…

Cell phone users and their offshoots, text messengers, are still rude, regardless of what language they are using. The adage that you know you have reached the 21st century when you panic because you left your cell phone at home plays out very nicely in Korea. They are joined at the hip with their phones and find it totally baffling that I would turn my phone off or forget to bring it to work with me. In addition, SMS-work in Korean must be witnessed to be really appreciated, as Hangul letter forms are stacked up and down as well as from left to right; talk about thumb push-ups, the folks I’ve watched can really plough through a conversation. They will pick up, deliver and respond to calls/messages regardless of where they are and who they are talking with. It shouldn’t be a surprise that one of the default response modes for most of the phones is “I’m sorry, I am driving, I’ll have to call you back later”, but, of course, they talk on the phone while driving. Thankfully they don’t wave their hands or have exaggerated body movements when they do talk.

I’ve seen a lot of crappy drivers in North America (the driver I saw who was angrily texting, with both hands, while steering with her knees, while in a  gas guzzling mall assault vehicle, has to be the worst example), but the drivers in Korea are definitely something else. They have no concept of checking the blind spot before making a lane change or passing another vehicle. I’ve never seen a driver do it, be it cabbie or colleague. They have attached all sorts of convex spot mirrors to their side views and use additional devices to expand their range of view, but man, I can easily count on the fingers of both hands the number of times I’ve cringed while in a taxi making a lane change. And seat-belts? Rare for adults and I’ve never seen a child with one on – that is just scary and dumb.

I guess something could be said for the practice of not having stop lights, let alone stop signs, at every intersection, that breeding a cautious type of driver. I hope to make a little video some day of the square dance that takes place at the one major intersection where I live. Why I haven’t witnessed an accident there surprises the hell out of me. Of course with all the bad driving there is an industry built around and supporting the use of devices to make your driving experience safer; like air horns for cars. That’s right, multi-tuned, multi-leveled horns that would be right at home on a train or ocean liner or inside a hockey arena. Coming to an intersection? Need to let folks you are not going to stop? That’s right – just lean on the horn and let 120 DB’s do the talking.

Korean teenagers are pretty much like teenagers everywhere – some are the best kids you’d ever want to know – some you’d like to throw back into the drink so they can grow up a little. The concept of standing in line and waiting your turn is not something any Korean subscribes to. I’ve been elbowed out the way more times than necessary in grocery store line ups. I was pretty shocked the first time it happened, but soon learned it is the way things happen here. He who hesitates (or is being polite or is one of the foreign devils) is lost. Funny thing it is usually the grocery shopping moms who do the most shoving and line jumping, even the ones I hold doors open for. Anyway, here I am lining up to get on the bus, it’s raining and no one wants to stand in the rain anymore that me. Along comes this 13-14 year old middle school girl, who bumps me, then cuts in front of me to hop on the bus. I didn’t hesitate, “That was just rude, you know?” She flipped her hair, gave me a quick glance and then kept on moving. Damn – I have to really learn how to say, “What the fuck?” in Korean.

The economy in the land of the morning calm has been taking a beating. This recession is bad everywhere but especially bad for a country that essentially has no natural resources. Korea is really dependent upon exporting a lot of finished goods to help pay for all the raw materials they need to keep the country humming. When other countries either don’t have the ready cash to make the purchases or are retrenching to protect their own industries (watch the bloom come off the rose in Obama-land over the next few months) Korea takes it in the… well, you can guess what part of the anatomy takes that hit. This article spells it out as well as anyone. And this article actually sees some light at the end of the tunnel. By the same token, this article spells out the rosy future for English teaching in this country. I’m now wondering if I just got incredibly lucky. We’ll see – I’m still sticking to the plan I outlined in an earlier posting.

The weather has been improving, ever so slightly since the last time I updated. There have been a few spring like days and the local florists are starting to show off some small flowering plants. There is even some evidence of non-hothouse grown vegetables. Warmer weather, of course, also brings out the fan death stories. See this for details.

I buy into the conservation aspect of the myth/story; this country, like everyone else is suffering through the great recession and it won’t be long before energy costs will be a subject for debate. Since I pay all my bills at the bank (not speaking Korean and signing up to pay bills online would be a nightmare) I wouldn’t be surprised if some teller will start wagging a finger at me for using too much electricity. I do try to be cautious in my energy use and re-cycle as much as I can; but, I don’t think it is going to be enough. This is something my parents went through in the ’30’s and I wonder how much my kids will have to endure in this century.

They can text each other about it I guess.

Until next time – all blessings to you and yours.