Korean people #2

Another quagmire about Korean people: are they polite or rude?

Its hard to say, really. Just when you've about decided one way, someone surprises you. Old women will push you out of the way to get on the bus, when you were ahead of them in line. Taxis won't stop to pick you up. A bus driver will give you an irritated look, as if you are holding up his day by getting on his bus. And then an old man will smile and give up his seat for you. Or a woman will walk out of her way to give you directions.

One thing is sure, Koreans love children. My friend has an adorable blond son about 3, who figured this out and uses it to his advantage. Often when they rode a crowded subway, someone would get up to offer them a seat. And sometimes, older people sitting around him would offer him a little snack (they'd probably be arrested in the States). My friend's son, being the intelligent cunning young child that he his, has started walking up and down the car whenever they ride, looking at everyone with his cute little eyes until someone gives him a seat or snack. "I'm so hungry!" he exclaims. My friend offers him snacks from her purse, but these obviously are not as exciting as snacks from strangers. And, most of the time, it works.