Korean Job Discussion Forums

BoholDiver · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Location: Canada

Today is officially the first day of the year of the rabbit.

On the way to MIL's place today, my wife got called a *beep* by a taxi driver because she didn't get out of the way as fast as he wanted.

A good start to this year.

AsiaESLbound · Joined: 07 Jan 2010 Location: Truck Stop Missouri

Sorry to hear that OP, that's rude. That's so odd a taxi driver did that as I find them to be the most patient car drivers in allowing me to cross streets where they will stop and wait for you to get out of the way with no road rage. I bet he wouldn't say that to a man and might not had known her husband was there or he was jealous of you for having a woman friend, something many men can't acquire so they are disrespecting the ladies. It's not only a Korea thing, but is unfortunately all too common. Lots of taxi drivers lack enough common sense and respect for others, especially women and foreigners, but I've met a small handful of gentlemen who drive a cab so they aren't all doofuses. I used one 2 days ago and knowing I put my groceries in the trunk, he started to drive off when I got out so I yelled, "stop and open the trunk," but he briefly stepped out of the car to give me a dirty look immediately after popping the trunk instead of apologizing or saying excuse me. I didn't say anything, because it's not worth it, I just wanted to handle my business and go home with no issues. They usually require detailed instruction where they get all confused and insecure if you can't speak Korean fluently where they begin stopping other taxi drivers and phoning to ask where the place is when it's easy in a small city where should only have to tell him the neighborhood and points of reference like restaurants and then tell him, "when jok," and, "orun jok," when to turn left or right and then, "jogyeo," for stop. It's not uncommon for Korean passengers be required to be direct and stern with the taxi drivers in instructing them on everything they should and shouldn't do as I've seen riding with Koreans several times. As for getting called a derogatory name, that's way out of bounds and shouldn't ever happen if you avoid confrontation, pay up, and just handle your business to get where you are trying to be.

Isn't it funny how you know more about getting around in your Korean city than the local taxi drivers?

BoholDiver · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Location: Canada

I was not with my wife, but he called her that right in front of our daughter. That's pretty low. I sentence him to a lifetime of being a taxi driver.

It was one of those streets with no sidewalk and illegally parked cars on both sides. The guy approaches from behind and obviously you either duck in between 2 cars or basically give him the finger and don't move. My wife was trying to get between 2 cars but a 3 year old girl doesn't walk very fast.

Then we went to the in-laws house where they brow-beat everyone in the family who isn't married or working a good job.

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 6:15 am Post subject:

We actually celebrated the new year here in Canada with a bunch of Korean friends.

We called my wife's parents and some friends in Korea and it was nice to hear the full house buzzing with activity. These are the times we miss Korea the most...

Thankfully with skype and video conferencing we were able to see and talk to each other for a while.

Sorry to hear about the rudeness your wife endured Boho!