牍Μ 牍Μ Syndrome?

Hi,

To all expats. After living in Korea for X number of months/years, have you developed this particular "hurry hurry" way of life? If so, in what ways.....and is it for the better, or is it a problem?

Thanks ~ and cheers,

M.

edit: I welcome an answer from anyone, sorry to be so picky^^

The bally bally syndrome is a joke. It's really an excuse to push and shove at the subway and bus stop. In reality, the Korean work force is one of the most inefficient in the world. It's not fast paced at all.

In fact, when we meet someone "Korean time" is 5 to 30 minutes after the planned meeting.

After years of military life I am a stickler for being on time and doing what I say I am going to do. Even if I say it flippantly. This is not necessarily a good thing.
If anything, Koreans have taught me to slow down. It is expected for friends to show up late due to traffic. I expect to be let down by Korean friends because they did not have the heart to tell me something was not possible here. It is what it is.
So, no. I don't find life in Korea particularly hurried. Not compared to the more rigid structure I am used to.

This syndrome does not always indicate that you are in a rush. It's also used jokingly to indicate the well known Korean impatience with...taxi drivers in Bangkok, economic development, food service...

So you're in a rush. You get more done.

Actually I sort of developed the opposite. I'm the kind of person who is usually early, and I leave myself extra time. In Korea everyone always tends to be running late, so when I'm behind the clock, I didn't worry about it. And it was kind of cool moving slower in a world that moved so fast. One of my favorite things to do in Seoul was to just take an extra slow walk down the street. But now that I'm back in the US I find that the pace of life is TOO slow outside of the city.

Well, I believe it is a problem. Korea has become too devoloped too quickly.

You see work half-assed done. Safety standards not observed and adhered to etc.

No it isn't for the better. It took us 300 years to become developed not 30 years, and it shows.