Only buses leisurely run on Jongno street in central Seoul which is normally crowded with cars during rush hours, Monday, the World Car Free Day. The campaign was simultaneously observed in about 2,000 cities in 40 countries across the world. / YonhapBy Na Jeong-juStaff ReporterPresident Lee Myung-bak rode a bicycle to work and Seoul's mass transit firms offered free rides to commuters during morning rush hours Monday as the city participated in World Car Free Day.Seoul closed public parking lots and blocked major roads in downtown areas to ``offer fresh air and jam-free streets'' to citizens.The city government spent millions of dollars to promote the day, but many still drove their cars to work, causing backups in central Seoul.

``President Lee and all Cheong Wa Dae staff refrained from using cars throughout the day,'' a presidential spokesman said. ``Lee arrived in his office on a bicycle while his secretaries took buses and subway trains.''Lee and his secretaries used a mini-van to get to Seoul Station and then a train to attend an event in Daejeon.Performances were held on the car-free streets.``Today, I took the subway for free and enjoyed fun events for free,'' said Lee Mi-jung, 23, who works at a shop in Jongno, central Seoul.

``Some people complain about the inconvenience, but it is meaningful to have this kind of day to raise public awareness about environmental protection.''The car-free day was simultaneously observed in 2,000 cities in 40 countries.

The campaign was created by the World Car Free Network, an organization dedicated to promoting alternatives to car dependence and automobile-based planning at the international level.The inaugural event was held in France in 1997 and was established as a Europe-wide initiative by the European Commission in 2000. It has since gone global.

jj@koreatimes.co.kr

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Contrary to the common belief, multi-tasking is not the answer to accomplishing more things in a fixed amount of time. Rather than dealing with stress, it's time to switch back to an emphasis on doing one thing at a time and doing it well. It's possible to be productive, effective, and stress free by a disciplined approach to what you do and when you do it. Effective leaders make sure they are working on high priority tasks - the tasks are such that others can't do them, and they don't waste time. Adapt these techniques to be productive and stress-free.

Awareness: As with any life change, an important first step is awareness. For one week, keep a log of everything you do in a day and how long each task takes.

Prioritize: A key to stress free productivity is to work on important tasks to the exclusion of lesser tasks. Review the log of activities and identify those tasks producing the greatest benefit.

Avoid Interruptions: Interruptions are your enemy. Some interruptions are unavoidable, but not as many as you might think. For starters, don't allow self initiated interruptions, such as checking email or voicemail. Establish interruption-free periods of the day when you'll focus on the most important tasks and avoid email, phone calls, and in-person interruptions.

Establish Processes: Anything you do that is routine is a candidate for a highly efficient process. Trim unnecessary steps from routines and look for ways to automate, outsource, or delegate.

Empower Others: What do you do that others in the family or at work could do and would be willing to do? We often tend to underestimate the capability of others, seeing them as they were in earlier years when they were inexperienced and dependent. Practice these techniques, and you'll find yourself completing your tasks with lower stress, higher quality, and greater satisfaction.

VOCABULARY BANK

contrary
• adjective opposite in nature, direction, or meaning.
productive
• adjective achieving or producing a significant amount or result
discipline
• noun controlled behavior resulting from such training; train in obedience or self-control by punishment or imposing rules.
priority
• noun a thing regarded as more important than others.
adapt
• verb become adjusted to new conditions.
log
• noun an official record of events.
exclude
• verb deny access to; keep out; remove from consideration.
identify
• verb establish the identity.
interrupt
• verb stop the continuous progress of; stop (a person who is speaking) by saying or doing something.
unavoidable
• adjective not able to be avoided or prevented; inevitable.
automate
• verb convert (a process or facility) to operation by automatic equipment
outsource
• verb obtain by contract from an outside supplier.
delegate
• noun a person sent to represent others, in particular at a conference; a member of a committee.
empower
• verb give authority or power to; give strength and confidence to.
underestimate
• verb regard (someone) as less capable than they really are.
inexperience
• noun lack of experience.

