Is Korea Safe? What Happened When I Left My Laptop in a Cafe
I walked out of a busy cafe in Seoul, leaving my expensive laptop wide open on the table... and realized it 20 minutes later. What do you think happened?
To be honest, the moment I realized what I had done, my heart absolutely dropped. I was new to Korea, and my laptop contained everything—from urgent work files to years of personal photos. I had only intended to go to the restroom for a minute, but distracted by a phone call, I found myself walking out of the cafe and down the street.
"I'm doomed." That was the only thought in my head. Back home, leaving a laptop unattended for even five seconds is an invitation for theft. But this experience completely changed how I view South Korea. You might have heard YouTubers say, "Korea is safe," but you don't truly believe it until you live it. Today, I’m going to share exactly what happened that day and the shocking truth about safety in Seoul.
Table of Contents
The Moment of Pure Panic
I sprinted back to the cafe. My lungs were burning, not just from running, but from the anxiety. In most major cities around the world—Paris, New York, or London—an unattended MacBook is as good as gone. I was mentally preparing myself for the police report, the lost data, and the expense of buying a new computer.
The cafe was located in a busy district, packed with students and office workers. Anyone could have easily swiped it and disappeared into the crowd.
What I Saw When I Returned
I burst through the cafe doors, scanning the room frantically. And there it was.
My laptop was sitting exactly where I left it. The screen was still on. My wallet, which I had foolishly left next to it, was untouched. My iced Americano was sweating on the coaster.
Nobody was even looking at it. In fact, a stranger had taken the seat opposite my table, reading a book, completely ignoring my valuables. The relief washed over me so hard I almost laughed. In Korea, this is normal. Locals use their phones, wallets, or expensive bags to reserve seats while they go order food. It’s called the "Cafe Seat Holding Culture," and it blows foreigners' minds.
Why is Korea So Safe?
How is this possible? Is everyone just incredibly nice? While Koreans are generally honest, there are two main factors at play:
- The CCTV Network: Korea is one of the most surveilled countries in the world. There are cameras everywhere—in cafes, on streets, inside buses, and in every shop. If someone steals something, they will be caught.
- The Black Box Culture: Almost every car has a dashboard camera (black box) recording 24/7. There are simply no blind spots in Seoul.
The One Thing You MUST Watch Out For
However, Korea is not a crime-free utopia. While you can leave your $2,000 laptop on a table, there is one item that disappears instantly: Bicycles.
There is a running joke that Koreans are strictly law-abiding citizens until they see an unlocked bicycle. It’s a strange cultural paradox. So, feel free to leave your phone on the cafe table while you order your latte, but lock your bike up tight!
Coming to Korea? Don't stress too much about pickpockets. Enjoy the freedom of not clutching your bag every 5 seconds. Just remember the golden rule: Respect the culture, but maybe don't test your luck too much!
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