Korean Job Discussion Forums

[simone]

So I took the plunge and bought a cute little Atoz. Got a good deal on it, got a place to park near my apartment, and my mom is all ready to bring a baby seat with her when she comes in October.

Hubby's doing the driving for now, but basically, it's MY car. He'd much prefer to stay a motorcyclist, and even jokes about getting one of those little motorcycle baby seats that you see in SE Asia. As much as I want to be a laid-back non-germ obsessed mom, I'm putting my foot down on the motorcycle issue.

So we now have a car -and a valid Korean licence - the problem is, I'm just too nervous to drive it. I got my licence in Canada (in the Northwest Territories - not too heavy traffic there) and only drove in a small town in Ontario for a month or so. I'm absolutely not an "experienced driver".

Hubby is willing to "teach me to drive" again, but I think psychologically, it'll be better if it's a stranger. When I took lessons in Canada 10 years ago, I was glad to have a calm professional right there beside me.

So, does anyone know of anyone (professional instructor is preferred) who could give me some driving lessons? I'm in east Seoul but would be willing to go to other areas for this. I think I would only need a few hours on two or three weekends. Anyone know of an instructor who speaks a little english?

[IlIlNine]

You can pretty much forget about going to any of the Korean driving hagwons. They're useless -- and they people that come out of those schools can't drive.

So, unless you find a family friend or perhaps someone on the board here with a lot of experience - you're pretty much stuck doing by this yourself.

It needn't be too stressful. Some (fairly obvious) tips:

1) Don't start driving in the heart of seoul. get someone to drive the car out of the city and practice somehwere that's not nearly as crazy. Where do you live?

2) I know you have a job -- but don't practice during rush hour. It just sucks. Get up early morning on Saturday or Sunday (say 6am or so). It should be quite clear at that time.

3) Take your time. Don't be in a hurry to get into the thick of things. Build your confidence slowly.

4) Master parking. Unfortunately, you're going to have to park your little Atoz eventually. Quite often your only option is a tight parallel park or it may require some fancy manouvers in a parking garage. Try that stuff out in a empty-ish parking lot or something.

5) Obey the law. (especially at first) Yes, 10 taxis just ran the red light you're waiting at. (usually) They've got a lot of experience and know when it's 'ok' to run it. Don't even think about it until you've reached a high degree of experience. Wear your seatbelt.

6) No surprise moves. Signal everything. If you miss a turn, be patient - find another way - don't panic and try to cut people off.

7) Move your hands slowly when they're at the controls of the car. Be smooth.

put a big sign on the back of your car saying: "왕 초보" Flashing neon is best.

9) Give motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians lots of room. Getting into an accident with any of them leads to a lot of trouble.

10) Expect the unexpected. Constantly think of 'what if' scenerios (the crazier the better) while you're driving. Have an escape route. That bus up ahead? What would you do if it suddently U-turns into your lane?

[Col.Brandon]

[PeterDragon]

Seems like you could just take out a personal ad in some exPat rag/site--- "Re-teach me how to drive in korea". A lot expats have learned how to do it. I had a guy from Mexico help me relearn how to ride a motorcycle here.

Oh yeah, and in relation to "expect the unexpected"--- turn signals mean nothing. To figur out whether someone is turning and which direction they're actually going, ignore the signals and look at tha angle of their tires instead, whenever possible. Right of way also means almost nothing. Even when you clearly have the right of way, give yourself enough space and momentum to get to safety, should the other dirvers ignore your right of way.

And don't be intimidated or rattled by most horns. If someone's honking at you from behind or accross the intersection, it means that they're aware of you (and often trying to intimidate you).

[GoldMember]

Make sure you have lots of insurance!
Here's the deal, some ***hole driving a 200million won Mercedes, goes through a red light (breaks the law) and hits you. Your 5 million car is a write of and so is ***hole's car. Well despite the other guy breaking the law. You are still 20% liable.
20% of 200 million, you pay him 40 million
80% of 5 million, he pays you 4 million.
Do the math you are out 1 million on your car
40 million on your car. Total damage 41 million.
You receive a paltry 4 million.
You are out of pocket a total of 37 million, and the other guy flagrantly broke the law!!!
A British legal sysyem has a fundamental concept that law breakers are not to be rewarded.
This doesn't apply in Korea!
On top of that as a result of the accident, let's say you suffer intense back pain, that requires constant medication. Not a SINGLE WON for pain and suffering!

[Juregen]

[Juregen]

[GoldMember]

Yes it is true. You get money for your medical costs, BUT Nothing for pain and suffering.
You'll get money for the cost of pain killers, but for the hell you go through. NOTHING!

Pecuniary Damages do not apply in Korea, only Actual Damages!

[babtangee]

[mikowee]

[GoldMember]

But Wait there's more. You are obligated to pay the law breaker 40 mil, but your insurance, only covers you for 30mil. You don't have the 10 mil handy, and as a foreigner it is easy for you to skip the country. What can they do?, throw you in the slammer until you or someone comes up with the other 10 mil.
The red light runner (rich dude) is out on the streets running more red light, whilst you the innocent victim are sitting in a cell.
Great legal system huh?

[simone]

[contrarian]

Simone, just get out there and drive. Keep it simple and close to home for a spell.

You may or may not survive but the baby in the seat will.

[simone]

So hubby and I drove around for a while this morning - to Emart and back, and then across the river to my workplace and back. It was actually okay - but of course, at one point, he suggested I "practice changing lanes right now" but then we got too close to an intersection, and the car in front of me was stopping...

So I'm doing my gentle rolling stop but he's jumpy, so I'm hearing "brake! BRAKE! F*&$$ing BRAKE!!" (while I'm braking)....

Of course, I know he's trying his best to be patient with me, but it's really rough having your spouse teach you to drive, especially when you're 7 mos pregnant. Logically, rationally, I 100% agree with him and can understand his position, even argue it for him. But the fact remains that I'm also semi-posessed by this hormonal non-thinking being inside of me, and all she can hear is that "baby daddy is swearing at me". Poor guy... so I'm driving along and tears are sneaking out from behind my sunglasses, all the while my voice is calm and I'm chatting normally.

He really is the best - by this point, I've already gotten more "practice" than we set out to get, and he's sweetly trying to end the lesson on a positive note rather than just continuing straight home. He pulls out the magic words: "Do you want to go to Costco?"

By this point, though, I'm tired, the baby is kicking constantly, and I just want to sit in the aircon. Tomorrow, we'll go a little out of town and work on parking, and then maybe drive to Itaewon.

[contrarian]

My daughter and I did''t speak for several months after my first attempt at teaching her to drive.

When my wife and I were just married we did some major renovations on a house. It was nearly a very short marriage.