Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Let The Citizens Of Seoul Teach You About Subway Etiquette, You Monsters
By
Jen Carlson
Published Nov 21, 2014
Modified Nov 21, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Nov 21, 2014
Modified Nov 21, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Around these parts spotting proper subway etiquette is rare. Fact is, if you fill up one subway car with humans, at least 3 of them will do something that will make you silently weep for humankind—these things can range from mildly irksome to unspeakable acts of horribleness. One of the worst offenses, one that will make you lose faith in your fellow humans, is when an able-bodied person will not give up a seat for a pregnant, elderly, or injured person. Isn't it nice to know, though, that it's just us, that we're the problem? Watch below, as subway riders in Seoul don't even dare sit in these designated seats, despite there being no other seats available.
Tagged
Seoul
subway
subway etiquette
original
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
A lost archive of NYC 9/11 street art memorials comes back online
After the attacks, the group Tape Art created 490 silhouettes across the city.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Published Sep 7, 2026
Some untold 9/11 stories are the strangest ones. They come to light in a new documentary.
Some untold 9/11 stories are the strangest ones. They come to light in a new documentary.
By
Stephen Nessen
Arts & Entertainment
Some untold 9/11 stories are the strangest ones. They come to light in a new documentary.
Some untold 9/11 stories are the strangest ones. They come to light in a new documentary.
By
Stephen Nessen
Women gather at Gloria Steinem’s Upper East Side home to lay flowers, pay respects
By
Catalina Gonella
Here’s what NYC's median rent of $4,200 gets you in each borough
By
David Brand
and
James Ramsay
September concerts in NYC: Dancehall, death metal and Erykah Badu
By
Hank Shteamer
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .