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GJoeM
Joined: 05 Oct 2012
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 Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2015 4:10 am Post subject: |
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Otter wrote, "Some ignorant people think the littering here..is a bit out of hand, and Koreans are not concerned about their environment. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is not 'litter' it is decoration. Without mounds of decomposing waste and litter to liven the place up Seoul would be grey and lifeless. What else would the stray cats and pigeons eat if it wasn't for all the pavement banchan and cigarette filters? The piles of fetid waste add a gritty and dynamic edge to the city."
Heh heh...I frequently feel like I am walking through a bomb-site wasteland here in Korea, with shredded trash bags adorning the trees, unidentifiable evil smelling piles in the road, tipped over rusting barrels with acrid liquid dripping out, and barbed wire scattered here and there...
It's like a JG Ballard short story, or a Ray Bradbury tale come to life. |
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GJoeM
Joined: 05 Oct 2012
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| Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 1:52 am Post subject: |
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Love Otter's quote, so just reviving it for that !
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"One of the cool really things about Korea is the lawlessness, it keeps the place exciting and dynamic. The cycle path along the Han river is hugely enlivened by random grannies and young kids running across the path, ajeoshis swerving erratically on their bikes. The roads are a joyous chaos of law breaking excitement and Koreans are such adept drivers that they can text message, watch TV and shout at their kids all at the same time! Korean children don't need to wear seat belts as they are tougher and more resilient than western children.
Shopping in the supermarket is made much more entertaining when you get to smash other people's shopping carts out the way. It is also fun to run the cart into the heels of other shoppers when they're in front.
Cycling is fun, and it is cathartic to practice shouting at people in Korean 'Get the *bleep* out the way you retard! Comin' thru!' My in depth knowledge and fluency swearing in Korean is largely down to paying attention to how other vehicle users greet each other whilst getting from a to B.
Spitting is also cool, Koreans with their penchant for decorating their surroundings with mucus and bile are trying their hardest to be the first country to have homegrown cases of Ebola. The drive and the energy of Koreans knows no bounds.
Some ignorant people think the littering here in Seoul is a bit out of hand, and Koreans are not concerned about their environment. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is not 'litter' it is decoration. Without mounds of decomposing waste and litter to liven the place up Seoul would be grey and lifeless. What else would the stray cats and pigeons eat if it wasn't for all the pavement banchan and cigarette filters? The piles of fetid waste add a gritty and dynamic edge to the city.
The Korean people's habits are seen by some ignorant people as dangerous, inconsiderate, irresponsible, lawless and foolish but they're wrong. The sparkling habits of Koreans are without peers and nowhere is this more true than in the way that people drive and cycle.'' |
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CentralCali
Joined: 17 May 2007
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| Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 1:58 am Post subject: |
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| GJoeM wrote: |
| Heh heh...I frequently feel like I am walking through a bomb-site wasteland here in Korea, with shredded trash bags adorning the trees, unidentifiable evil smelling piles in the road, tipped over rusting barrels with acrid liquid dripping out, and barbed wire scattered here and there... |
I saw that movie! |
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GJoeM
Joined: 05 Oct 2012
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Chaparrastique
Joined: 01 Jan 2014
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| Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 8:57 pm Post subject: |
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There was a scientific study showing that heart rates and stress levels rise at the viewing of urban architecture and artificial structures, while stress levels reduce at the sight of natural landscapes.
I can't find the study, but here is a similar article:
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“In every walk with nature one receives far more than one seeks.”
- John Muir, 19 July 1877
Biophilic design can reduce stress, improve cognitive function and creativity, improve our well-being and expedite healing; as the world population continues to urbanize, these qualities are ever more important. Given how quickly an experience of nature can elicit a restorative response, and the fact that U.S. businesses squander billions of dollars each year on lost productivity due to stress-related illnesses, design that reconnects us with nature – biophilic design – is essential for providing people opportunities to live and work in healthy places and spaces with less stress and greater overall health and well-being.
Biophilia is the humankind’s innate biological connection with nature. It helps explain why crackling fires and crashing waves captivate us; why a garden view can enhance our creativity; why shadows and heights instill fascination and fear; and why animal companionship and strolling through a park have restorative, healing effects. Biophilia may also help explain why some urban parks and buildings are preferred over others. For decades, research scientists and design practitioners have been working to define aspects of nature that most impact our satisfaction with the built environment. But how do we move from research to application in a manner that effectively enhances health and well-being, and how should efficacy be judged?
http://www.terrapinbrightgreen.com/reports/14-patterns/ |
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crazyauntc
Joined: 08 Mar 2015
Location: Lome, Togo
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| Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 4:39 am Post subject: Love the insight |
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| 3DR wrote: |
But one thing I'm very curious of is the cultural cause of just not have any spacial awareness whatsoever. Like most people here just do not pay attention to what is going around them and it's almost like they are walking around aimlessly.
I talked about it with other Koreans one day, and it might be a mentality of thinking that other people will take care of your problems for you. So if you are driving or walking, and you are headed straight into someone, it's their responnsibilty to move out of the way, even if they also might not be aware of your presence. |
Ahhh that's fascinating. Because unfortunately, this is all not just Korea. I'm currently in West Africa (looking to come to Korea next) and EVERYTHING described here (except for what the OP described) I experience every day when driving my car. I try so hard to be patient but I continually wonder why so much of it happens. I had decided that the overarching characteristic is not paying one bit of attention to one's surroundings. The other day I almost hit a guy on a motorbike who was stopped on the side of the road and then swerved in front of me riiiight as I was about to pass him- no one in front of or behind me. I could have flattened him. 3DR's comment about the discussion with actual Koreans is very interesting.
