The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

KOREAN CUSTOM

IN KOREA, THE TRAIN ENGINEERS DRIVE WITH THE LIGHTS OUT
ON THE TRAINS AT NIGHT. THIS IS SO THEY CAN'T SEE WHAT'S
ON THE TRACKS, BECAUSE IF THEY HIT SOMEONE, CUSTOM
DICTATES THAT WHOEVER OR WHATEVER TOUCHES THE DEAD
MAN FIRST IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FUNERAL. RICK OBSERVED
THIS IN KOREA, 1956 (?).

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD