Korean Job Discussion Forums

xCustomx · Joined: 06 Jan 2006

I was riding a village (마을) bus this morning on a 3 lane highway. The driver was trying to merge over since the lane the bus was in was blocked off due to construction. Just as he was about to merge, a taxi in the lane to the left slammed on his brakes for no apparent reason and almost caused the driver to collide with the barricade blocking the lane we were in. This sent the bus driver into a rage screaming over and over again, even as a few middle school students got on at the next stop. Luckily for the driver he caught up to the taxi, opened the passenger door and started cussing out the taxi driver. A minute later the taxi sped up, swerved in front of the bus and slammed on his brakes. I braced for a huge collision since we were going about 60-70 km/hr, but the driver swerved the bus and came within inches of hitting the taxi. The bus driver then swerved back in front of the taxi and slammed on his brakes, parked the bus and blocked the taxi in. He jumped out of the bus and ran to confront the taxi driver, where a bunch of yelling and screaming ensued. Finally the bus driver got back on the bus and continued on, only to have the taxi speeed up, swerve back in front and speed off.

Worst case of road rage I've seen in Korea so far, but nothing compared to back in the States

khyber · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Compunction Junction

I like how you stayed on the bus.

steroidmaximus · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Location: GangWon-Do

the taxi driver was trying to get hit by the bus driver so he could get paid time off. Seen it happen a couple of times, and is why you shouldn't tailgate: guy slams on the brakes, you hit him, you're at fault and have to pay.

xCustomx · Joined: 06 Jan 2006

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

What, no fist fight? Weak!

ChuckECheese · Joined: 20 Jul 2006

No shooting? They didn't pull out their guns? Lame..... Razz

oneofthesarahs · Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Location: Sacheon City

ChuckECheese · Joined: 20 Jul 2006

I'd love to see a bus driver intentionally run over a taxi.

Doogie · Joined: 19 Jan 2006 Location: Hwaseong City

Reminds me of an incident I experienced last year. Another bus had cut off the bus I was in. The driver in my bus was furious. Afterwards, both buses stopped at a red light and both drivers started screaming at each other. Well, next thing you know, they're out of their buses and fists are flying. They were just wailing away on each other. The people on both buses were just staring in disbelief. Finally, a number of Korean men (passengers) got out and broke up the fight. Talk about behaving unprofessionally.

Gord · Joined: 25 Feb 2003

The_Conservative · Joined: 15 Mar 2007

ChuckECheese · Joined: 20 Jul 2006

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

I was in a taxi in Daejeon once and the driver did something to anger this 30ish dude in an SUV. The SUV guy pulls up next to the driver at the red light, driver rolls down his window, and SUV guy chews him out, face all red, spit flying, at least 2 minutes. I was in shock as the 50ish taxi driver just looked at the guy and didn't make any response. I rolled down my window and grinned at SUV guy to unnerve him, but he was adamant!

SuperFly · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Location: In the doghouse

Thumbnail Postermonkey · Joined: 24 Jul 2006

"Professional" drivers have all sorts of smack and smack-down coming their way...I recall being in a taxi coming from Kangnam a few years ago and the taxi driver ( a younger dude) cut off an Equus in the middle of an intersection. Once the Equus caught up, windows were rolled down and words were passed. No more than 3 minutes later, both vehicles came to a halt along the road, and everyone got out of the Equus...idiot taxi man got out too. More words were passed and then 2 guys from the big black car began to beat the taxi man. In the meantime, 2 other guys from the big black car stood at the rear passenger doors and kept my friend and I from getting out to help or otherwise. (Like we would!) They beat the taxi man unconscious and came back to the taxi.

Needless to say, I was making my peace with God and getting ready for a good fight or a good run....but they excused themselves, took some money from the taxi and got back into their car. They drove away. My friend and I left a little cash for the fare (sitting at about 40 bucks by the time all was said and done) and we caught another taxi about 500 m. down the road.

I still chuckle when I think about the lessons I learned that evening. Needless to say, I drive rarely in this country and I stopped taking taxis all together after a while.