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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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atwood
Joined: 26 Dec 2009
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 Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2015 5:31 pm Post subject: |
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| Steelrails wrote: |
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| Steelrails - I disagree. I don't need a car. I will not drive a car in Korea because *I* don't feel safe and calm behind the wheel of a car in this country. I do not look down on others that drive, but rather applaud their bravery. In addition, I'm also happy that I don't have a car for the sake of saving energy, but I still don't look down at others. What others do is their own choice and will defend their right to freedom of choice. |
Well, if you are one of the 1 out of 100, then fine.
But like I said, life experience has taught me that usually people who say those kinds of things say them because they lack the personal wealth to make it happen. Heck, even if they do have the means to buy a decent used or new car they might not, which is almost there, but then you drop a FREE car (company car- they can't sell it) on their laps and they'd start driving too. All it takes is that one day of pouring rain and kids you don't want to catch cold and have to take care of for the next 5 days and you are throwing them in that car and driving to piano lessons. Then that 1 day becomes the next day becomes a habit.
People who have wealth and talk about pollution and energy generally end up buying a Prius or a Tesla, not refusing the automobile altogether. They get solar cells on their rooftop, not give up the internet and TV. Those that don't have the wealth still use their computers and refrigerators but make excuses and for big things they can't afford, claim some lofty purpose. 95% of the time, its because someone doesn't want to spend the money on a car. But people will admit to that only like, 5% of the time. Meanwhile 95% of the time you'll hear some lofty reason about "I believe in public transportation" or "We need clean air maaaannnnn". Of course these same people bum rides from you and ask for help moving. But yes, there are legitimates and if you are one, I apologize.
Also, driving may be stressful here, but it ain't THAT bad. It's not some sort of GTA style free for all. I don't flip out every time I drive. On my runs to the grocery store, maybe 35~50% of the time? High definitely, but not unlivable. Highway driving is pretty chill aside from the traffic jams. Heck, driving on the 35 between Jinju and Changwon is paradise. Real nice highway.
The only thing I'd say is that if you suffered from bad road rage back home, driving here might well put you over the edge. Otherwise, just put on some chill music and drive nice and easy. Someone cuts you off? Just let em slide through and keep on groovin to the beat. It's the GPS and road design that will sometimes cause you to flip out as it loses which road you are on and give you faulty and unclear directions and put you in a crazy loop that takes an hour to get out of. |
There are many, many more people living reduced lifestyles because they want to rather than they need to than the 5% you conjecture.
Here's a good example: www.mrmoneymustache.com
Another is diehards.org
As for living without a car in the U.S. that's tough to do in most places. So yes it's a Prius or Tesla or Volt or it's a used Civic, Subaru etc. instead of the BMWs et al that lots of those people could afford.
But the increasing popularity of Uber and like services shows that lots of people don't want to own a car if it's not absolutely necessary.
Even though you've been a, well, no reason to review your resume, it's simple-minded to use your personal experience as a one size fits all argument. You argue vehemently against such views regarding SK, yet use them quite frequently, i.e., the manners thread where you use the ONE school you attended as proxy for every school in the U.S. |
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tophatcat
Joined: 09 Aug 2006
Location: under the hat
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| Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2015 9:02 pm Post subject: |
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IKEA. They better be prepared to fork over much of their profits to appease the competition. Get out the white envelopes or get out of Korea. |
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tophatcat
Joined: 09 Aug 2006
Location: under the hat
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| Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2015 3:46 am Post subject: |
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| IKEA will increase parking space to accomodate 3500 vehicles. Presently, there are 2000 spaces. It will also reduce free parking time from 5 hours down to 3 hours. |
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Cave Dweller
Joined: 17 Aug 2014
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 1:36 am Post subject: |
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Maybe they should provide pamphlets to customers teaching them how to drive like human beings.
| tophatcat wrote: |
| IKEA will increase parking space to accomodate 3500 vehicles. Presently, there are 2000 spaces. It will also reduce free parking time from 5 hours down to 3 hours. |
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greatunknown
Joined: 04 Feb 2010
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| Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 12:43 pm Post subject: |
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As of fairly recently I am a car owner in Korea, I have to say it hasnt improved my quality of life much at all. My wifes parents gave us their old Hyundai Accent and we almost never use it except for the occasional trip to Costco. Before we had the car we got to Costco in the same amount of time by subway and just got a taxi home.
I live very close to a subway station, my work, my bank, my grocery store and, many other convieniences. Walking is just fine for me. I must be part of the rare 5% Steelrails mentioned.
Back home I always needed a car. |
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Who's Your Daddy?
Joined: 30 May 2010
Location: Victoria, Canada.
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| Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 12:52 pm Post subject: |
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| ^There's a big difference depending on where one lives in Korea. To not own a car in rural Korea would be like not having a house. |
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