Korean Job Discussion Forums

[TJ]

This morning while taking the subway to my school I sat in what I call the "geriatrics" seats. You know the ones reserved for the old, the sick, and for pregnant women. There was a boy aged about 9 sitting next to me. [I'm 62 so I am entitled to sit there]

A Korean man who I guess was about 75 years old got on but there were no empty seats. The boy put his head down and pretended not to see the old man. I nudged the boy with my elbow and pointed to the old man. The boy very reluctantly gave up his seat.

Later I had second thoughts. Did I do the right thing ? What do you think ?

[Falstaff]

Absolutely right thing, in my opinion. Those signs are there for a reason. If people don't want to honor them, they can call the subway/government/whoever and have them taken down. Until then, follow them.

Then again, my father's disabled, so I'm a little more touchy about this.

[animalbirdfish]

Even if the kid had been in the 'normal' seats, he should've given it up if the guy was old. Anyone over about 60, carrying a baby, or who is disabled automatically gets my seat on the subway. I sometimes think I should give up my seat to all women in general, but I guess I'm not the gentleman I'd like to be.

And what the hell am I talking about...I never have a seat on the subway.

[marista99]

Yes, definitely you did the right thing. It was good not to let the kid get away with it--maybe he'll learn his lesson. By the way, was this kid by himself on the subway, and if not where was his mom? Did she just not care?

[dogbert]

I think you did the right thing.

But that reminds me of something I saw once on the subway. There was a kid who looked to me to be a teenager who was sitting in one of those seats. For some reason, he and his friend were looking at stuff in their wallets and I happened to see that the kid had a "handicapped person" ID card in his.

This ajumma boards at the next stop, stands in front of the kid, glares at him for awhile, and finally starts berating him for not standing up and offering her his seat. Poor kid, doesn't say a word, dutifully stands up, grasps the strap and damn near collapses because his legs can hardly support him.

Ajumma realizes her error after sitting down and offers the seat back to the kid, but the kid was too proud for that and would have none of it.

[TJ]

Marista99 ............ the boy was by himself but on other occasions I have seen other young people travelling with their parents who did not make their child give up his/her seat.

[hellofaniceguy]

Old or not...first come first served. Especially when it comes to ajummas! They get nothing from me!
Just because someone is old does not entitle them to special whatever. I've seen many older folks who are just as obnoxious and ignorant as younger ones pushing their way through the golden years just because they think being older gives them the right.
Sure...if I was older and the situation were reversed...I'd appreciate the seat..but I would not "stink eye" someone because they wouldn't give up their seat.
Besides...I'd hate to admit that I needed the seat because I was elderly!
I'd be insulted! I want to be young until I die!
Respect is great...but it's a two way street. And most seem to forget that.

[RedRob]

HFG What a prat!
Anyone with grey hair gets a seat.
Any country.
Any method of transport.
No exceptions.

Dems de rules mate. Learn 'em.

[rapier]

I give up my seat for the elderly or of course preganant women/with young child.
What gets me though is how children seem to take precedence with seating, i mean Koreans actually stand to allow children to sit (or should I say squirm/jump on the seats). Another case of spoiling kids again....

[chiaa]

I know I am going to get flamed for this but.....

Unless a really old person comes I do not give up my seat anymore. My mom came here and she is 60, but you can tell she is in not the best of shape. All the time we were riding on the bus or subway, where it was clear that she was not handling it too well, not one person gave up their seat.

On the other hand, if I am sitting in the old people's seats (I do this if the train is empty and am just trying to get away from everyone), I get up right away even when one of the three seats is empty (giving two of the old folks three seats).

One time, I was sitting in the old people's seats and this old man went crazy on me. Out of the six seats available at the end of the car, I was the only one sitting in them. Him and I got in a shouting match on the train. I was not pissed that he told me to get out of the seats, I was pissed because the car next to us, there were three or four Korean middle school aged children sitting in the old folks seats. Instead of saying soemthing to them, he said something to me. Eventually, at one of the stops someone on the train forcefully threw the old man off the train. I believe a lot of people in the car understood my complaint and agreed with me, as when the old man was being thrown off I was getting the "right-on nod".

Op, you did the right thing.

[ajuma]

I once saw something that REALLY pissed me off. A monk was sitting with his leg crossed in "lotus" position...taking up 3 seats!!! He kept his eyes closed (praying for forgiveness, I hope!!!) and never moved!!!

BTW, hellofaniceguy: You don't sound so nice to me!!

[Homer]

Jesus...it's pretty basic common courtesy to give up your seat for the elderly...

To the OP...well done.

To HofNG...

[inkoreaforgood]

chiaa, my wife fears to sit in the old folks seat, simply because some old guy will freak out on her. I think that most old folks should get a seat, but some of them would grab you and throw you out of the train just to get your seat. Big cultural difference I guess, respect is given not earned here in Korea.

[chiaa]

[royjones]

Come on guys. Let the kid sit. Don't be an old prude. If the Korean man wanted to yell at him great. Why stick your nose in where it doesn't belong.