26 September 2009

Korean house numbers


In most countries, when you are looking for a house you can follow the numbers on the buildings. They are arranged in a logical numbered sequence, right? Not in Korea. Next to House No. 1 could be house No. 88 or anything! House No. 2 will probably be half a mile away. Why? I wondered. Something to do with confusing the invading North Korean troops when they arrive, as somebody helpfully suggested? No. Apparently, they are numbered according to their age. So No. 1 will be the oldest house on the street. What happens if they tear it down and build a new one on the same spot, God only knows. Anyway, what it all means is that giving your address to a taxi driver is next-to-useless. You have to guide them every step of the way.
Photo credit to Hovs.

4 comments:

  1. MarkSeptember 26, 2009 at 9:49 PM

    I believe this is the same in Japan (at least Tokyo). It makes ordering a pizza tricky for the delivery guy.

    ReplyDelete
  2. MinnesotastanSeptember 27, 2009 at 1:14 AM

    If I remember correctly, when I was in Gamla Stan (Oslo) looking for a hotel years ago, the street numbers went up one side of a street and came back down the other side. Very difficult for a visitor to figure out.

    Those crazy Norwegians...

    ReplyDelete
  3. IanSeptember 27, 2009 at 5:37 AM

    Forget the pizza guy, what about the paramedics? It's often hard enough for us to find addresses when they're sequential. This is ridiculous!

    P.S. folks, make sure your house number is clearly visible from the street night and day. Those red LED number plates are a godsend.

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownMarch 12, 2016 at 9:20 PM

    OMG! I just know about No. of house that NK. setting it.
    I agree with you that it must be very confusing about it.

    ReplyDelete