Korean Job Discussion Forums

Tiberious aka Sparkles · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: I'm one cool cat!

This has been bothering me for a while -- since my dear old mum visited Korea around the time of Rapzilla's glorious, miraculous birth (for my wife is still a virgin...what, I never explained about that?) and first posed the question, to be precise. And while I am the antithesis of perception as it relates to automobiles, I have since obsessed over just Why, exactly do SUVs and hatchbacks in Korea -- and perhaps in every other country in the free world, though, as mentioned, I am an ignoramous of unequalled proportion when it comes to noticing things including but not exclusive to: minor automobile details; women who might in all actuality be men; and the correct amount to tip at a restaurant(math is hard!) -- have mirrors mounted on the back, the only purpose of which appears -- to me, being the ignoramous I am -- to reflect back into the car...an image of the inside of the vehicle?

The only reasonably sane answer and purpose I can come up with for the superfluous (to my ignoramous, feeble mind, mind you) mirror is that it's supposed to show you the vehicle's bumper and help keep the driver from ass-knocking other cars while backing up. Alas, it doesn't appear that this is the case; for, while it seems a perfectly good explanation, never have I espied a mirror -- nor in fact do they appear to be able to do so -- pointing downward, toward the bumper.

This is only the mad query of an obviously insane ignoramous, mind you. Feel free to ridicule and tease me as your discretion dicates.

Stupid*_*

*title enhanced by Lemon, no charge, 12:32am*

desultude · Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2004 7:07 am Post subject:

There have been a lot of instances of people running over children as they are backing up their monster SUV's, hence the mirror reflecting what is below the visibility level of the back window.

They are starting to add this feature to cars in the U.S.

Tiberious aka Sparkles · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: I'm one cool cat!

The Lemon · Joined: 11 Jan 2003

I think the mirror is there so you can actually watch the ozone deplete behind your SUV while you drive.

Ban the lot of em. Freud would have a lot to say about SUVs.

Bulsajo · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

I think the subject title of this thread is misleading- you must be on at least #27 by now! Razz

Have you not noticed that the mirrors are of the convex 'wide-view' or 'fisheye' variety? Dude, I'm worried about you- don't get into any spitting contests on apart balconies, ok? Wink

sadsac · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Gwangwang

Having driven a Hyundai Starex van for three years, those crazy mirrors are great for seeing that spot right at the bottom of the rear of your vehicle and often prevent you from driving over some twit that wants to run behind you as you reverse. It also allows you to get in nice and close to the wall when you park, without hitting it. A necessity. Smile

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

The Lemon · Joined: 11 Jan 2003

OK. Air-conditioned SUVs. Thanks for setting me straight.

Tiberious aka Sparkles · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: I'm one cool cat!

I think I've found my answer: convex mirrors. Now my hope is to outdo myself when Stupid Question 2 comes 'round.

Sparkles*_*

dutchman · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: My backyard

They are there to help drivers parallel park. It's much easier when you can see precisely how much room you have between you and the car behind you. Sometimes even a couple centimeters makes the difference. Parking is a rare commodity here. They (we) need all the help we can get to park in tight spaces.