Korean Job Discussion Forums

[diver]

[BS Press 31/1/2005] In a stunning development today, South Koreans (especially drivers) were shocked into a catatonic-like stupor by the sudden appearance of snow in their country.

Despite experiencing snowfall for a record 5,000th winter in a row, many South Koreans seemed caught off-guard, especially since the snow came during winter when one would least expect it. Government officials remained tight-lipped about the seeming summer=no snow/winter=snow cycle that grips South Korea and repeats itself roughly...every year.

'I honestly thought that it might not snow this year', one government official, identified only as Kim, was reported to have said. 'We only have 5,000 years of experience with this sort of thing. If we only had some sort of hint that this might happen, we could have prepared for it. Besides, as you know, unlike other countries, Korea has four seasons. It is hard to keep them all straight'.

When asked to contrast his county's preparedness for winter with the primitive tribes of the remote Nicobar Islands (in the Indian Ocean) who were able to recognize the signs of, and avoid, a tsunami despite not having actually seen one for generations, Kim muttered, cryptically, 'This is Korea!' and stalked out of the room leaving puzzled journalists behind.

Although number one in, well, everything, South Koreans have been unable to parlay their superior math and science skills into a feasible plan to reduce accidents, and the number of lives lost, each year to catastrophic snowfalls of up to three or four centimeters.

Despite a mountain of rhetoric and circumstantial evidence, there is as of yet no substantial proof linking either the US government in general, or U.S. president George W. Bush in particular, to the relentless hot/cold cycle that Koreans suffer every twelve months.

Though rebuffed by Korean scientists, several international meteorologists have come up with a handful of equations that may save South Korea some hardship in the future. Examples include:

1. Half a brain + snowplows = clear roads and safer conditions
2. Snow/ice + sand/salt = traction
3. Half a brain + reduced speed = safer conditions, less accidents
4. Half a brain + clearing the snow from your rear window = better field of view, less accidents
5. No brain + a water hose =\= an effective way to clear snow and make the sidewalk in front of your home safer
6. Korea - cars = 100% safer

[Mashimaro]

very sarcastic... I love it
korea, hub of disorganisation

[eamo]

Funny 'cuz it's true.

When I lived and drove everyday in Japan they were fanatical about clearing the snow off the roads. Some roads in cities had an elaborate sprinkler system which not only cleared the snow but washed your car as you drove past.

There were so many gritters on Japanese expressways they often caused jams because you kept having to slow down to avoid them.

[The Lemon]

*standing ovation*


Post of the month. Right there.

[mindmetoo]

Ha. Very Onion. However to be fair I always found in Toronto, no stranger to snow, that the first snow fall of the season had you thinking you were the only one on the road who had ever driven in snow.

First snow storm everyone in Toronto magically forgets snow driving skills learned over the decades. The next day everything returns to normal.

[the eye]

very entertaining post, but i was just up in Kyunggi-do this weekend.
they have equipment to clear it. the roads were scraped well.

[Zenpickle]

The same could be said of my old home of Atlanta.

There's an episode of Alton Brown's "Good Eats" where the crew is stuck in the house where they film the show because an inch of snow had hit Atlanta and paralyzed the city.

(They were eventually rescued by helicopter days later.)


Now, I didn't spend much time in Toronto, but I did live two winters in Rochester, NY, and they had it together when it came to snow management.

[phaedrus]

Snow paralyzes the south. It snowed both winters I was here, although only for a day each winter. When it snowed it was chaos.

I mean, put snow chains in your trunk, then if it happens to snow you won't die getting home. Wow, planning.

[Cheyne]

When it snows in Brisbane everyone knows how to deal with it....oh wait, it NEVER snows in Brisbane....oh forgot what I said....

[tzechuk]

lol.. very funny.

[MixtecaMike]

[ajuma]

diver: Super funny post!!! The same could be said for anywhere south of S. Carolina in the States. They only get snow once every few years and don't have the equipment to deal with it.

You have to put this in perspective, though. Why spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a piece of equipment that will only be used once a year? It's fiscally irresponsible.

Personally, I LOVE watching the guys on the back of trucks shoveling sand onto the road!! Sure beats those loud snowplow blocking your car in!!

[Blind Willie]

I told my business students about the size of the monster plow trucks we have back home in Canada and they couldnt believe it.

[bucheon bum]

well those north of s. carolina might have the equipment but many still freak out. Here in DC, traffic becomes a huge nightmare if there is more than an inch on the ground. So far we've been lucky: only once has it snowed on a weekday. The other few times it has been on the weekend.

[VanIslander]

No snow here on the second largest island this week.

Though it did come down on New Year's Eve for the first time in three years.

The mock news story isn't half as funny as the real thing about Vancouver drivers on a rare snowy day. Always was good for a laugh!