7 Korean Culture Shocks - safety matters
Safety! I thought this would be a fitting post now since it's still winter and winter means snow and snow means big problems in traffic.
At least here.
In Sweden, where I grew up, safety is kind of a big thing.
And I'm not saying it's not important here in Korea, but I feel that it's a bit different in many ways.
I thought it might be a bit interesting to hear about it so here is a list of 7 things I've encountered in Korea that is quite different from Sweden (and probably many other places) in terms of safety.
Most of them are connected to traffic. ><
1. Winter but no winter tires.
When the snow falls so prettily and covers the land with an innocent cold white blanket...
.. CHAOS happens! 😑
It's kind of a calm chaos because not much happens. Even hardworking people stay at home and get like a mini vacation. 👍
Without snow tyres or chains the cars get useless even with just a little snow on the ground.
A few winters ago my husbands car got stuck in a little slope and we had to abandon it there and walk home instead. ^^
This winter, we almost had an accident at the mountain because the snowy road was slippery and also a few weeks ago our car got stuck right in front of an apartment buildings entrance.
I thought it was only in Jeju people don't use winter tires but I'm not so sure. Does anyone know about this?
2. The non-use of safety belts.
Apparently the use of safety belt in the back seat is optional. Or could even be seen as unnecessary.
There are not exactly few car accidents in this country though.
I've actually witnessed a few during my two years living here. I kind of got used to it now. It doesn't really surprise me that much anymore.
Many seem to think that sitting in the back is safe even if there would be a collision - which I don't understand at all. 😑
To make a comparison, in Sweden everyone in the car must use seat belt or you might get a fine for it. A small fact here; The three-point-seat-belt was innovated by a Swedish car company.
Not to brag or anything, just to make a point. 😂
Protip!
If you drive in Korea, be very cautious around taxis! Taxi drivers are very bold and will make a stop or change lanes whenever they feel like it!
3. The point of a zebra crossing is..?
Well, I would say the point of a crosswalk is that it's made so pedestrians can cross the street safely... isn't it?
Jay walking, on the other hand, basically means to cross hurriedly wherever the pedestrian feels like it and then some car might angrily honk at you for doing such an irresponsible thing.
In Sweden I would walk up to a zebra crossing (without a traffic light) and just stand there while watching the oncoming car slow down. Then I might give the driver a thankful nod or wave and then happily cross the street.
Of course not every car will stop for you (even if they should) but if one car doesn't stop then probably the next one will.
In Korea however, there are a lot of crosswalks without signals but I don't really see the point of them being there. No one ever stops for you if you stand there waiting. One actually has to just get out on the road and hope for the best.
But even when I have done just that, cars have honked at me from quite afar to stop me from crossing as if I was jaywalking or something. 😑😑
So when walking home from the supermarket with my hands full of groceries just trying to cross the street safely, I end up having to either wait wait wait at the crossing until there is not a car in sight or bust a few ninja-moves while ignoring the honking. 😂
So no, I don't understand why we even have those striped crossings.
If you understand this please tell me! 😄
Thank you!
4. Parked cars EVERYWHERE
The streets are packed with cars. A few times I even saw parked ones on a crosswalk.
Because the streets are packed with parked cars it often feels a bit dangerous to get out on a bigger road because the view is so bad due to the cars parked on and close to the corners.
I don't know. The crowded streets makes me feel a bit 답답해 - frustrated. 😥
5. Mopeds mopeds mopeds! 🛵
Most of them are delivery service and they need to get to their destination ASAP or else the food will get cold and the customers will get grumpy.
I understand all that.. BUT!
I'm also a bit scared of them. Especially when they cross the crosswalk while all the pedestrians are crossing. And I'm also a bit worried about them because they often take a lot of risks (like crossing an intersection at red light or such..).
6. Let's just walk thru this construction site..
Yep, you can actually walk into a construction place here. Without any safety stuff and clothes and helmets. There is often a sign of some sort to make one aware but not much of an enclosure.
I'm tend to get a bit scared and usually pass by while looking up to see if something is falling down on me. 😂
In Sweden you can't just enter a construction site like that. Not without permission and safety clothes.
7. Feeling relatively safe in Korea.
Okay, I realise that this have been a bit whiny and mostly me complaining about traffic in Korea, but what about other safety matters?
I'm no expert but I can just say how I feel living here.
I feel quite safe walking on the street (as long as it's not a crossing! 😂) and even at night I feel relatively safe being out.
I also feel like pickpockets are quite rare here compared to Sweden.
I also don't walk around checking my pockets as I would do in Europe.
I feel like people know the difference between 'mine and yours' and respect that here and that is something I really appreciate.
This doesn't mean everyone's a thief in Europe 😂. Simply, Korea has a low crime rate compared to many other modern countries. 🙂
That's all for this time!
I hope I didn't step on any tender toes writing this.. 😁 Stay safe everyone! 😄