Korean Job Discussion Forums

ABC KID · Joined: 14 Sep 2007

This is a summary of a conversation I had with a Korean teacher a little while back...

When it comes to the roads in Korea the following applies:

1) Taxi drivers are kings of the road. They are the most powerful people out there.

2) The pecking order after that is totally decided by car size. In any situation where two cars meet head-on coming from opposite directions, the owner of the smallest car should yield, regardless of how inconvenient it is for them to manoeuvre and even if they clearly have the right of way.

3) For reasons given in point two, most Korean people are keen to buy as a big a car as possible.

Now I appreciate that it would be wrong to summarize one Korean person's views and generalize a whole nation but on the other hand I'm sure it wouldn't be too difficult to find a few Korean's that agree with him. It sure must be a steep learning curve for some Korean's when they start driving in other countries...

Whistleblower · Joined: 03 Feb 2007

I disagree. I was coming up a hill and some guy decided to cut the traffic in front and come head on to me. I didn't budge for about 2 minutes and what did he do? He decided to make as much noise as possible. I picked up a book and started to read. The cars behind me getting slightly annoyed joined in the noise. The driver eventually moved back to where he was initially and he let me out of the junction after blocking all the traffic from 3 ways for about 4 minutes.

He was pissed and what did I do in reply to moving back. I wound down the window and raised my thumb and said "Good job!" and went on my way. Funny as he was in an Equus (spelling????) and I drive an i30. Size doesn't matter, just patience.

ulsanchris · Joined: 19 Jun 2003 Location: take a wild guess

I've noticed that people in big cars do take the most liberties. I really hate them. the bigger the car the worse the driver it seems. Or rather the bigger the car the more inconsiderate the driver.

Lekker · Joined: 09 Feb 2008 Location: Seoul

Bigger the car, smaller the pee pee.

aerosmithfly · Joined: 10 Jan 2008

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

Sure seems that way, about taxis being king. I had a Kteacher say, "watch out for the taxis" once. They crawl, speed, loiter, u-turn, and honk (that is a few badasses). Wide berth as if encountering a lunatic behind the wheel.

It's good to keep in mind that the road hierarchy lowdown the OP encountered sometimes overides the laws, then WHAMO (if you're not careful). Expect the unexpected!

Whistleblower · Joined: 03 Feb 2007

I saw this in a traffic jam and lucky I had my camera to catch the action:

kiwiduncan · Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Location: New Zealand

I have far more respect for Koreans who drive a tiny Matiz than those arseholes in the SUVs. I've even seen a Hummer in Korea - in Apgujeong, surprise surprise.

Whistleblower · Joined: 03 Feb 2007

This is something else that really gets me angry, pushing in or joining a cue by passing the cue and going to the front. What is the point?

lucas_p · Joined: 17 Sep 2007

Grab the Chickens Levi · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Location: Ilsan

Paddycakes · Joined: 05 May 2003 Location: Seoul

The driving in Korea can be pretty funky owning to numerous factors: 1st generation driving culture, too many cars with too few space, etc.

But I've seen scarier driving... it ain't just Korea.

crusher_of_heads · Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 4:22 pm Post subject:

crusher_of_heads · Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 4:24 pm Post subject:

poet13 · Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 4:33 pm Post subject:

Big car, small what?