So this post isn’t going to be about some huge thing I’m learning. Just an informational thing for those worriers and an observation about the differences of life in Korea. Some people tell me to “walk with a purpose” (you know who you are! ha) and others ask how safe it is so I thought I’d just share so far.
Several times since I’ve been here people have told me that Korea is one of the safest places. Kids just walk around the city like it’s their backyard. People leave their bikes unlocked and belongings unattended. The thing that people say about it is” laws can be broken but rules cannot be.” Meaning what exactly? That’s a little confusing. So it’s like this, laws are things like traffic. People do whatever the heck they want to when they drive. They park wherever their car fits, they even park other cars in they just leave their car in neutral so the people can move it when they need their car. Drivers just do seriously whatever, but they aren’t hurting anyone, just breaking some laws. Things like that can be broken. Rules, however, cannot be. In Korea you are respectful and that’s that. It’s no messing around. You don’t go around stealing things and doing dumb things like that. They know to get up and give their seat on the subway to their elder. Mostly people just mind their own business. So in this city of 1.6 I have not been scared once walking through the streets. Obviously I have that mindset of an American where people can’t be trusted so I’m still smart about what I do but it’s way more chill here.
This is one of the big culturally differnt things than America. It’s interesting to think about this difference in mindsets. I’m sometimes not even okay with walking from Skye to Arms at night at Geneva. I’m totally okay walking the 5 minutes to school from my apartment at night. It’s just different. (duh) I love experiencing these differences. It’s suuuhweeet.
