Job Discussion Forums

[parvati_overdrive]

id done a search under 'clothing' and not turned up much...

my focus will be university teaching - yunnan, guangzhou or hainan...

im a very casual guy at heart prefering sandals and shorts but do understand these may not be suitable attire for class (at universty)?

another issue i have is i, being a hobo at heart travel as light as possible.

can anyone provide a minimum basic clothes set for the classroom?

1. Pants
a) i have three nice suits i had made here in thailand. as the bottom dropped out of the i.t. market, i only need one suit. i could take these slacks (and toss the jackets). it would save me money, id have very smart slacks (wool140s) -but id ruin two nice suits?
b) i could have three sets of slacks made here in thailand for about us75
c) store bought dockers -dockers are good because they can be worn casually BUT..they are heavy!
d) store bought slacks - pricey, not a good option.
* im honestly torn. ill never go thru three suits at this point, but a shame. the slacks may be too formal anyway (but lightwt). dockers are damn heavy!

2. Shirts
a) for school, i have 6 thin poly/cotton pinpoint white shirts -perfect me thinks.

3. Ties
a) i have some nice proper ties - do i need any? 1 or 6?

4. Shoes
a) i have some nice shoes that i can wear with most anything in class and then some topsiders that could also be worn to class

** i hope that it is possible to simply teach in nice button down collar shirts and shorts in the summer and dockers in the winter.

>>> best option for me personally: five collar shirts that could be worn in/outside class, two pair of dockers, one pair of shoes (maybe two). ties?

this is all part of putting together the lightest yet appropriate gear -


much thanks!

[parvati_overdrive]

ps: i am aware that by and large the 'shorts thing' is a western anomally. most asians do not wear shorts out and about. but im ok with that -its a question of whether it will fly with the uni/students -im already a freak being a foreigner

[tofuman]

May be regional, but lots of people in my parts wear shorts and rubber sandals in the rainy season. Most sensible outfit. I'd lose the polyester and go for pure cotton. It's much cooler.

As for wool slacks, remember they have to be cleaned. Again, I prefer cotton chinos, dockers, etc. They can be washed and steamed out.

Clothes for cold weather are plentiful and inexpensive. I would bring some good shoes and socks and underwear. Large size shoes can be difficult to find and the socks here are a joke. The undershorts are lacking as well.


People are big on conformity here and have no qualms about making comments about your appearance or dress. The comments may come during a banquet in front of several people. You will be laughed at if you do not meet the expectation.

The people here are extremely rude, from a Western perspective. You'll be expected to embrace tobacco-stained teeth, second-hand smoke and smoker's stench, but you'll be ridiculed and talked about if you do not meet their expectation. Usually, you won't know until someone decides to dress you down in public. Facial hair is also taboo where i am.

Welcome to the land of insanity

[Newbs]

Well parvati you have been busy down at the cafe this afternoon.

The clothes question is a good one. As a male, it seems to me that the other male teachers in the school tend to wear the same thing, for quite a few days. (Yep, that makes one pause and think for a minute, doesn't it?) Some wear the suit and tie, and others have a jacket, without tie. I suppose if in doubt dress up, not down, and then adjust.

Unless you are on a very tight budget you'll be able to buy whatever you want to wear at reasonable prices. Quality can vary a bit, though.

I've been here 4 months and there's not much clothing that I've needed to buy, except some warm stuff as winter has set in.

Hope this helps.

[Madmaxola]

For class:

Singlet (Wife-beater for you americans)
Scarf
Nylon biking shorts
Boots

[shenyanggerry]

I usually wear a tie and decent pants until May 1st. Then the tie comes off - too hot. The other FT's at my university don't bother with ties but I'm older and was used to it in the office.

[parvati_overdrive]

big thanks to you all. id taught in korea and se asia a bit so id had some clue -but china is wel, china. so i had to ask.

comments about the wool - thx, i forgot!

now its either dockers or cotton/poly pants if i can have them made here in thailand (lighter than dockers).

for shirts, short sleeve shirts - docker shirt or fake izods (or whatever) from thailand (us5).

no tie.

main reason im asking is im big size 6ft/size11 foot - so comments about clothing underwear, sox (i found fitting sox in n.lao(!) ) -especially (good shoes!!

if you have big feet - get shoes at home!!!! after about size ten (45+) there is scant choice in s.e.asia.

[mandu]

i wear shorts and my rolling stones t-shirt to work and my kiss t-shirt (the rolling stones the greatest rocknroll band in the world)

i suppose wearing shorts and t-shirt at a uni is not that good of an idea but i feel you should dress on how comftable your are.If its 35 degrees outside its to hot to wear a suit

[hesterprynne]

sounds like you had better go shopping before you get on the plane, my friend. stock up on shoes, socks, Dr. Scholl's insoles---forget all that stuff about cheap clothes in China- unless you really know where to shop or meet a tailor on the plane, it is gonna take you a good while to find anything that is not cut to fit a chinese man----clue, they have no shoulders, necks, or muscle---do yourself a favor and hit your local discount clothery now!!!

[Old Dog]

hesterprynne wrote:

[oprah]

Hi.. Nice inventory of your wardrobe. I always think that you are treated with respect if you look good, but of course we want to be comfortable. Sandals are a NO.. coming from many schools.. only when I asked them..they said definitely Chinese do not like us wearing sandals for work. I have worked on Hainan also.. You want natural fabric for when the weather is HOT.. cotton. Chinese clothing in the shops..if you are a big person it could be a challenge finding big sizes. Shoes here are in small sizes..I would recommend bringing good quality shoes with you. Any shoes that I bought here fall apart in a short time. One of the best things I am glad that I brought was flannel sheet. Even when it is warm outside , inside can be cold. Good socks..a must..most socks here are small in size. Anything good like woolpants..probably get ruined here. That is my input..

[hesterprynne]

Ah, flannel sheets...electric blankets....sigh