Job Discussion Forums

[MrWright]

I know tattoos are common in Thailand, or so I have been lead to believe. What might be the public reaction to a foreign teacher with tattoos be? Would that be looked down upon? Thx.

[Pauleddy]

Yes.

I know of a teacher with a lot, but they are all under shirt. He can't wear a short-sleeve shirt.

Middle class and "higher" Thai people associate them with lower class country people and thugs. Some people have religious tattoos, incl. some monks. Sure, some punks and goths and silly kids get them done, like everywhere. There are bikers too, but they aren't teachers.

Thais are conservative, and traditionally a teacher is held in high esteem, like a doctor--even though this is changing now.

Thais expect overseas teachers to be clean-cut, smart etc. No jeans and nothing that marks you as strange.

Eddy

[MrWright]

Ironically, I am very clean cut in appearance and appear sort of studious and nerdy. I have 2/3 sleeves on both arms, but its good quality, colorful stuff. Mostly buddhist. Not the crappy prison/gang type tats. So I would have to wear long sleeve shirts in class? Is that hard with the heat? And would that cause a negative reaction from just bumping into people in public if I wore short sleeve shirts? Will this issue pretty much be the same for me across Asia? If this is going to be a problem, can anyone suggest where else I might be able to teach? Perhaps South America? Thanks.

[Pauleddy]

Yes, you wd have to wear long shirts at my university and most places.

Some days, the heat wd be heavy. Depends on u. Some people are thin and not sweaty.

If u get a job in a school or an academy, the parents of kids may comment. If you meet people outside, some would certainly glance at the pics and try to work u out. It's not "normal" here. On this board, people are always asking about clothes, and we try to tell them shirt, often tie, no jeans, work pants, smart shoes etc. Thai society is based on "presentation" (as well as hierarchy)--you could have 2 PhDs and an IQ of 190, but u won't be hired unless you "look right". Directors, parents etc want you to look like 100pc american boy.

The best thing is never to show the pics. Have a full shirt from day 1.

Thai society is not "politically correct". It's 50 years behind. In some places you could sue for discrimination, not here.

Having said all that, I would hate you to change yr life because of my answers. get some more comments.

Eddy

[roguegrafix]

What Pauleddy says is true. At my university they're pretty casual when it comes to dress codes (you can wear jeans on occasion) but we're out in the sticks. I've a friend who has a silly tat on his arm -- when he is teaching, he keeps it covered but if he meets someone outside of work, he's often in a t-shirt. Nobody looks down on him because they know him. As Pauleddy says, keep them covered while you're getting the job but socially, after a year or so, then it probably wont be a problem.

[MrWright]

Seem to be getting mixed opinions. For what its worth, I posted the same question in the Indonesia forum, and they said it should be fine, and I assume that it is more conservative there than in Thailand. Some wrote that they would be surprised if I had any problems anywhere in SE Asia. Does anyone disagree with that? I assume that I would need to cover them while in class no matter what country I am in. I do here in the states. I am more worried about a general hostility from the public while out and about in the world. I want to know if I would be violating some cultural taboo and looked down upon by the average person. Appreciate the feedback!

[sheikxhoni]

I love this thread because, as an older guy, I hated all the stupid tats my daughter got. Yes you can try to go anywhere and do anything you want with whatever tattoos you have where ever you have them - but good luck. You will always wonder why people don't think highly of you. I kinda think of tattos in the same catagory as having a boogger hanging out your nose and you don't realize it. Except you made the choice to do it. No one will say anything but the first impression is always important. I have one tatoo for each place I have lived - Albania, Dominican Republic, and Thailand - and they are the small kind on my upper back. But I stare when I see someone with tats going up the neck or on the hands or face. Tats are forever and they are often a result of a decision made when you are at an age when you don't worry one bit about the future. But who listens to advice at the age when most people get tattos. Some one please remind my daughter of that when she wants to wear something other than a shirt with a high neck and long sleeves for parent teacher conferences. Why should the teacher's subliminal opinion of the mother affect my grandson? But it could! Thanks for the chance to muse on this - -

[frankly speaking]

The main reason that you will get mixed ideas is because there isn't one view of Thailand. What I see in Thailand and how I live is not the same as others. There are many foreigners and Thais that have tatoos, some high society show offs, but mostly lower classes. Most middle class families are more rigid. You are definitely mis informed if you think that Indonesia is more rigid than Thailand.

Yes, some schools might be relaxed especially more rural schools, but if you really knew what your Thai colleagues say about the foreign teachers and the manner in their dress, you would not like it.

Ultimately, if you are a good teacher and deliver what the students need, then you will not have problems. I break a few of the norms myself and yes it does shut a few doors but mostly I am not stifled.

Cover up your Tattoos while at school. Dress in long sleeve shirts, like most everyone else.

Besides, do you really want students to be staring at your tattoos in class instead of paying attention. Thai students don't need any help in getting distracted.