Korea is a country where public transportation is really convenient. Among these public transportation methods, subways in Korea are located in most large cities, and they are so convenient that you can go anywhere in the city just by subway. Even the price is low, but in Seoul, it is often faster to use the subway than to travel by car, so the subway in Korea is the most popular public transportation for Koreans. Today, we will learn about Korean subway etiquette that foreigners may make mistakes when riding such a good Korean subway.
1. Transportation-impaired seats should not be seated.
There are transportation vulnerable seats at both ends of the subway compartment in Korea. Only disabled, elderly, pregnant women, and infant companions can sit in this seat. Also, people who are not feeling well or have injuries, and children may sit down.
Koreans who are not vulnerable to transportation leave the vulnerable seats empty even if there are no people in the vulnerable seats. However, you don’t have to worry about causing inconvenience by accidentally sitting in the transportation vulnerable seat because you don’t know Hangul. Transportation-impaired seats are easily distinguished because the color of the seats is different from other regular seats.
2. If you are not pregnant, you should leave the maternity seat empty.
There are maternity seats for pregnant women on the subway in Korea. Pregnant women’s seats should also be empty like transportation vulnerable seats. If all seats are full and you are seated in the pregnant woman’s seat, you should give up your seat to a pregnant woman wearing a sign indicating that you are pregnant.
3. When getting on the subway, everyone getting off should get on after getting off.
The population density of the Korean subway is really high.
No matter what time I try to take the subway, there are many people. Especially during the morning rush hour or evening rush hour, the subway platform and subway compartment will be full. When you try to take the subway after the subway arrives, if everyone who gets off the subway doesn’t get off, they will bump into each other and interfere with smooth traffic.
So when you take the subway, everyone has to take it after getting off. To prevent dangerous accidents, subways in Korea regularly broadcast these contents and post notices. Taking a slow ride doesn’t mean you can’t get on the subway, so let’s wait for everyone who wants to get off with a comfortably.
4. You have to wait for the subway, in the bathroom, or line up anywhere in the subway station.
Korea is a country where line-up culture is well established. Especially, you can see people lining up well on the subway. In all situations, such as taking the subway, using the subway station bathroom, or using the store in the subway station, you have to wait in line until your turn comes. If you don’t keep the line well, you may have to be prepared for the eyes of Koreans!
