Job Discussion Forums

[seklarwia]

[gaijinalways]

I disagree with the perfume comment, as it depends on the age of the Japanese woman (or women). Some of my university students wear plenty, and so do some of the older women in Tokyo. But as said earlier, the aromas are generally more understated than say in France or Italy (as to the US, it would depend on the region).

[Apsara]

Although younger women are more likely to wear perfume, it isn't anywhere like as common as it is in most western countries- I often take the women-only car on the Chuo line at rush hour, and I can't say that I notice the smell of perfume- in a train car with over a hundred women in it!

I agree with seklarwia- wearing it at school may lead to comments and complaints, so best to save it for your days off.

[ssjup81]

What about body sprays? You know, like the kind you might use after taking a shower using a shower gel.

[Apsara]

If someone standing/sitting a metre away can smell it, then forget it. If you can only smell it from millimetres away from your skin, then that's fine.

[mintxleaf]

[desu]

[Glenski]

Sidewalks are generally in very good condition, but they are often quite crowded, in my experience. I wouldn't recommend skating on the roadside, that's for sure. Just ask any bicyclist. You'll see a lot of bike riders over here.

[seklarwia]

[lady gator linguist]

Aspara,

Come to think of it, I did find a few tops and sweaters at Zara and Gap as well. However, slacks, jeans, and shorts were more difficult to find. Heightwise, I'm okay (5 ft. 3 in.=160 cm) but I wear a size 12 U.S. so I'm bigger than the average Japanese woman.

The most annoying part is I get screwed even in the U.S. because I find that the petite's section in the major department stores lacks a wider variety of clothes than the misses section or even the women's section.

[eIn0791207912]

i was curious about something.

there been a lot of discussion of clothes on this thread. some have said to only bring a suit for special occasions.

im sure it depends on the school, but i was under the impression that most schools require a suit, or at least business attire, daily. am i wrong? i had a friend that taught kindy and even he had to wear a suit every day.

[Apsara]

And I taught kindy and wore jeans and a T-shirt. Depends on the school.
Eikaiwas are more likely to want you to wear a shirt and tie, if not the full-fledged suit. For ALT work, some schools want a shirt and tie, others (especially for teaching younger kids) are more casual.

Being expected to teach kindy kids in a full suit would be the exception rather than the norm.

[seklarwia]