To say that Korea had an extraordinary effect on me would be putting it lightly. The country is by turns modern and conservative, at the cutting edge of technology and design but nevertheless intent on promoting its traditional values.
Even when it comes to driving, South Korea is truly a blend of that legendary Asian courtesy and a ferocity born of navigating the most urbanized place on the planet. Getting from A to B requires a good deal of both patience and courage.
For example, Seoul is divided into a complex network of wide boulevards and tiny residential streets, so tiny, in fact, that they double as alleys.
On the major arteries all behaviour is tolerated, if not allowed. Our bus driver (yes, a real, full-size bus) didn’t think twice about popping a U-turn in the middle of a busy boulevard after having missed his exit.
I took the liberty of doing the same behind the wheel of my Soul, to the despair of the Korean student guide assigned as my companion.
In fact, Korean drivers have such a bad reputation that Kia Canada’s financial controller, Korean-born himself, had left his driver’s license at home – to make sure he wouldn’t get behind the wheel.
And not only do drivers there have some pretty strange habits, they also have absolute priority over all pedestrians in every situation: walking anywhere becomes a perilous endeavour.
I used to freely criticize the driving habits of my compatriots, but I admit that I’ve considerably toned things down since I’ve been back! I guess the grass really isn’t greener on the other side.
My young guide thanked me even after a whole day and a half spend in my company, and he congratulated me on driving like a true Korean. I still don’t know if he meant it as a compliment.
Even when it comes to driving, South Korea is truly a blend of that legendary Asian courtesy and a ferocity born of navigating the most urbanized place on the planet. Getting from A to B requires a good deal of both patience and courage.
For example, Seoul is divided into a complex network of wide boulevards and tiny residential streets, so tiny, in fact, that they double as alleys.
On the major arteries all behaviour is tolerated, if not allowed. Our bus driver (yes, a real, full-size bus) didn’t think twice about popping a U-turn in the middle of a busy boulevard after having missed his exit.
I took the liberty of doing the same behind the wheel of my Soul, to the despair of the Korean student guide assigned as my companion.
In fact, Korean drivers have such a bad reputation that Kia Canada’s financial controller, Korean-born himself, had left his driver’s license at home – to make sure he wouldn’t get behind the wheel.
And not only do drivers there have some pretty strange habits, they also have absolute priority over all pedestrians in every situation: walking anywhere becomes a perilous endeavour.
I used to freely criticize the driving habits of my compatriots, but I admit that I’ve considerably toned things down since I’ve been back! I guess the grass really isn’t greener on the other side.
My young guide thanked me even after a whole day and a half spend in my company, and he congratulated me on driving like a true Korean. I still don’t know if he meant it as a compliment.