Two Things.

Two things that happened last week inspired very opposite feelings about Korea.

On Thursday I was walking home from work when I seen a group of 5 or 6 police officers congregating around the traffic lights. At first I thought they were controlling traffic or maybe looking for someone. They were shouting in Korean to each other and a couple were even eyeing me suspiciously. Not wanting to jump the lights with the police there (j-walking in Korea), I stood wondering what the cops were doing. Suddenly, as the light turned green, two officers started piggy back riding their partners across the road in a pre-planned dash for victory. The funniest part was the 5th officer was chasing the other two trying to stick his fingers up their arse, ceremonially known in Korea as 'ddong chim'.

I laughed to myself thinking about he comparison with back home. I don't think you would ever see that. It is heartening to think Korea is such a safe place to live and the fear of crime is so low that police officers can have some fun on duty. Looking back I think the group were a little young and maybe on their first patrol or in training. However I felt no less safe with a group of law enforcement officers who were clearly relaxed in their work.


On Saturday I decided to have a afternoon coffee downtown. A habit which I am beginning to enjoy more and more. I sat down in a antique style coffee house and before I could open the menu an old man started hassling me for money. Now, I occasionally give money to beggars but usually if they appear to be free from drugs or alcohol. Otherwise I'd prefer to give the money to a charity. My compassion for suffering is deep but it is also short. Anyways I shook my head and turned back to the menu. However the beggar refused to go away. Thrusting his palms forward, he drawled "money give me". The waitress came over, two in fact, and gave him some money and I imagine tried to ask hm to leave. He didn't even acknowledge the 500 won they just gave him and now just mumbled in comprehensively while shaking his palms at me. I said no and even in Korean I said 'I don't have money here'. This farce continued and I was starting to get annoyed. I could feel a real scene developing as I was about to stand up and tell the guy to get the hell out of my face. I think the glance from me, the movement of my shoulders to offensive and the offer of more money from another customer eventually changed his demeanour. 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry' he said as he scuttled over to his next victim. I was told that the reason he could get away with coming in was because there was no man on duty. If a Waiter had asked him to leave he would have to oblige; but being an older male he could disregard the protestations of the younger females at will. The idea that foreigners have lots of money and that they occasionally leave a tip, made me the prime target for begging.

On the bright side, beggars happen all over the world but low crime rates are much harder to come by. I'd rather have an occasional beggar because of my white skin than be a target of criminals.