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According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA)기상청, this fall is likely to be clear and mild. ＂Though summer saw frequent sudden downpours as well as heat waves, the weather in autumn will be clear and dry with large differences between morning and evening temperatures - a typical Korean autumn,＂said Lee Man-je, head of the KMA.


The temperature is expected to be slightly higher than last year’s 8-19 degrees Celsius in September. High atmospheric pressure from the North Pacific will affect the Korean peninsula, bringing clear and mild weather.

October will see even drier and clearer days with the early morning and daytime temperature differences widening further. There will be some chilly days and the mountainous areas of Gangwo-do and Gyungsangbuk-do are likely to experience frost.

In November, there will be some cold days due to continental high atmospheric pressure. However, the weather will still be dry and mild. But the west coast and Gangwon-do could see some snow.

Also, one typhoon is likely to hit the peninsula. The KMA said there will be 9-10 typhoons in the northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean, one of which will affect Korea.

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Our world is comprised of a great number of countries, an array of cultures and rich traditions. No two countries have the same customs which makes our world very wonderful, though perhaps also confusing . Well, confusing in what way? Have you ever traveled to a foreign country and been unsure of the customs and proper etiquette ? If you've ever been a stranger in another country, you may have found yourself embarrassed at times if you were unfamiliar with the local rules and customs. What is normal in one country may be viewed as totally disgusting in another country. Let's explore some table manners and etiquette from around the world!

While eating meals, Koreans use chopsticks and a spoon. Most Western countries use a fork and knife at the dinner table. But have you ever given thought to which hand to use while you eat?

In India, people traditionally don't use any cutlery while eating their meals. If done correctly, eating with your hands is a technique that is not as messy as it may seem. In northern India, the food should only be touched with your fingertips , and is considered rude if it touches anywhere above the knuckles of your hand. Indians believe that eating with a clean hand is much more hygienic than eating with a fork or chopsticks. It is also believed that the diner can pay closer attention to the food and enjoy the meal more if they use their hands.

Let's now take a look at American dining etiquette. In America, it is considered very rude using your hands to eat, unless it is some type of finger-food such as pizza, chicken fingers or bread. It is stressed in American culture that you should not chew with your mouth open, nor talk while there is food in your mouth. Americans also think it is very rude if you rest your elbows on the table while eating a meal. Most Americans think it is important to wait until everyone is served before you start eating your meal. Lastly, if you don't finish everything on your plate, it is often a sign that you did not particularly like the food.

In France, adding condiments to a dish before even tasting it may be really insulting to the chef . Many French believe that condiments hide the taste of the meal. While eating in France, it is always polite to have both of your hands visible at all times. In French restaurants, it is often common for ladies to sit in the chairs with their backs to the wall, while men sit in chairs that face the ladies and the wall. When you've finished eating a meal in France, put your knife and fork on the plate together in the middle.

It may seem extremely confusing trying to remember all of the different customs and proper etiquette while eating. But if you ever get the chance to eat in a foreign country, don't be too nervous because you may just lose your appetite. People will most likely understand that you are from a different country and are unaware of their table manners. Perhaps they'll even try to teach you the customs of their country, and you can return the favor by teaching them some from Korea!

VOCABULARY BANK

array
• noun an impressive display or range of a particular thing.
etiquette
• noun the code of polite behavior in a society.
unfamiliar
• adjective not having knowledge or experience of.
disgusting
• adjective arousing revulsion or strong indignation.
cutlery
• noun knives, forks, and spoons used for eating or serving food.
technique
• noun a way of carrying out a particular task, a procedure that is effective in achieving an aim.
messy
• adjective untidy or dirty.
knuckle
• noun a part of a finger at a joint where the bone is near the surface
hygienic
• adjective promoting or conducive to hygiene; sanitary.
condiment
• noun a seasoning or relish for food, such as salt or mustard.
insult
• verb /insult/ speak to or treat with disrespect or abuse.
chef
• noun a professional cook, especially the chief cook in a restaurant or hotel.
visible
• adjective able to be seen or noticed.
extreme
• adjective to the highest degree; very great; highly unusual; exceptional.
unaware
• adjective having no knowledge of a situation or fact.
favor
• noun approval or liking; an act of kindness beyond what is due or usual.

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