Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Gollum]

Korea is an interesting place. People often bump and push you around with no care. They dart right in front of you as if you don't exist. If you're standing in line at a restaurant, and there is more than a hand-width of space between you and the pay counter, a Korean will try to squeeze in there as if you were standing by the doorway instead.

There is, of course, and excuse for this: Confucist culture.

That's right! It's just fine, because it's the culture. Nothing wrong with it at all.

Well, I always find it an interesting event to sit in a park and watch this cultural phenomena in full motion. Today, while I was trying to take a photo of an old historical building at the park as bikers passed by in front, a halmony jumped right in front of my camera with her baby -- nearly kicking over my tripod -- and totally ignoring me. I just stared at her with an angry look as she released her barely walking grandson to roam on his own. She blocking my shot, and there was plenty of room all-around. She chose to jump right in front of my camera.

To her delight, the young child made about five steps. Then, suddenly, another Korean kid on a bike, totally oblivious to the fact that there was a baby in his path, mowed the kid over. BLAM!

Suprisingly, the baby was OK, and didn't even cry. The halmony raised hell with the kid who hit him, though. The boy laughed at her. I know Koreans laugh out of embarrasment, but this waygook was laughing too. And it wasn't out of embarrasment. Had he been seriously hurt, well, it wouldn't have been funny.

I know it sounds cruel, but it was darned funny.

Gosh, I wish I had been in video mode and captured the whole moment.

[periwinkle]

Wow- he laughed at her? That's pretty cheeky. I see old people get away with f-all here. Was he laughing mean-spiritedly or...? Weird stuff.

[scarneck]

I was riding my cycle through Gangnam Tuesday morning; stopped at a light backed up in traffic. I watched an old guy on a scooter plow into a Starex THAT WAS STOPPED. He was doing the usual delivery bike bob and weave through traffic earlier. This guy nailed the van and of course he falls to the pavement/curb....

Well, the couple in the van get out, they were about late 20's early thirties; after they see if dude is alright, the chick immediately reaches in her purse and gives this cat about 40k. He takes it, rubs his elbow and they get into the van. and off they go..

All this took place in the time it took traffic to move. Only in Korea.