Site Search:
 
Speak Korean Now!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Korean sidewalks - why are they so poorly made?
Goto page Previous  1, 2, 3  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> General Discussion Forum
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Ilsanman



Joined: 15 Aug 2003
Location: Bucheon, Korea

PostPosted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Part of the reason is probably all the heavy trucks and motorcycles always driving on the sidewalk. Illegally I might add.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
caniff



Joined: 03 Feb 2004
Location: All over the map

PostPosted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I prefer the spongy sidewalks, especially when they have pictures on them (many do). I wonder what the planned obsolescence period is for those?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Cheonmunka



Joined: 04 Jun 2004

PostPosted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 12:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My mother sued her local council in South Australia. She tripped on a stone sticking out and the fall injured her internally.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
climber159



Joined: 02 Sep 2007

PostPosted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 3:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don't disagree that there is plenty to complain about in Korea. Of the few things I think thy are doing right one is allowing a higher level of assumed risk to persist. Just watch where you're going when you're on the sidewalk and you'll be fine. If you''re walking and talking on your phone, watching DMB, trying to eat your bondaegi, or any combination of the above then it's nobody's fault but your own that you tripped. I think the brick sidewalks here are a better design than the poured concrete versions in many other countries. When tree roots grow the sidewalk doesn't crack. It becomes misshapen, but doesn't crack. They are easily removed in the event that something needs to be done under the sidewalk. And, if part of it does crack only the affected bricks need to be replaced...not an entire concrete slab. If they were not always decorated with generous helpings of cigarettes, spit, and vomit they would be rather pleasant to look at.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
The_Conservative



Joined: 15 Mar 2007

PostPosted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 3:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

caniff wrote:
The_Conservative wrote:
caniff wrote:
I like when I see people trip and then go into that brief jog afterwards to try and play it off hoping noone saw that they just tripped and looked stupid.

It's the little things in life that help me make it through the day.


When they break a leg, you must find it absolutely hilarious.


I wasn't referring to when people actually fall down, Kill-joy. People often trip without splattering all across the pavement, although it sounds like you might have taken a nasty spill or two.


Sorry to disappoint you, but I always look where I am going. Believe it or not...it works.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
rationality



Joined: 05 Jul 2007
Location: Some where in S. Korea

PostPosted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 6:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Shocked

Last edited by rationality on Fri Jul 03, 2009 6:35 pm; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Ilsanman



Joined: 15 Aug 2003
Location: Bucheon, Korea

PostPosted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Agreed. But you know, if they really cared about the safety of their own people here, they'd fix the sidewalks. Paying attention isn't exactly Korean people's strong point.

rationality wrote:
Quote:
Sorry to disappoint you, but I always look where I am going. Believe it or not...it works.


Now, that is what I call common sense at face value. I stubbled a few times, but that was because as you have said, I wasn't paying attention.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
shetan



Joined: 24 Apr 2006
Location: In front of my PC.

PostPosted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

at least you have sidewalks... in Haebangchon we dont even get that..

your forced to walk on the road or in the gutter... neither being very desirable!

Especially when the line of cars has a scooter flying down the outside almost taking off your arm as it goes by!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
IncognitoHFX



Joined: 06 May 2007
Location: Yeongtong, Suwon

PostPosted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

pkang0202 wrote:
I've seen worse. In Richmond, Va we have sidewalks and have all these random bulges, gaps, and cracks. Brilliant idea. Lets plant trees all over the place and not take into account that their roots will warp sidewalks and streets as they grow.

If you walk around you will:

1. Trip and fall
2. Trip and not fall.
3. Either 1 or 2.


Where I'm from they're slowly getting rid of all the sidewalks as incentives for people to buy cars/make new lanes for traffic. There are tonnes of destinations back home I simply can't walk to because there are no sidewalks; only a curb and a steep hill/water route in either side.

At least Korea understands that some people choose not to drive, and that we would like sidewalks.

Any business parks where you're from? Those places *never* have sidewalks. Ever try navigating a WalMart parking lot? It's like playing Atari's "Frogger".
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
billybrobby



Joined: 09 Dec 2004

PostPosted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I guess they just throw them down so that they can be ripped up again easily. But really, how dumb are you that you are tripping and twisting your ankle all the time? I've never done that. I guess I'm just awesome.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
cuckoo for kimchi



Joined: 27 Jul 2006
Location: somewhere lost in time and space...or korea

PostPosted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:50 pm    Post subject: Re: Korean sidewalks - why are they so poorly made? Reply with quote

Bingo wrote:
I walk to work each day and, looking down (as there's nothing worth looking at architecturally) I consistently notice two things. Spit. Here, there, everywhere. It's omnipresent. The other is the extremely poor quality of Korean sidewalks. How in heaven's name can they construct them so unevenly, with so many gaps, and with no consistency. It's like a bunch of drunks made them. If I'd a nickle for every time I twisted an ankle and fell because of the crooked sidewalks I'd have a lot of nickles.

For a country that claims it cherishes the elderly, you'd think they'd make sure the sidewalks were even, at least to prevent ajumma falling on her face.

I've never seen such poorly constructed sidewalks.


I think part of the reason for the sidewalk problem is that cars are always parked on them...so in time they fall apart....I end up walking on the street..because the sidewalks are full of cars... Shocked
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message MSN Messenger
philipjames



Joined: 03 Feb 2003

PostPosted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 9:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What about parents pushing strollers on the sidewalk? Can't be very pleasant for the wee kid or the parent. And how many times have we seen people in wheel chairs opting to take the road, with all its dangers, rather than be tossed about on bizarrely uneven sidewalks.

Sparkling.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
IncognitoHFX



Joined: 06 May 2007
Location: Yeongtong, Suwon

PostPosted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 9:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

philipjames wrote:
What about parents pushing strollers on the sidewalk? Can't be very pleasant for the wee kid or the parent. And how many times have we seen people in wheel chairs opting to take the road, with all its dangers, rather than be tossed about on bizarrely uneven sidewalks.

Sparkling.


Oh, shut up. No sparkling. Many countries have similar problems in these areas.

Quit ridiculing Korea because it's not perfect. No where is.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
rD.NaTas



Joined: 06 Nov 2007
Location: changwon

PostPosted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 9:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

what aboot the poor innocent sk8boarder who cant even ride on the sidewalks!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website MSN Messenger
stevieg4ever



Joined: 11 Feb 2006
Location: London, England

PostPosted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Lets face it the sidewalks here are better than 90% of the world. But what would make sidewalks a lot more pleasant (at least where I am) is if there were no bikes flying across them and if cars didnt actually park on them.

That is what I find truely insane. why bother having sidewalks if cars and bikes are going to share them. Confused
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message MSN Messenger
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> General Discussion Forum All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Goto page Previous  1, 2, 3  Next
Page 2 of 3

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.

Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group

TEFL International Supports Dave's ESL Cafe
TEFL Courses, TESOL Course, English Teaching Jobs - TEFL International