I give up! For the past two months I have been pushed, elbowed, grabbed, shoved, and received so many scowls from others that I’m beginning to regret ever entering the gauntlet we call ``line number 2.”
But yet again, I’m on the 5:45 a.m. subway to Gangnam. As I get on, nobody moves, everyone seems unwilling to give up their position near the door. Annoyed, I stare hard in the eyes of one of the gentlemen in my way. He begrudgingly moves to the side and lets me past. Hoping to cause myself little stress this morning, I go to the other side of the subway car away from opening doors.
We pass many stations with people constantly getting on meeting the same fate. As we stop at Seoul National University of Education Station, the group of people closest to the doors makes a small passage for the exiting passengers, but once they have exited, they quickly lunge at the closing doors; everyone bumping, pushing. The whole scene reminds me of eight-year-old elementary school students rushing to the classroom door and fighting for position to be the first one out.
Once everyone has adjusted themselves into position, the anticipation for the coming event creates a tense atmosphere. Then it happens, we stop and the doors to Gangnam open. Everyone rushes out like runners off the starting blocks. The pushing resumes within the crowd, as I calmly step out of the car, reluctant to join of the group. I stand back and look over the members of the group, trying to understand why they act with such discourtesy. But I notice something; a commonality. They are predominately elderly.
To read the full article, go to the Korean Times website.
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