Korean Job Discussion Forums

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Sure I could write a bunch of bad stuff here, but lets focus on the positive. This is what I like about using the subway in Korea:

I like that Koreans que up in the longest lines leaving the shorter lines empty. Everytime I use the subways, there are sometimes several different routes to use and most Koreans kind of que up in this giant mass of humanity trying to use the same one. I just take the alternative route and bypass them all with almost no one clued into doing that same quicker, efficient and cleared of people route.

I also like using the spot where you feed your tickets to get into or out of the subway. There is always one empty one while about 10 Koreans are trying to use the same one or two. The free and available one is always sitting there completely unnoticed - nice for me yet again.

Oh and the other thing I like is when you are standing in line to get your ticket.. there is always some person in the line who despite having stood in line for 5 minutes just doesn't seem to have his/her money prepared when they are actually at the window itself. I found this to be an opportune time to throw my 1000 won note up there before him/her in true Korean style leaving everyone else in line wondering how in the hell I did that which adds a lot of personal pleasure to my subway ride.

camel96 · Guest

And you can entertain yourself for hours copying that bird chirping noise that's made when you're pulling into a stop.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

mishlert · Joined: 13 Mar 2003 Location: On the 3rd rock from the sun

More times than none I've noticed that when when a subway train arrives and it gets packed to the gills, the next one arrives a couple of minutes later with seats galore.
So, whenever this happens, and I'm in no real hurry I just wait for the next train knowing it will be "empty".

Dan · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Sunny Glendale, CA

If your not using a Pass card, then you are just a subway noob.

Squid · Joined: 25 Jul 2003 Location: Sunny Anyang

Passcard is the biz.

The announcement blares: PLEASE STAND BEHOIND THE YELLOW LOIN

So I do, whilst wondering where railing push-ups man parked his spaceship.

Very few weirdos scores highly on my chart also.

Plenty more but less time.

Squid

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

What I like about the subway?

The seat next to the waegook is always the last one taken. More ball-room for me. Cool

I can do the full ajeossi spread-eagle move.

Cthulhu · Joined: 02 Feb 2003

ratslash · Joined: 08 May 2003

people are sometimes sheep. we are classed as a herd animal. this is very much evidenced in korea. people queue when they have no reason to queue in this country. people flock together when they have no reason to flock together.

kiwiboy_nz_99 · Joined: 05 Jul 2003 Location: ...Enlightenment...

Yeah, people often get up to move away from me when a seat becomes available, no complaints from me on that one!

Dan · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Sunny Glendale, CA

you guys are propagating racism. when they stand up to get away from you, you should yell, "DON'T YOU KNOW THAT IS A RACIST THING TO DO, NOW SIT YOUR ASS BACK DOWN AND HOG ALL THE ROOM WHILE I TRY MY BEST NOT TO MAKE PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH YOUR UPPER THIGH AND ARMS!!!"

mishlert · Joined: 13 Mar 2003 Location: On the 3rd rock from the sun

90% of the people that get up when I sit next to them exit the train when it stops. The other 10%? Racist? Saw a friend? Who knows, and frankly, who really cares.

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

I like that I am big and when some adjuma tries to go head to head with me, she gets run over like a doggie in the street.

I also laugh at the # of people who won't wait for the next train. If it is packed, I wait and the next train usually has more room.

I also love my skill at seeing an empty seat before I get on the subway and doing some ninja dodging to get it before the local adjuma does.

Holyjoe · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Location: Away for a cuppa

I've got my usual subway route planned to minimise walking time on the platform - I've now learned (thanks to the ever helpful numbers on the edge of the platform) which cars are the closest to the best stairways to get in and out of the station Smile

Sad? Me?

On a subway-related point, has the Gangnam subway station been 'decorated' recently? I noticed dark blue arrows painted on the walls that I previously remembered to be plain white (or a dirty cream colour anyway). Then again, I'm usually doing the "subway snooze" on the way through Gangnam having used all the other tricks mentioned here to get myself a seat Very Happy