Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Qinella]

Since Dave's ESL Cafe is apparently the best place to go if you'd like to communicate a message to Koreans at large, I thought I'd post this here.

__________________________


Dear Korean with a vehicle,

I have been a driver in Korea now for about three months. I drive an otobaiee, aka moped. I feel like a lot of times, the Korean drivers around me are being too polite, and afraid to take liberties with their vehicles. I've devised a list of suggestions for you, to make your driving experience more pleasant.


1. There's no reason to give me so much space. I find that a lot of drivers will steer clear of me, and provide me with way too much room to myself. I'm on a moped, remember. I don't need much room. It's okay if you want to change lanes right onto me, because I can squeeze over to the edge of the lane, or even slow down a bit for you.

2. If we're at a red light waiting to turn left or go straight, you shouldn't be afraid to use your horn. That's what it's there for. Sometimes my mirrors aren't working properly, and I need to know you are behind me and feeling anxious. Go ahead and give that horn a little toot. It helps me remember to be thankful that I'm not deaf, also.

3. When you're on a back road coming up onto a main road, you don't need to be so cautious merging in. Most of you come to a complete stop before the front of your vehicle intrudes into the lanes of the main road. This is completely unnecessary. I don't mind if you come barrelling through at normal speed, oncoming traffic be damned. It gives me the chance to test my brakes out, as well as my reflexes.

4. If you find yourself next to me at a red light, waiting for it to change, it's a good opportunity for you to roll down your window and look at me. No need to say hello or smile. Just stare at me. I know you want to. Go for it!

5. Taxi drivers: after you've slammed on your brakes in the middle of traffic to pick someone up, you can feel free to hit the gas and merge back into traffic regardless of who's behind or beside you. That's no problem. We all have brakes, and all of us are driving vehicles that can turn.

6. Finally, you should learn to look at driving as a competition, especially in Seoul. One of the main purposes of driving is to prove to yourself that you can get the best pole position at the next red light. So don't stop yourself from using any maneuver to your advantage to get to that next red light faster. It's the only respectable thing to do.


Yours truly,
Pwnella

[Ya-ta Boy]

I heartily endorse the above.

[doggyji]

Glad I'm not driving in Korea. A translation for you. Spread it if you want.


Dear Korean with a vehicle,
친애하는 한국의 운전자 여러분,

I have been a driver in Korea now for about three months. I drive an otobaiee, aka moped. I feel like a lot of times, the Korean drivers around me are being too polite, and afraid to take liberties with their vehicles. I've devised a list of suggestions for you, to make your driving experience more pleasant.

저는 약 세 달 동안 한국에서 운전을 해왔습니다. 오토바이를 몰죠. 저는 한국의 운전자 여러분들이 자신의 차를 모는데 너무나도 예의바르고 굉장히 조심스럽다고 자주 느꼈습니다. 여러분들의 운전을 더욱 유쾌하게 하기위한 몇가지 제언들을 모아봤습니다.


1. There's no reason to give me so much space. I find that a lot of drivers will steer clear of me, and provide me with way too much room to myself. I'm on a moped, remember. I don't need much room. It's okay if you want to change lanes right onto me, because I can squeeze over to the edge of the lane, or even slow down a bit for you.

1. 저에게 그렇게 많은 공간을 주실 이유가 없습니다. 많은 운전자들이 저를 피해 멀리 돌아가는 것을 느꼈습니다. 아시다시피, 저는 오토바이를 탑니다. 그렇게 많은 공간이 필요하지 않습니다. 바로 제가 있는 곳으로 차선 변경을 해도 괜찮습니다. 차선 끝으로 아슬하게 비키거나 약간 속도를 늦출 수 있습니다.


2. If we're at a red light waiting to turn left or go straight, you shouldn't be afraid to use your horn. That's what it's there for. Sometimes my mirrors aren't working properly, and I need to know you are behind me and feeling anxious. Go ahead and give that horn a little toot. It helps me remember to be thankful that I'm not deaf, also.

2. 빨간 불에서 좌회전이나 직진 신호를 기다리고 있을 때 뒤에서 경적 울리기를 주저하지 마세요. 경적은 사용하라고 있는 것입니다. 가끔 제 백미러가 제대로 보이지 않을 때 당신이 뒤에 있다는 것을 알고 불안해 할 필요가 있습니다. 경적을 울리세요. 제가 귀머거리가 아니라는 것을 일깨워주기도 하는 고마운 일입니다.


3. When you're on a back road coming up onto a main road, you don't need to be so cautious merging in. Most of you come to a complete stop before the front of your vehicle intrudes into the lanes of the main road. This is completely unnecessary. I don't mind if you come barrelling through at normal speed, oncoming traffic be damned. It gives me the chance to test my brakes out, as well as my reflexes.

