I'm Really Curious About This (2 Viewers)

VillageIdiot · 25 July 2019

Netizens discuss the culture of avoiding back seats a.k.a "head seats"

Pann: A basic manner that a lot of people aren't aware of

(In Korea, back seats in cars are seen as "head seats". So only old people or superior people can sit in the back seats. For example, if you're driving for a senior, the senior can sit in the back. Or if you're a taxi driver, the customers can sit in the back.)

1. [+287, -137] When your co-worker is giving you a ride and he's a married man, don't you usually avoid sitting next to him? I don't think his wife will like it.

2. [+276, -261] I don't feel comfortable when someone not close to me sits in the passenger seat. I just want them to sit in the back. It can't be called a basic manner when the preferences are divided like this.

3. [+274, -49] The back seats are head seats ㅠㅠ It's a basic manner in real life.

4. [+186, -79] I personally don't understand why manners like this exist.

5. [+153, -23] It feels like an old-mindset that became a manner.

6. [+120, -9] Shut up, everybody. Just open the door of the passenger seat and ask the driver if you should sit there. The back seats are indeed head seats and old people are really sensitive about it. I'm giving you realistic advice so you won't be called rude in social settings.

7. [+82, -16] People don't really know if they don't own a car. How would you know unless you've given a ride for someone?

8. [+81, -38] Default is the passenger seat and the back seats are optional. This is something that's taught as a basic manner in major companies. Stop coming up with excuses, just do the basics. Just how many ignorant people are out there that the major companies are teaching this to their new workers?

9. [+76, -8] I'm 26 and I didn't know this was a basic manner. I've always sat in the back because the driver had stuff on the passenger seat and I didn't want them to feel uncomfortable. One day, I gave a ride to someone. I told them to sit in the back and they were really apologetic to be sitting in head seats. I don't mind whether they sit in the front or the back, so I remember being confused. I try to avoid riding on someone's car because I can't decide whether to sit in the passenger seat or the back.

10. [+72, -12] I prefer them to sit in the back if they're not close to me... I feel awkward if they sit in the front. And if my boyfriend gives a ride to a woman, I'd want her to sit in the back because the passenger seat is mine.

11. [+70, -34] Sitting in the passenger seat is the default unless the driver tells you to sit in the back. I didn't know people weren't aware of this manner until I read the comments...

12. [+68, -1] A lot of people don't know the manner, don't be too upset~

VillageIdiot · 25 July 2019

A lot of people in the comments agreeing with this viewpoint as well and I just thought it was kinda weird.

I was raised with the mannerism that front seat privilege goes to adults and the elderly, backseat is for kids.

So whenever I get in the car with someone, close or not, I always get in the front seat

Mayday · 25 July 2019

MonCherry said:
A lot of people in the comments agreeing with this viewpoint as well and I just thought it was kinda weird.

I was raised with the mannerism that front seat privilege goes to adults and the elderly, backseat is for kids.

So whenever I get in the car with someone, close or not, I always get in the front seat

Me as well...I guess it's just a culture thing. We'll probably never actually understand it. But for a co-worker, I'd ask them to sit in the back because I'm not close to them.

SiggyStan · 25 July 2019

As someone who is aware of many cultures, as well as having many friends that are currently abroad or are 1st generation immigrants, I cannot possibly keep track of all the small and inconsistent cultural manners or quirks between Europe, Africa and the Middle East alone, even if they have good reason. Forget trying to understand East Asia, at this point I just do whatever I want and am ready to accept the consequences. Also helps that I'm a good talker and can defuse the situation, even if the other person I'm talking to doesn't speak the same language as me. I'm sitting in the back because it has more room and I don't mind not having immediate access to AC. Uber has spoiled me.

Mayday · 25 July 2019

Also, I'd like to state that the reason for younger people to be put in the back in America is because the back seat is the safest in the case of a collision, typically. As Korea respects its' elders much more than the U.S, they probably try to protect them by putting them in the back. @MonCherry

Panda · 25 July 2019

Front seat. Idk about others, but I was raised that giving the back seat to someone when the front was open is sending the message that I don’t wanna be close to them or see them like in a rude sense. And in case such a person existed, I wouldn’t even let them in my car in the first place.

