BKLOG

I had an idea the other day to document my on-going culture shock with a simple comparison of Korean things and American things.  Today, we will learn about booze, urinals, and sidewalks.

Booze…

Drinking in South Korea lacks, in a word, diversity.  There are a handful of locally brewed beers to choose from… liquor and wine aren’t always easy to find… if you are drinking hooch on the Korean peninsula, chances are it’ll be soju.

Imagine a vodka made from rice without taste or burn.  A green tinted bottle of soju can be obtained from any of the ubiquitous corner stores for about a buck.  These places are open 24 hours and usually have a patio with tables and chairs.  This makes pre-gaming incredibly cheap, quick, and convenient.

Beer in Korea is limited to Hite, Cass, OB, or Caffri.  The latter is the fancy stuff… similar to Corona.  The first three are rumored to be chemically fermented.  I don’t know what that means, but there is a definite metallic taste and I find sometimes that I’m hungover before I’m buzzed.  Foreign beer can be found… but it’s expensive.

The Booze Bottom Line: Although the beer generally sucks, it is cheap.  Plus, soju has a way of making everything ok.  Advantage: Korea.  Added bonus… the alcohol is so caustic to your innards that you only ever want to drink once a week.  This does wonders for the waistline and the wallet.

Urinals…

Taking a leak in Korea can make you feel like Yangban or the lowliest of peasants.  Most facilities are nice, though.  Rarely will I open the bathroom door to find one of those Asian jobs stuck in the floor.  Sometimes there are even handicapped urinals with a network of chrome handles to support yourself while you wee.  My favorite feature is this: a few seconds after you step into the batter’s box, the toilet will let loose with a sort of ‘half-flush’ to help you get your flow started.  Genius!

The Urinal Bottom Line: Advantage: Korea.  There is something magical about indoor plumbing that is designed with your needs in mind.

Sidewalks…

There are few things more dangerous in this country than taking a stroll down your city’s street.  First, the sidewalks are in terrible condition.  Most of them are made with paving bricks which go missing or get uneven and wobbly.  A fellow I know tore open his knee one day while jogging.  To be honest, I’m shocked my maladroit girlfriend hasn’t taken a digger yet.

Then there is the traffic.  People are not the only ones on the sidewalk… oh no.  Cars use them as parking lots, cyclists abandon their designated lanes on the streets, and you must always be ready to jump out of the way of a man and his girlfriend, riding side saddle, on a scooter.

This is all the more bewildering considering most sidewalks aren’t even wide enough for two people walking abreast.  It seems the Korean government decided to do away with sidewalks and instead install very long, uninterrupted lamppost pedestals… because that’s all there is room for many times.

The Sidewalk Bottom Line: Advantage: USA.  I prefer walking to be the safest mode of transportation.