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jessie-b
Joined: 17 Apr 2006
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 Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 1:08 am Post subject: Put me in the backseat |
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| In the past two weeks I've gotten two rides home from my Korean "seniors" at work. Both times (two different coworkers) they put me in the backseat even though the front seat was open- NOONE in the front seat. They both insisted I sit in the back. It was very confusing and awkward for me, though I guess not for them. We were still chatting, making eye contact in the rearview mirror. If it happens again, I'm going to address it, through a joke or something. Anyone else experience this? |
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nicholas_chiasson
Joined: 14 Jun 2007
Location: Samcheok
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| Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 1:20 am Post subject: |
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| We're the drivers the same gender as yourself? This means something here, I think...in my case sometimes they put me in any seat I can fit it, as a few Korean cars can't hold me. But I'm guessing you're a woman, and not 6'4". |
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normalcyispasse
Joined: 27 Oct 2006
Location: Yeosu until the end of February WOOOOOOOO
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| Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 1:42 am Post subject: |
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| The backseat is the more honorable position when offering someone a ride. I believe it's meant to convey a "being chauffeured" atmosphere. Don't decline the backseat, thank the driver for offering it. |
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spliff
Joined: 19 Jan 2004
Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand
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| Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 2:02 am Post subject: |
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| Much safer, IMHO. |
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Juregen
Joined: 30 May 2006
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| Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 2:24 am Post subject: Re: Put me in the backseat |
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| jessie-b wrote: |
| In the past two weeks I've gotten two rides home from my Korean "seniors" at work. Both times (two different coworkers) they put me in the backseat even though the front seat was open- NOONE in the front seat. They both insisted I sit in the back. It was very confusing and awkward for me, though I guess not for them. We were still chatting, making eye contact in the rearview mirror. If it happens again, I'm going to address it, through a joke or something. Anyone else experience this? |
That is indeed confusing.
The deal is normally that you should sit next to the driver, otherwise he would be nothing more then a "cab driver". |
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nobbyken
Joined: 07 Jun 2006
Location: Yongin ^^
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| Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 2:29 am Post subject: |
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| Was there by any chance a meter in the car? |
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xtchr
Joined: 23 Nov 2004
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| Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 4:02 am Post subject: |
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| I struck this all the time in my first job in a rural area. I got picked up by a different teacher everyday and they all wanted me to sit in the back. It was done as a sign of courtesy, i.e chauffering, but I absolutely hated it, especially when they were always looking in the rear-view mirror, or worse yet, turning their head to talk to me, and veering all over the road. They were all terrible drivers to start with, and they really needed to keep their eyes on the road, so after a few 'almost' crashes, I decided no more, and I'd just open the passenger door and get in and sit there. They looked really put out, a few said nothing, but most would object, insisting that I sit in the back, but I'd just make up some nonsense about the front seat being more comfortable. I decided my safety was more important than their wishes. |
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crash bang
Joined: 11 Jul 2007
Location: gwangju
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| Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 6:08 am Post subject: |
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| just yell "shotgun!" when walking to the car. that automatically grants you the front seat |
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yingwenlaoshi
Joined: 12 Feb 2007
Location: ... location, location!
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| Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 6:29 am Post subject: |
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| xtchr wrote: |
| I struck this all the time in my first job in a rural area. I got picked up by a different teacher everyday and they all wanted me to sit in the back. It was done as a sign of courtesy, i.e chauffering, but I absolutely hated it, especially when they were always looking in the rear-view mirror, or worse yet, turning their head to talk to me, and veering all over the road. They were all terrible drivers to start with, and they really needed to keep their eyes on the road, so after a few 'almost' crashes, I decided no more, and I'd just open the passenger door and get in and sit there. They looked really put out, a few said nothing, but most would object, insisting that I sit in the back, but I'd just make up some nonsense about the front seat being more comfortable. I decided my safety was more important than their wishes. |
It's not a sign of courtesy. They don't want to be seen with a foreigner in that way. If you're in the back, it proves that they have no close relation with you and that they're just giving you a ride. They're afraid of people seeing you in the front and what they would think.
Not all Koreans are like this. They can be the exact opposite of metropolitan and act like children.
When my adult students pick me up at work to go out to eat, and there are more than 2 people in the same car, I am always offered the front seat. And it's out of courtesy. I'll always go for the backseat, but they'll say, "Please" and motion for me to sit in the front. If I sat in the back while there were only 2 of us, they'd find it pretty strange. |
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jessie-b
Joined: 17 Apr 2006
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| Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 11:47 am Post subject: |
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| argh. still confused. I'm going to assume that its not because they don't want to be seen with me. That can't be the case. I'm going to assume its an honorable, old-fashioned country thing. It only happens with the older people, not the younger ones. Still, the "shotgun"! thing is funny! I'll do that. |
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SuperHero
Joined: 10 Dec 2003
Location: Superhero Hideout
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| Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 12:03 pm Post subject: |
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| crash bang wrote: |
| just yell "shotgun!" when walking to the car. that automatically grants you the front seat |
Yeah if you are 15 or drunk. |
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ernie
Joined: 05 Aug 2006
Location: asdfghjk
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| Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 12:13 pm Post subject: |
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| can't i be 15 AND drunk? |
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yingwenlaoshi
Joined: 12 Feb 2007
Location: ... location, location!
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| Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 12:45 pm Post subject: |
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| SuperHero wrote: |
| crash bang wrote: |
| just yell "shotgun!" when walking to the car. that automatically grants you the front seat |
Yeah if you are 15 or drunk. |
Prude. |
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crash bang
Joined: 11 Jul 2007
Location: gwangju
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| Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 1:06 pm Post subject: |
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| SuperHero wrote: |
| crash bang wrote: |
| just yell "shotgun!" when walking to the car. that automatically grants you the front seat |
Yeah if you are 15 or drunk. |
says the guy with superman and wonderwoman on his avatar (alex ross is awesome, tho, i agree) |
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