Korean Job Discussion Forums

MA_TESOL · Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Location: Seoul

I moved near Haebongchan and live on a steep hill. I dread icy winter and trying to walk down those hills. I have to wear a suit to work and there is no way I can negotiate those hills in dress shoes. How do you folks do it? It would be easy to break your neck.

I am thinking of buying some shoes/boots at an outdoor store that are made for walking in icy areas. I will change into my dress shoes when I get to the office

emilylovesyou · Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Location: here

Nice winter boots with grips work well.

Or you can find galoshes that go over your nice shoes.

sojourner1 · Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 10:03 pm Post subject:

Sometimes the only thing you can do is slide down the icy hill on your fanny. I remember in Germany how it would freeze rain in November and we'd still have to show up for US Army morning formation and work detail so we'd all be outside on 1 inch of thick solid clear slippery ice scooting along on our rumps.

I bet if it got that bad in Korea, they'd call off school for a day.

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

When it was raining outside, my grandmother would always ask, "Why don't you get some rubbers?"

It used to freak my sister and I out!

MA_TESOL · Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Location: Seoul

blurgalurgalurga · Joined: 18 Oct 2007

golf shoes?

sojourner1 · Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 11:22 pm Post subject:

I believe they call them rain boots that fit over your shoes, "rubbers," over in Europe.

D-Man · Joined: 17 Jun 2008

Being a Canadian bloke,I'm a bit of an expert on the subject.

When walking downhill on a slippery slope,you need to twist the tips of your toes outwards a bit on each step.

This will help your shoes(whatever type they may be) gain some traction and will let your legs know if the surface can be navigated safely.

The toe twisting will also counteract the vertical slope and help even things up with a bit of a horizontal effect which will reduce your toe drag.

Try it and see and "happy trails"!!

Straphanger · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Chilgok, Korea

justaguy · Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Location: seoul

Slide down the hill. You'll get there faster.

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

I don't have this problem. When I hike to work in 6 feet of snow, it's uphill both ways.

4seasons · Joined: 25 Mar 2007

I do the same thing here I did at home. I commute in sensible shoes and leave my nice shoes at the office. Also, on occasion here, I have worn snow boots to work and at work with my suit.

A variation of that I guess is to walk down the hill in sensible shoes and leave then in a locker at the subway station or carry the sensible shoes in your bag.

ben-ja-mas · Joined: 20 Jan 2008