Korean Job Discussion Forums

Dev · Joined: 18 Apr 2006

How many times have you seen Koreans battle their way through crowded buses and subways to get a seat and then get off only 2 or 3 stops later? I saw it this morning. I don't get it. I'd rather stand if I'm going such a short distance. Is there some sort of personal victory in Korea with securing a seat on a bus or train? Very Happy

sistersarah · Joined: 03 Jan 2004 Location: hiding out

when it comes to public transportation, koreans are like animals. i transfer at sindorim station every morning. it's scary.

Tommy · Joined: 24 Aug 2005

One day I was the only one standing on a subway with no free seats. As the train was approaching Gangnam, a bunch of people got up. Four seats open up right next to me and I've got my eye on the end seat. Excellent! As I walked towards it, people are exiting the train. Then as I turn around to sit my arse down, literally mid-way between sitting, this jacka$$ bursts through the crowd of exiters and rushes into the spot where I was about to sit! I was holding onto the rail, as people do when they are about to sit, and I'm pretty sure he ducked under my arm just to grab this seat! Why God, why?

I stared at this guy in shock. This was no 5-year old child - it was a grown man in his mid-20's. His actions were very childish and immature though. Then I sat in the seat next to him. Whatever dude.. I guess you win, you f*cking lunatic.

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

Thanks, Dev. It's about time someone had the wherewithal to broach this topic.

KOREAN_MAN · Joined: 01 Oct 2006

How about crossing the street? If they see the green light flickering they start running from 20 feet away as if they are being chased by Godzilla. Actually I think this behavior is due to the fact that Seoul is a very crowded place and everybody is so "competitive." I'm sure people who live outside Seoul are more relaxed.

cbclark4 · Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Location: Masan

Elevator Etiquette................

........................ don't get me started!!!

cbc

candide · Joined: 03 Oct 2006

Corporal · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

The flip side is the Koreans who block subway doors even though there is plenty of room to stand mid-car. I can't figure out the logic.

"Okay if I stand and block half the door, I won't have to walk from mid-car and I can get off quicker."

But they never extend the logic "By reducing the inflow/outflow from two abreast to single file, I'm doubling the loading/unloading time of the car. Each stop I'm losing an increasing amount of time. I might get off the car quicker when I reach my destination, but I'm increasing the travel time to destination."

theatrelily · Joined: 03 Jun 2004 Location: Haeundae-gu, Busan

Whenever I have to take the subway (which I rarely do anymore if I know the local buses...buses be praised) I always have to be prepared for when the train pulls in....

...get the anchor leg ready to steady myself against pushing and get the ajumma elbows out to block any upper body attacks...

...if I am feeling particularly antagonistic and at the front of the line I will have my elbows out to deter passing and walking onto the car as slow as possible just to piss the people behind me off...

It's childish, I know, but I get a bit of amusement out of hearing the frustrated mutterings of the people behind me when it takes them 10 seconds to get their seats as opposed to their usual 1.5. Laughing

R-Seoul · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Location: your place

What always gets me is in the elevator when people press the close-door button the moment people have got off at their floor. I mean what are you going to do with that extra 2.3 seconds you've saved in total huh? WHAT!? tell me i've got to know.

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

kimchi_pizza · Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2006 5:37 pm Post subject:

Ever notice your students literally become a blood-thirsty mob as they line up and race for the best seats on bus? They are the future so prepare yourselves. Me? I just smile and shake my head in amazement...

Just for the record, Japan's no better. Rush-hour in Tokyo? Forgetaboutit!!

R-Seoul · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Location: your place

And Shanghai is the worst of the lot; survival of the fittest demonstrated every rush in their subway.
Funnily enough when I was in Taipei i noticed that they actually had lanes painted on the platform floor to allow easy access to & from the train. I didn't experience rush hour there but most people seemed to be standing in line in an orderly fashion. First time I�ve seen this in Asia...

Dev · Joined: 18 Apr 2006