Walk on the Right hand side

[monosharp]

http://features.csmonitor.com/global...he-right-side/

So I'm living in Korea and the government have started pushing its new policy, walking on the right hand side.

After generations of doing the opposite, South Koreans will be directed to walk, go up and down stairs, and use escalators on the right-hand side beginning Oct. 1. Entrance signs will be flipped at airports and transit stations; newly installed arrows will guide the wayward.

South Korea has been a right-hand-drive nation since its first president, Syngman Rhee, ordered his people to do the opposite of their former colonizers, the Japanese.

But walking on the left is something that Koreans have done since before they can remember – for the simple reason it was what they were taught. The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs says it’s trying to bring the country in line with “global walking culture” as Korea endeavors to become an international business hub. But not all residents are so sure about the decision.

“It won’t be easy,” says Lee Pil-young, a parking lot attendant, adding that people will probably go up and down stairs whichever way they please. “I don’t think it’s helpful.”

The ministry is confident that walking on the right will bring an estimated increase in walking speed of 1.2- to 1.7-fold (in a land where “quickly, quickly!” is a mantra), and a 13 to 18 percent reduction of walkers’ “mental burdens.”

So on the advertisements on TV etc it says that Korea must start doing what the rest of the world does, i.e > Walk on the right hand side.

They are telling people here that walking on the right hand side and walking clockwise is the 'global' standard and walking on the right will make people happy.

Maybe big Brian should try this at home and make people happy ?

[wudangclan]

It's like them bloody foreigners ,walking on the right ,when they come here on hols ,making life difficult for us left-side walkers.
A right nuisance.

[john-joe]

Two threads about korea in ONE day, never knew it was so popular...

[admiralofthefleet]

indeed

[Captain Furball]

Originally Posted by admiralofthefleet

indeed

lol

[electrogrimey]

I'd fully support this being brought it. I thought it was kind of an unwritten rule to walk on the right, especially on busy narrow bridges and such.

F*ck NAMA and public sector pay, this is the real issue.

[NothingMan]

Rest of the world.... Except Ireland! In no other country is it acceptable to have 2 or 3 people abreast on an escalator so people in a hurry can't walk by! I hate being stuck on a slow moving escalator behind some idiots who know i'm there and it's empty all the way to the bottom.

In London you'd probably be pushed down the stairs! In Germany they would just glower you down until you cried and confessed to every misdeed since you were born but in Ireland we just stand impatiently and then moan about it later on the interwebular hypernet!

[electrogrimey]

Originally Posted by NothingMan

Rest of the world.... Except Ireland! In no other country is it acceptable to have 2 or 3 people abreast on an escalator so people in a hurry can't walk by! I hate being stuck on a slow moving escalator behind some idiots who know i'm there and it's empty all the way to the bottom.

In London you'd probably be pushed down the stairs! In Germany they would just glower you down until you cried and confessed to every misdeed since you were born but in Ireland we just stand impatiently and then moan about it later on the interwebular hypernet!

I noticed this alright around Europe, and it's not just an unwritten thing, there are signs everywhere saying 'please stand on the right', in some ridiculous non-English language. "S'il vous plaît tenir à droite" = ridiculous gibberish.

[CreepingDeath]

Can't wait to see the chaos at revolving doors over there.

[NothingMan]

Maybe 2 Wongs will make a right!

[who the fug]

Originally Posted by NothingMan

In London you'd probably be pushed down the stairs!!

I never push, just barge my way through muttering about effing tourists


Don't even start me on them morans with bags on wheels blocking the platforms on the tube every morning

[steviecakes]

Originally Posted by NothingMan

Maybe 2 Wongs will make a right!

Quote of the day!

[mikemac]

When I went to London I was warned about this.
And it works perfectly, people stand on the right and everyone else can rush past.

So why doesn't it work here?

[WindSock]

Factoid: The reason people drive and walk on the left stems back from times past when many had swords so they wouldn't clash when walking and on horses.

[Mousey-]

seriously....why....i dont walk n any particular side...i think this was some north korean deception


"you south koreans dont even walk on right side of street"
in kim jong il accent