Job Discussion Forums

Johnny T. · Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 4:19 am Post subject: Silly questions about clothing

I'm just choosing my wardrobe for a round of interviews with schools in cities within bus-trip range of the DF. I realize it varies depending on the altitude, but do people wear long sleeve shirts very often? How about sports jackets? To teach in? Do ESL teachers in Mexico wear ties very often? Jeans to teach in? Thanks.

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

I'd say jeans are out, though you might find exceptions. Dress smart, but a tie is probably not all that necessary. If you are teaching anywhere in the out-of-school company class circuit, a suit would be appropriate.

If you have been in the central valley or the highlands before, it may surprise you to know that it gets neither very warm nor very cold here. The coldest weather is just finishing up, when it gets around freezing overnight in the higher spots, like Toluca or Pachuca.

AjarnErnes · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 71 Location: Mexico City, Mexico

I don't think it's a silly question. Here in Thailand you must wear a shirt ( long or short sleeved, though I've always felt that a short sleeved shirt with a tie looked stupid ) and tie. This has been a problem for me here. I had some Thai style silk shirts tailor made for me and at one school I worked it was ok and I get many compliments. At the last school I worked at they insisted on "white long sleeve shirt and tie". Fuckin' hell, it's 34C degrees out with 95% humidity it just makes NO SENSE AT ALL!!!! I continued to wear the lighter, cooler Thai style shirts and it caused me ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS. I even had my Dr. write a letter to the school asking that they give me an exemption from the dress code because I'm diabetic and tend to over heat and some times pass out. The head of the school said it was ok, but my direct supervisor insisted I wear the long sleve shirt and tie. Funny though, not ONCE did anyone comment, ask about or complain about what I was teaching. Education here is more about looking like you're learning something and looking like you'r eactually teaching something. As long as it LOOKS good, it must BE good. It's the Thai way.

In April I'll be going home to San Francisco for a couple of weeks by way of Hong Kong, Shiang Hai and Bejing. I was thinking of getting a couple of suits custom made for me in Hong Kong. If I'm teaching at a high class private school will wearing a suit be over kill? Or is wearing a suit the norm for teachers in that type of school in DF?

ajarnernest

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

Wearing a suit in DF is never overkill...people here are fairly fashion conscious. You can always doff the jacket when you start class. There is next to no humidity in DF, even during the rainy season when it stays cool in the afternoons.

The only uncomfortable heat you might experience here is the mobile sauna they call the rush hour subway.

Ms. Atondo · Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:33 pm Post subject:

My work uniform ended up being long, polyester pants, white blouse and sweater...all day, every day. Hopefully, you acclimatize fast. I ended up being quite comfortable in my sweater in July and sometimes got the chills when I took it off at the end of the day.

samizinha · Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 174 Location: Vacalandia

I have students who show up in their suits to do chemistry presentations. I always dress up nicely as I would at home. This isn't expected of everybody at work, but I feel I owe it to myself to be very professional. It goes noticed as well.

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

I think DF has a climate such that wearing a shirt and tie is not unreasonable, but down here on the coast, no way. On a typical day the classroom might be 35 Celsius and 95% humidity. You do the math!

jillford64 · Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 397 Location: Sin City

What about interview attire for women? Is a suit (jacket and skirt) required or would a jacket with dress pants be acceptable?

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

Either would be fine. If you are talking about DF, you would find that few women wear skirts here. Maybe only secetaries and school girls. Dress pants are most common.

Laughing

I'm reminded of the above every time I go back to Canada, or even on my trip to Cuba. Some part of me, noting how much more common skirts are elsehwere, screams 'oh my god, they are all half naked!' Funny what living in DF will do to you.

jillford64 · Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 397 Location: Sin City

I am choosing between the cities of Guanajuato, Morelia, San Luis Potosi, Queretaro, and Oaxaca for my destination. I'll be leaving for Mexico in the next two weeks. Since I only want to bring one carry-on sized roller bag for clothing I'm hoping "separates" will work because they are more versatile than formal business suits.

That is funny about the skirts. I've been living in southern California for a long time so when I visit my Mom in Denver I am always surprised at how different the people look and then I realize it is because they are fully clothed and have on sturdy shoes.

Thanks for your input.
Jill

Not St Louis · Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 38 Location: Asia

Ajarn Ernes, Why wait for China to purchase a nice suit, in Thailand where you are now you can find plenty of good tailors who will make you a suit within a few days. You might want two or three depending on where you will be teaching.

When I was in Mexico after I got out of the Army, a good suit went a long ways to making a good impression. In Asia, sometimes you can be more laidback in your teaching attire, not so in Mexico, unless it has changed lately and I doubt it.

About the heat in Mexico, if you are in the interior sections then it shouldn't be a problem for you.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

Sometimes a sports jacket in winter maybe, but not a suit. For sure it depends on the location in Mexico. Can you imagine wearing a suit in high humidity and scorching temperatures, which is what happens in the coastal regions for several months a year? The dress code where I am seems to be consistent in all schools with the "NO SANDALS" rule.

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

gordogringo · Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Posts: 159 Location: Tijuana

I wear slacks and a polo to teach in.I also tend to wear black hightops because the streets of TJ can be very dirty and if there has been rain very muddy.When doing a home class I always have a hike to get from the road to thier front door.I don't think my leather dress shoes would hold up.