Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Julius]

Drivers that rev at you when you cross in front of their car.

Can't a pedestrian be allowed the simply dignity of crossing the road when the light is green?

[jfromtheway]

Bus behavior towards the 'gukin. I ride three different buses throughout the day here. I almost always get a seat due to the particular times of my journeys and the locations where I get on. On full buses, I've had people, always old people, run up to the empty seat, only to awkwardly hesitate, change their mind, and choose to stand when they see a white guy sitting there. Don't get me wrong, 90+% of the people don't really care and plop down beside me after a long day of work, likely not giving a damn who's there. Especially younger women, they fight fight for that seat.

But, when the bus is 3/4 full and all of the single seats are taken, as I approach the double seats containing only one passenger (or the back row), everyone with an open seat beside them fixates on me with some deer in the headlights fear that I'm going to choose to sit there. It's not a big deal but it irks me at times, since one is usually most disgruntled in the morning or right after work. Korean women have told me that it's because they are afraid I'm going to try to speak to them in English, but I don't buy that. I always have headphones on anyway. To make myself feel better, I always choose to sit beside the person who looks the most afraid of me.

[Son Deureo!]

People deliberately bumping into me so they can get to their destination 5 seconds faster. There are all kinds of things I've gotten used to here, but that's one I don't think I'll ever be OK with.

[nathanrutledge]

People posting Off Topic forum material in the General Forum.

[Skippy]

Sort of event. I can tolerate many things here, but something sticking in craw lately is parking.

Ok I understand parking in Korea is hard. Finding a place to park can be difficult. I understand people want to save money and park on sidewalks and in any free space. I most of the time will accept it and go on with my life. This is what happens in Korea. Same with double parking. But if you are going to park on the sidewalk or in front of a walk way, please for the love of Sejong be a touch practical in positioning.

For example, on the walk on my way to school is a little path area the gets me from a side street to a major sidewalk. It is quite big. But about 25 percent of the time two cars are parked blocking the entrance very close together. I do not mind walking between a car, but if I have to literally turn and scoot through between two cars getting myself dirty or worry about scratching the cars with my bag - NO. Or have to crawl over a garbage heap or rock pile on the side of the path - also NO. When cars are parked like that I have to go an extra block get around it around.

Just asking be practical if you can in your parking. See if where you are blocking and entrance to someplace or will make some one walk through garbage, traffic, or obstacles. Just leave enough room for to get around you vehicle. Because next time I am thinking of starting to carry a jagged piece of metal to hold while I go by.

[Julius]

[Gorf]

Spitting. I mean, I know the air here sucks, but it's rampant like nowhere I've ever seen before... and I've been to Costa Rica.

[denverdeath]

[Skippy]

[Konglishman]

For me, the most irritating thing is when ajummas are chewing gum loudly. It drives me nuts. I hate the sound of gum being chewed.

So, when an ajumma sits down next to me on the subway while engaging in this act against humanity, I often find myself compelled to go elsewhere on the train even if there is no other seat available.

[tardisrider]

[adzee1]

On the subject of drivers... people beeping their horn when I take a step into the street to cross it, often they are on the other side of the road and the cars are always a perfectly safe distance away, they cant comprehend I am not about to throw myself into their path.

I had one old lady who screeched to a halt, waited for me to cross and started beeping her horn while she was about 20 metres away from me.

[Zyzyfer]

Having recently become a driver once again, I can't stand it when you try to merge into another lane and the cars in that lane do anything to stay in front of you.

Idiots who drive in two lanes.

Morons who pull out into traffic suddenly and then proceed to drive at a snail's pace.

Lack of turn signal usage.

[DIsbell]

People calling out "hey!" or "Hello! Hello!" when I go for a run (with my shirt on, for reference). When it's a real little kid I try not to get too bothered by it, but if it's a kid older than 8 or 9 years old it definitely bugs me. I know the little brat more than likely has a class with a whitey once a week, and then possibly more often at their hagwon too, so acting like a country bumpkin just isn't cute or funny. I'm just at the point, having been here over 2.5 years, where it's just gotten so damn old.

Your first week, you feel like a celebrity when a group of little kids wave and say hello, but that changes after the 100th time, haha.

Strangely, and only while running, adjeossis have the best manners. If you pass by, they may give you a wave or a "Fighting!", which is much more appropriate as at least we're sharing some activity, if only in passing. It's nice etiquette, I think.

[Squire]

Kids shouting hello definitely ranks up there.

Not on the same level, but that horrible kimchi smell on buses is particularly unpleasant in the morning. I don't take the bus any more but I walked past a bus with it's doors open a few days ago and got a blast of it. Not nice.