Job Discussion Forums

Adrienne · Joined: 05 Oct 2005 Posts: 5 Location: Trujillo, Peru

I'm headed to Peru in about a month. Can anyone who is there, or has been there, tell me what kind of clothing I will need most? What sort of dress is expected of teachers -- how professional or casual?
Any help/tips/advice will be very appreciated!
Thanks.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2006 6:33 pm Post subject:

Nature girl will chime in shortly, and she's on the scene in Peru, so will know more specific details. I've spent some time there, but haven't taught. However, in many ways Ecuador is culturally similar, so I'll tell you what I've seen here.

Dress, expecially for work, is pretty conservative. All but the bottom feeding few in Quito have policies against sportswear and jeans. Mostly, teachers wear slacks and dress shirts, fairly nice blouses, and the occasional tie. Or nice looking skirts or dresses as gender permits. And always keep your shoes polished. (I don't know why, but here, not having your shoes all polished up and shiny is seen as the height of slovenliness) Definitely no sports shoes. (Trainers, tennis shoes, running shoes, or whatever you call them, wherever you are.) Personally, I always wear a tie. As DOS, I feel like I need to tend towards the more formal end of the dress code that I expect teachers to adhere to.

I know people who have found this restrictive, and I've occasionally had conflicts with teachers about it. But it's clear from the beginning, and at least where I am, there isn't too much flexibility in the dress code.

Make sure to pack with this in mind, as you may find shopping for nice clothes hard in South America, at least until you know your way around fairly well. And remember that South Americans may not be your size, either. (I wear shoe size ten and a half. The majority of shoe stores have a maximum of one or two pairs in my size, if that.)

All this may be a bit of a pain. But remember, the stereotype here is still that native teachers of English are untrained, unprofessional, backpacker hippies. And to most Ecuadorians, being a professional requires you to look the part. So if you want to be taken seriously, you have to dress seriously.

NatureGirl, let us know if too much of what I've written doesn't apply in Peru- my suspicion is that in the big cities, at least, it's fairly similar.

Regards,
Justin

jessicah632 · Joined: 12 Jun 2005 Posts: 36 Location: Texas, USA

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

My uni says dress slacks and blouses, but I wear polos and dress shirts. Sandals are allowed for women. Obviously things can't be very sexy either, I '�m allowed to wear jewelry and makeup, though some very strict schools don't allow them.

Alitas · Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 187 Location: Maine

Sharp dressing is very important.

I would bring down your favorite professional outfit, like a suit, and have it done by a tailor in a few different fabrics.

At a Dominican school I have been visiting for the past few years, the lady teachers get together, choose a fabric and pattern and a tailor, get measured and they all wear the same suit. The guys wear ties and slacks but the women have a "uniform". They look very sharp and you always know who is in charge.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2006 11:46 pm Post subject:

While the leather snakeskin mini sounds like a good look to me, you're right, I wouldn't recommend it in a work environment. But I've seen it. Basically, knee or calf length should be no problem, and you could go a bit shorter still without raising eyebrows here. Traditional skirts are long, but I've seen plenty of the shorter variety amongst fashionable, usually youngish women.

Nobody seems to care how short, but remember that as a foreigner, you're already assumed to have loose morals in many places. A mini may get you attention you may not want.

Regards,
Justin

TrekleaderTim · Joined: 25 Mar 2005 Posts: 10 Location: Terra Firma

Justin is correct...

As a female, it is imperative that you dress and conduct yourself in a professional manner when you make your first contacts. After you are settled in, you can be a hippie if you want.

You will be judged based upon your dress, conduct and manner of speech...and not only in the workplace. Just ask working folks there the kind of questions they had to answer to obtain employment.

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536

Well, yeah, but it says "As a female it is imperative you dress in a professional manner". This suggests that it is different for men - that they don't have to dress in a professional manner.

That's what I was getting at.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Professional Wear

Unprofessional wear

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 11:46 pm Post subject:

Unfortunately there is a gender double standard on that here.

While all are generally expected to dress "professionally," the tendency to judge people harshly on appearances is MUCH more pronounced for women than for men. I know a very successful salesman who wears a terrible off color hairpiece. A woman, guilty of that level of faux pas, would find it nearly impossible to succeed at anything.

It's not right. But there it is. I've been in one too many offices where the guys look normal and the women are all barbie dolls to pretend it isn't. Attractiveness (and fashionable dress is a part of it) is a measuring tool applied more harshly to women than to men. Especially in a society as sexist as this one.

Regards,
Justin

TrekleaderTim · Joined: 25 Mar 2005 Posts: 10 Location: Terra Firma

Yes, I must report that as a female....you are treated differently. When you see the "uniforms" working women are forced to wear in Latin America, you will understand.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

It`s about 400 degrees here right now, and when I look around my office I am glad I am a woman. The men show up in shirts, ties, and slacks. The women are at least allowed skirts and cute little tops, which, provided they�re not too low-cut, slutty, etc., are a lot more breathable and comfortable in this heat!

Outside of the uni... it is HOT here! I no longer care if people look at the way I dress and ascribe certain morals, or lack of morals, to me. They can think whatever they want, but I refuse to suffer and sweat just to fit into whatever image a good girl is supposed to fit into.

d