Like I don’t get this comment:

MonCherry said:
[+276, -261] I don't feel comfortable when someone not close to me sits in the passenger seat. I just want them to sit in the back. It can't be called a basic manner when the preferences are divided like this.

like, unless you’re a taxi driver or something... if you’re uncomfortable with them, don’t get them in your car...

Either way, to me, sending someone to the back is like telling them “I don’t wanna see your face.” It just doesn’t sit well with me...

Administrator2 · 25 July 2019

I love how their comments are basically saying that's how it is, deal with it.

Panda · 25 July 2019

notthatmarko said:
I love how their comments are basically saying that's how it is, deal with it.

I mean, what else would you expect from K-Netz?

Panda · 25 July 2019

ReadMyFanfic2 said:
here's how i see it

i mean if it raining and an acquaintance needs a ride

the persons not a stranger, its not uncomfortable because you think they will do something
its just you are not /that/ close . I wouldn't want to deny the person a ride, but talking could be akward or for other reason i would just want a distance. but im not an ass hole to let them walk in a situation when they need a ride

I guess I can see that logic, but I wouldn’t personally go by it..

Mayday · 25 July 2019

notthatmarko said:
I love how their comments are basically saying that's how it is, deal with it.

Me as well! Very helpful to the situation and great advice for people trying to understand societal norms!

Panda · 25 July 2019

ReadMyFanfic2 said:
understandable,
good thing driving here is so hectic that realistically just take a bike xD

It’s helping the environment so it must be good

I wish that I could do the same or at least use public transport, but I live in a desert and don’t want to get a heatstroke. And there’s way too little and way too unsafe public transport where I am at.

Sory · 25 July 2019

Make an acquaintance sit in the backseat is so weird to me. It is reserved only for total strangers, like in a taxi or for children or the younger person of a group. If a coworker was to try to sit in the back when entering my car I'd probably say ''hey I'm not a taxi driver, sit in the front''. But it has never happened, they always go naturally for the passenger seat.

DrowningFishy · 25 July 2019

I was raised you fill in as you go. Unless you're a taxi. Older person got to choose where they wanted to sit. This is usually the front seat since it has more room. If they want to sit in the back seat they can.

Me I prefer the backseat since the front makes me tense since I am usually the one driving.

Simple rules for the car:

Driver picks the music.
Passenger STFU and lets driver pick
Backseat passengers cannot try to drive.

Ahsoka · 25 July 2019

I wasnt raised with any mindset, I just did what I felt like doing which is usually sit at the front unless I was a kid. Sometimes Ill sit in the back but that usually means that theres stuff on the front seat or someone else is sitting there. I straight up do not understand why this is something this big, of all things to overthink to this extent why sitting in a car?

Also the kids should always go in the back imo, its safer for them and unlike elderly people, their bodies are still growing and developing so a collision could be very dangerous for them and tbh just ruin their whole futures. Of course elderly people are important but kids are too, and lets be real kids are our future.

RandAlThor · 25 July 2019

Lol i solve this by only having ever owned sports cars mostly Camaros. While there are back seats only children (for safety because of the airbags) kids in carseats or more than 3 of us in the car... and i really really attempt to not give rides to more than 1 person. Also they are tiny back seats :)

blueberries · 25 July 2019

MonCherry said:
A lot of people in the comments agreeing with this viewpoint as well and I just thought it was kinda weird.

I was raised with the mannerism that front seat privilege goes to adults and the elderly, backseat is for kids.

So whenever I get in the car with someone, close or not, I always get in the front seat

I was thinking exactly same, if the front seat isn't taken and you offer back seat to someone that's insult for sure where i'm from. It will look like you don't want to have conversation and be around that person, like you were forced to drive them somewhere. Besides backseats are less comfortable, and you are more likely to get nauseous cause it's harder to look forward.