Trash Wars

I alluded to this on my facebook page the other day, but I'd like to properly address it. If you missed it, my status was as follows:

"Holly Hutchens... witnessed a "Box War"... i.e. two elderly men fighting for boxes on the street. Why would two elderly men possibly do this, you ask?? Because the government pays people (usually the elderly population) to collect trash from the streets. Doesn't Korea have trash cans, you ask? No, that's what old people are for, apparently."

This is not a joke. When we first arrived in Seoul, we noticed that there was nowhere to throw our trash, yet there was not any trash on the streets. Where are people putting their trash, we asked. Eventually, we would see people set their trash on curb, on a fence post, really anywhere that wouldn't get directly stepped on. I remember the first time that David threw trash on the ground--it was a small paper cup, previously filled with either coffee or dokbokki (see my food blog). I was flabbergasted that he'd litter because even though it's the culture here, it's not ours. However, I'm fully guilty of it now. Yes, Miss Save-the-Earth litters. I'm ashamed to admit it, but what other choice do I really have? I either have to carry my trash with me in hand or in my purse everywhere I go, which is extremely inconvenient when I have to take subways and buses and walk all over the city. Normally, I'd say, yes, of course, the Earth is worth it. However, here, I am assured that my trash will be picked up within the next 12 hours by some elderly folk. Every morning and night, they comb the streets, crooked backs hunched over picking up my popsicle wrappers, soda bottles, whatever. Seriously, though, it's kind of smart. A great way to make a little extra cash? Or perhaps make a living. Don't quit your day jobs just yet, though, as it's quite a competitive business. It's on par with drug and prostitution corners--everyone has their territory, and invading on someone else's could get you killed. I'm kidding. Who would kill over trash? That's ridiculous, but you might get your ass kicked or a good talkin' to. Take today, for example: While Elderly Man A was scouting out a building for boxes, Elderly Man B grabbed Elderly Man A's pile of boxes (These boxes were stacked so high, I don't think elderly man B could see where he was running). Convenient Store Man warned Elderly Man A. Elderly Man A ran after him yelling what I can only imagine were profanities. Elderly Man B smiled, laughed, probably apologized, and handed over the stolen goods. Is it bad that I was laughing the whole time?

I say, "Way to go, Korea!" Way to create jobs for those who otherwise wouldn't be qualified for anything. Or those who were oppressed by the Japanese and had no opportunities for education.

xx
hh