I Am Darth Vader
If I am to give you some notion as to how society functions in South Korea, it is necessary to explain the Ajumma (technically, a middle-aged, married lady but see http://coffee-helps.com/2010/04/28/ajumma/ for a more detailed description) in transit. You can consider yourself fortunate when an Ajumma seamlessly sidles into place in line in front of you. That way, you know that shes there just by looking at her, and you would be a fool to interrupt the cultural flow of age before youth by giving her the evil eye, the only way to communicate that she 'budded' in line.
Ofttimes, however, you will feel a strong, capable force charging head-down, bull-style at your back, or needling your side with a rough, dextrous elbow or palm. When you turn, you will see that the only thing to be done is to quickly surrender your space: the mighty Ajumma gets from A to B at the metro, and nothing stops her. The following visual depiction does my experience justice; follow the link if you'd like to see an Ajumma in action!
(Note: Do imagine me in the place of Vader, but, really, when I am ride the metro, the Ajumma reaches the seat first, and I'm pretty sure the Ajummas I've met could leave Vader eating their dust on any old day.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV65KJW17d4
