Korean Job Discussion Forums

[questionmark]

Why do people try to get into the subway car when you are trying to get out?

[DorkothyParker]

Just keep a heads up and stand up and move to the door before the train stops. Don't be afraid to be a little aggressive, everyone else is.

[daskalos]

[curiousaboutkorea]

[AsiaESLbound]

It's another random people movement thing where they just all unpredictably compete for physical space with no general rules of movement. It's like when approaching people head on, they usually veer to the left, then right, and left again where they can't keep a straight predictable line even with the available room nor know to walk to your right in countries that drive on the right side. Exiting a subway often requires some passive aggressive exiting where you don't stop, say excuse me, nor try to step around them, because they don't give you room nor excuse you for being in their way as they try to board a train before you can free up their room by getting off. Also, few seem to know when to yield and often change their mind after you began crossing in their path, be it a car, bike, or person. Even in uncrowded situations where there is plenty of room, they will almost always get too close, change direction unpredictably, perhaps collide, and come off as arrogant rude fools trying to get in your way just to annoy you. People are usually inconsiderate and even phobic, but will usually change their footing and action unpredictably just to seemingly make it a little more uncomfortable for you. Annoyingly so. If they were actually friendly or comfortable with the situation, then they wouldn't act so rude.

[Kaypea]

Sometimes I get this immature urge to go and cut in front of every old person who cuts in front of me, and to walk really slowly right in front of them, being as wide as possible. But that slows me down too much.

[Bibbitybop]

It's not just old people, and it is not just subways. It's elevators, regular doors, etc.

It's mentioned in cultural books and global business books. It's simply something the culture lacks for the most part: Spacial awareness/proximity bubbles.

[detourne_me]

heh, this morning i was standing at the door to get off and a younger kid kinda slides his shoulder in front of mine like he wanted to get off first.
being early morning the cars were nearly empty, I did a full victorian bow, unfurling my hand "After you, your majesty!"
kid felt embarrassed, i chuckled afterwards. good times.

[nautilus]

[Epik_Teacher]

After a while I just quit caring about what they think, I just plow thru them. Even if it means bumping them out of the way. How the hell can they get on a subway car when people are trying to get off? I also don't let ajuma's cut in front of me, either. I take very little BS in public anymore.

[nomad-ish]

don't get upset, just plow right through. the people that do that just don't realize anyone is going to get off the train seeing as how so many people just mill about the door of the train.

[Horangi Munshin]

[ThingsComeAround]

[sharkey]

I just gave up trying to move around people as I'm attempting to disembark. Square your shoulders and just crunch people, its better and you feel awesome afterwards.

[Seoulio]

exiting a subway is easy,

Exiting YOU GET THE MIDDLE,

Entering YOU GET THE OUTSIDES

If people re in my way, old young, I dont care I just plow my way through.

if you are old then you should be old enough to know that people get OFF a subway before you get on, thats the way of things.