3. 진입로에서 주도로로 진입할 때, 그토록 주의를 기울이실 필요가 없습니다. 대부분의 경우, 자신의 자동차가 주도로의 차선으로 삐져나오기 전에 완벽하게 멈추시더군요. 전혀 그럴 필요가 없습니다. 속도를 줄이지 말고 그대로 진입해서 다가오는 차량에 위협을 주셔도 좋습니다. 그건 제 브레이크가 얼마나 잘 작동하는 지와 제 운동 신경을 확인할 수 있는 좋은 기회입니다.


4. If you find yourself next to me at a red light, waiting for it to change, it's a good opportunity for you to roll down your window and look at me. No need to say hello or smile. Just stare at me. I know you want to. Go for it!

4. 빨간 불에서 신호 변경을 기다리며 옆에 서 있을 때, 그건 창문을 내리고 저를 쳐다볼 수 있는 좋은 기회입니다. 인사를 하거나 웃을 필요는 없습니다. 그냥 뚫어지게 쳐다보세요. 마음껏!


5. Taxi drivers: after you've slammed on your brakes in the middle of traffic to pick someone up, you can feel free to hit the gas and merge back into traffic regardless of who's behind or beside you. That's no problem. We all have brakes, and all of us are driving vehicles that can turn.

5. 택시 기사님들: 승객을 태우기 위해 아무때나 급정거를 하신 다음에 언제든지 다시 마음껏 가속해서 주행하세요. 뒤에 누가 오고 있는지는 전혀 신경 쓰실 필요가 없습니다. 전혀 문제가 안됩니다. 우리 모두 브레이크가 달린 차량을 몰고 있고 보통 회전도 가능하죠.


6. Finally, you should learn to look at driving as a competition, especially in Seoul. One of the main purposes of driving is to prove to yourself that you can get the best pole position at the next red light. So don't stop yourself from using any maneuver to your advantage to get to that next red light faster. It's the only respectable thing to do.

6. 마지막으로, 운전을 하나의 경쟁으로 보는 법을 배우셔야 합니다. 특히 서울에서. 운전의 기본 목적 중 하나는 다음 빨간 불에서 최고의 자리를 차지할 수 있는 능력이 있는지 보여주는 것입니다. 수단과 방법을 가리지 말고 빠르게 다음 신호에 도달하세요. 존경 받을만한 일입니다.


Yours truly,
Pwnella

[doggyji]

Sorry.

[Dev]

How about, Dear Korean Without A Vehicle?,

You are far too considerate to strangers in public spaces.

1) Having a conversation right in the middle of the sidewalk is a very logical and pleasant thing to do. After all, this space doesn't belong to anybody, so yoou might as well use it. If people need to pass you, there's still about two feet of either side of you and your friend, so what's the problem?

2) Please don't hesitate to spit wherever and whenever you like. The funny sounds you make while doing it give people so much joy and put smiles on eveybody's faces. "Hey, did you hear that one? Wow! He sounds just like a vacuum!" And the kids just love looking atthe sidewalk to judge which blob of spit is the largest. Keep on spitting. It gives us so much amusement.

3) When you see a foreigner, talk about him in Korean as loud as you please. Most foreigners love the attention especially without saying "Hello" or bowing. Don't worry about the foreigners that don't like all the attention. They're stupid and can't understand what you're saying anyway.

4) When I get out of elevators, please don't wait for me to get out before you come in. I know that 3 or 4 seconds lost from your life is so valuable and can never be replaced. I can take a bump or try to figure out how to move around you.


Dear Qinella, I wrote this to say that we all feel your pain. To everybody else, don't take any of these posts too seriously. We're whining, but whining with a smile.

[diver]

Dear Korean Driver,

Please don't.

Love and kisses,

Diver

PS: Really. Don't.

[Woland]

Now this isn't satire; this is just humor.

For the record.

[Natalia]

For this part of the world, Korean drivers are actually really rather good....

[Qinella]

[vlcupper]

[indytrucks]

Whilst certainly not the worst I've seen, Korean drivers in large part are pretty poor. Every day, I am witness to at least three acts of monumental idiocy driving on the roads here.

[doggyji]

[Qinella]

[Qinella]

Yeah actually I think Korean drivers are better than American drivers, or I should clarify that as Floridian drivers. People in Florida drive like maniacs. It's much more peaceful to drive in Korea.

But I know that the Korea Herald is running short of ideas for stories, so I'm trying to give them a boost you know. Just doing my duty.

[Dev]