Job Discussion Forums

nicyvesweet · Joined: 21 Dec 2004 Posts: 90

I was reading my job acceptance packet, and noticed something to the effect of me following conservative grooming standards. What qualifies as non-conservative? I really had my heart set on dreding and dying my hair for the summer, and I don't want my parade to get rained on here.

Celeste · Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2005 1:33 am Post subject:

Yup, that sounds non-conservative, alright! Think business attire/ hairstyles. If you went to a bank in your home country, what would the tellers look like? Aim for that. I know several EFL teachers who have braids, but don't know any with dreads. You might get away with it, but it will certainly ruffle someone's feathers.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

Well, going out on a limb here... But seeing all the pierced, tattooed, punk, and otherwise non sequitur forms of life teaching English in Japan, you may well be able to have dreds and dyed hair....

But also going out on a limb, racially-speaking, the Japanese being as racist and stereotypical as they are, I'd say you could only get away with your hairstyle if you looked like you actually came from Jamaica. I.e. dark-skinned, black hair..... Then they might accept it as being culturally-appropriate for your background. A caucasian however... I dunno. You may face some flak. Smile

If you ARE caucasian and carry through with your plan, please tell us how it goes.... I'll be very curious! Smile

Sheep-Goats · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 527

If you won't cut your stupid hair then you're in-effect cutting your salary.

nawlinsgurl · Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2005 5:44 pm Post subject:

I work for NOVA and in my area there is one girl who has dreads. No problem here. They are nice and neatly kept up. There's another guy who has long hair just barely above his collar. It is always clean-looking and he pushes it back in the front with his eyeglasses. When I interviewed with NOVA I had very bright-almost Charli Baltimore red hair (look her up online) and I got the job. Keep in mind, my hair was nicely groomed and is shoulder length. Even still, I wouldn't recommend anything too crazy.

nicyvesweet · Joined: 21 Dec 2004 Posts: 90

melirae · Joined: 26 Feb 2004 Posts: 145 Location: Korea

Just noticed a girl today that the MM Center that has dreads. They are the small, short kind though, not the big, chunky Bob Marley kind. They are probably no more than 6-8 inches long each, about as big around as a pen, and they really look more like a bunch of fuzzy little braids than dreds, but I definitely think they are dreds, so it might be OK.....

nicyvesweet · Joined: 21 Dec 2004 Posts: 90

then there's a possibility that those were two-strand twists... but thanks.