of Illegal Dumping with "If You're a Beggar, Act Like One"... Controversy Over Public Notice in Rental Housing

"I Just Have No Money... Are Other Residents Rich?"
Anger Over Cigarette Butt Littering: "Save on Cleaning Service Costs"
"It's Disgusting" vs "They Must Have Been Desperate" Netizens Debate

Controversial notice inside an LH public rental housing. Photo by Online Community Capture

A person identified as the head of the tenant association in a rental housing complex sparked controversy by using the word 'geoji' (beggar) in a derogatory manner towards the residents.

On the 1st, a notice posted in an online community showed a public announcement from an LH public rental housing complex. The author of the notice identified themselves as the tenant association head. They began by saying, "Isn't it very tiring during this hot summer?" and continued, "Honestly, I am a 'geoji' with no money and no home. That's why I came here with the help of the government." They then questioned, "Are all the other residents wealthy, owning homes elsewhere, and only I am a 'geoji'?" in a self-deprecating manner.

The tenant association head stated, "I am trying hard to save even a little on apartment maintenance fees for all of us, or at least for myself," and explained, "The point of this message is about 'cigarettes.' Anyone can smoke, but if cigarette butts are discarded anywhere, who will clean them up? It is the 'cleaning service'." They continued, "Do you know how many cleaning service workers our apartment has? Does LH pay for that cleaning service?" and urged, "Even if you smoke, please do not throw cigarette butts on the apartment complex grounds. If you are a 'geoji' who came here because you do not own a home, I politely ask you to live frugally, saving even a little money, like a 'geoji' should." They concluded by adding, "It is shameful if a geoji is selfish."

From the content of the notice, it can be inferred that residents living in the rental housing were discarding cigarette butts carelessly after smoking, resulting in cleaning service costs. It appears that the tenant association head posted the notice to inform residents and encourage them to correct their behavior.

Netizens who saw this reacted with comments such as "It is irrational and ignorant," "The writing is filled with derogation and hate," and "The expression was wrong, but I understand the intention behind the message."