A little bit of insight is verrrry helpful for this frustrated driver  |
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atwood
Joined: 26 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 5:06 am Post subject: Re: Love the insight |
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| crazyauntc wrote: |
| 3DR wrote: |
But one thing I'm very curious of is the cultural cause of just not have any spacial awareness whatsoever. Like most people here just do not pay attention to what is going around them and it's almost like they are walking around aimlessly.
I talked about it with other Koreans one day, and it might be a mentality of thinking that other people will take care of your problems for you. So if you are driving or walking, and you are headed straight into someone, it's their responnsibilty to move out of the way, even if they also might not be aware of your presence. |
Ahhh that's fascinating. Because unfortunately, this is all not just Korea. I'm currently in West Africa (looking to come to Korea next) and EVERYTHING described here (except for what the OP described) I experience every day when driving my car. I try so hard to be patient but I continually wonder why so much of it happens. I had decided that the overarching characteristic is not paying one bit of attention to one's surroundings. The other day I almost hit a guy on a motorbike who was stopped on the side of the road and then swerved in front of me riiiight as I was about to pass him- no one in front of or behind me. I could have flattened him. 3DR's comment about the discussion with actual Koreans is very interesting.
A little bit of insight is verrrry helpful for this frustrated driver |
And exactly what insight are you providing? |
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thrylos
Joined: 10 Jun 2008
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| Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 2:09 am Post subject: |
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Simple rule: The bigger vehicle ALWAYS has right of way. Who's technically right doesn't matter when you're a pancake. Sorted.  |
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le-paul
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
Location: dans la chambre
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| Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2015 1:33 am Post subject: |
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I agree with the OP to a point. Cycling is one of the few situations in korea that has become popular recently and has its own set of etiquette which is usually considerate.
Not walking in front of people taking photos is the other which i find odd...
Anyway, there is still enough fuckwittery (here including people with no apparent spatial awareness) to warrant avoiding any activity which puts you in any close proximity to other members of the local community less you be dead. |
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Stan Rogers
Joined: 20 Aug 2010
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| Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2015 3:53 am Post subject: |
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| thrylos wrote: |
| Simple rule: The bigger vehicle ALWAYS has right of way. Who's technically right doesn't matter when you're a pancake. Sorted. |
Spoken like a bus lover. As a car driver and speed demon I can assure you that vehicle size is irrelevant when you are faster than everyone else. |
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thrylos
Joined: 10 Jun 2008
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| Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 3:20 am Post subject: |
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| Stan Rogers wrote: |
Spoken like a bus lover. As a car driver and speed demon I can assure you that vehicle size is irrelevant when you are faster than everyone else. |
OK, granted, but when idiots complain that "...a car ran through a pedestrian walk" or "cars and taxis don't respect cyclists", bigger IS better (and always has the right of way)!! |
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atwood
Joined: 26 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2015 5:17 am Post subject: |
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| thrylos wrote: |
| Stan Rogers wrote: |
Spoken like a bus lover. As a car driver and speed demon I can assure you that vehicle size is irrelevant when you are faster than everyone else. |
OK, granted, but when idiots complain that "...a car ran through a pedestrian walk" or "cars and taxis don't respect cyclists", bigger IS better (and always has the right of way)!! |
It's nonsense like that which makes Korea such a dangerous place for pedestrians.
And if you're posting so you can garner points for asshat of the day you can stop-you're the clear winner. |
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thrylos
Joined: 10 Jun 2008
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| Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2015 8:15 am Post subject: |
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| atwood wrote: |
It's nonsense like that which makes Korea such a dangerous place for pedestrians.
And if you're posting so you can garner points for asshat of the day you can stop-you're the clear winner. |
Guess you don't drive much, huh?
Let me give you three (not so pretty) traffic scenarios:
1) You're a car. You're about to hit: a. A pedestrian or bike b. A bus
2) You're a bicycle. You're about to hit: a. A pedestrian b. A car/bus
3) You're a pedestrian. You're about to be run over by: a. A bicycle b. A car/bus ON THE CROSSWALK!!!
Count up your total points: 3 pts: What's YOUR insight again?
2 points or less: I might be the asshat for the day, you're an asshat for life.
(Answer a is the correct one for all 3, just in case)  |
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Steelrails
Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System
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| Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2015 3:34 pm Post subject: |
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| You're forgetting the Trucker's Creed: 1 Life for 10. |
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atwood
Joined: 26 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2015 3:53 pm Post subject: |
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| thrylos wrote: |
| atwood wrote: |
It's nonsense like that which makes Korea such a dangerous place for pedestrians.
And if you're posting so you can garner points for asshat of the day you can stop-you're the clear winner. |
Guess you don't drive much, huh?
Let me give you three (not so pretty) traffic scenarios:
1) You're a car. You're about to hit: a. A pedestrian or bike b. A bus
2) You're a bicycle. You're about to hit: a. A pedestrian b. A car/bus
3) You're a pedestrian. You're about to be run over by: a. A bicycle b. A car/bus ON THE CROSSWALK!!!
Count up your total points: 3 pts: What's YOUR insight again?
2 points or less: I might be the asshat for the day, you're an asshat for life.
(Answer a is the correct one for all 3, just in case) |
Guess you don't know much, huh?
Ok, ok, you're asshat of the week. Are you satisfied now? Will you go back to your cave of ignorance? |
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