Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Cohiba]

I take the subway to work each morning and I have noticed some
patterns emerging here. Correct me if I am wrong.

The front end

Seems to be older people and weirdos. Possibility of meeting a
racist, religious zealot or slack-jawed yokel increases proportionally
with proximity to the front of the train. Women, I think, come to this
section NOT to be noticed. Upside, seating is usually available.
Downside, mental health deteriorates quickly.

The Middle

The cattle cars. Never any free seats, but people seem to flock here
for some unknown reason. The data I have for this area is a little
light because I avoid this section like the plague. Why stand when you
can sit and freak out some local with arm contact. Upside, you can feel
like one of the gang. "FIGHTING!" Downside, legs are for suckers.

The Back

I usually sit here because this area seems more liberal and Bohemian
than all the rest. Best looking women for sure. But also stares that
are not exactly menacing, but more like they have just seen an alien.
Upside, free seats. Downside, kids with a little too much energy and
rudeness for a quiet read. Also drunk Korean men who think the end
seats are their private sofas, so they take off their shoes and curl up
to sleep off their soju.

On another note I once got on the train in Dong Incheon to go home
to Guwol Gong (about eight stops up the line) This was in the morning
and I was a little worse for wear. Anyway, I got woken up by a cleaner
in Uijongbu. I missed my exit by about 40 stations. Haha.

[Css]

I think youve thought about this too much dude

Most people just get on the section of train closest to the entrance theyve just walked in from...If theres a ton of people they will walk towards areas with fewer people.

[jkelly80]

I've noticed that the front is always empty, so if I'm in for a long ride or feeling a little weary I'll sit there.

[shaunew]

I enjoy it in the rear as well.

[PeteJB]

Depends which line your taking I guess. People tend to flock near where the exits will be. Btw 40 stations, wow I bet you had fun counting them.

[sojourner1]

Interesting. There are many behavioral patterns due to personality, attributes, and environment as to why people do what they do, but situation caused by the physical conditions of an environment dictate most behavior.

It is very different in the front, middle, and back sections of both trains and buses anywhere you go in the world. I think in most parts of the world, back is where you go if you're looking to network on a criminal level, but in Korea, it may just be a more relaxed bunch who goes rear. In Seoul, it always seems over crowded unless it's later in the evening when people thin out for dinner, drinking, and sleep. In Korea I too prefer the back of trains and buses, but not in America. In Europe, anywhere is fine as long as I can fit myself on a packed morning double decker train to get to the city on Saturday morning, because it's so cool to go that everyone tries to go.

In America, the higher crime risks ride in back as well as the drugees. The big guys from the hood most likely to intimidate you sit in back as well as well the drug dealers selling weed and coke. In the front you'll most likely find the handicapped, mental cases staying calm, elderly, and women trying to stay safe, but the front is where open seats are most likely found in a crowded populated inner city situation though sometimes you're standing and paying attention that no one is getting handsy for your wallet. Front is great for a no hassle ride though everyone has to walk past you and look you down since they don't get off through a back door in most American city buses and trains. In lower populated situations like really early or late in the day, I usually sit in the middle and enjoy the extra space, peace, and quiet.

And then I usually go for the part least crowded and most accessible in any situation after I scope out the scene. If the part I hurried into is too crowded, I'll usually take a train walk towards the rear in search of a less populated area where I have some space to maybe sit down or at least not have to contend with smelly breaths in close proximity.

It's crowded, but walk farthest away from platform entrances to get the most chance at space or even a chance to ride if it's super packed.

[bogey666]

[IAMAROBOT]

[yeoja]

I'm always going to and fro on the same stations on the same lines most of the time, so I've memorised WHAT car you need to be on to be able to transfer to the next line the quickest. So I usually go for that car. Like from Gangnam to Seoul station (line 1/4, KTX station), you go from green to lightblue. At sadang station, the transfer station, I go on car #6 (usually 6-2) to make a quick transfer. Then on the blue line, I walk towards the front of the train because the KTX station/transfer to line #1 is closest towards the front.

Geeky, innit?

[Pooty]

Once you learn which train cars are closest to the transfer stairs/escalator or your exit stairs, you tend to go for those cars. I get on the same train car (both ways) at the same time every day. Especially in the morning, it's the same people in the same seats every day. I'm usually the first person in my car (5:34AM) every day. I have taken the same corner seat for the past two years. At Shindorim station, the same old lady gets on every day, and I give her my seat every day. She brings me candy and chocolate once a week. I only have a few stops to stand after that, and I tried telling her she can stop with the gifts, but she's determined to thank me. haha

[ChinaBoy]

Nerds.

The doors open. Get on.

Very simple, no?

[Jeff's Cigarettes]

On a seat.

[crusher_of_heads]

[Beej]

[samd]