Job Discussion Forums

[jumpamonkey]

Can a few experienced teachers, trainers and recruiters chime in here and offer experience, knowledge and advise about attire expectations in Thailand for men and women as teachers? My wife and I are preparing to take the CELTA and want to start teaching in Thailand in 2010. We are both accomplished business executives and entrepreneurs. (She is 35 and wants to teach kids. He is 45 and would most enjoy teaching adults, especially related to law, business, etc) We have both worked and managed in Fortune companies and Big-6 consulting so we know the importance of polish and flair. We also founded, built and then sold our own businesses and in 2007 embarked on a 3-year around the world adventure. Therefore, all of our business clothes are in storage in America. I would appreciate your thoughts AND advice on this as it seems a little overboard to have wardrobe boxes full of $2000 custom Versace suits sent to Bangkok for teaching. These clothes are expected at the C-level but aren't they a little overboard for Thailand teaching? How about buying a half dozen off-the-rack suits in Bangkok after we accept a job? <side note: We've been researching for a year before deciding to take the CELTA and do this. Please, don't lecture about dressing to impress. I have interviewed over twelve thousand people in person. I've got stories!> Thanks for any help javascript:emoticon('')

[JosephP]

For men a long sleeve shirt and a tie, pressed trousers and shined shoes will do.

Women have a bit more leeway, but generally if you think casual smart, skirt, blouse -- sorted

[Pauleddy]

generally smart casual. at my uni, don't need a tie.

You are also dictated to by the heat. Bangkok is one of the hottest/most humid places global. I have never worn a jacket, except for a wedding one time. Keep slacks thin and don't bring thick socks (except the north can be very cold in Jan-Feb).

You will impress by being slick-smart-casual. Thais live in a presentation culture where how you look is more important than most things--arguably more than yr teaching skills. Chinos/good slacks and a name shirt. Good shoes (if you have Todd, good. Your boss may be a label watcher).

Ed

[MaiPenRai]

what they said. There are plenty of tailors here and as you seem to be financially secure, you should also be able to get anything you need here in Bangkok.

GL

[learner4life]

I agree with most of what's been said, but I will add a little (or a lot):

As MPR said, go with a good tailor, rather than buying off the rack (off the rack caters to Thai-sized people). Shopping will be a great adventure, as Bangkok has everything from traditional markets with traditional attire (and some really amusing non-traditional gems, like a pair of girls' shorts printed with little Che Guevaras and the words 'Shopping *beep*' written across the backside) to the best designer boutiques (have a look at Siam Paragon... tired of clothes? look at the Ferraris instead).

Smart casual is a good bet, but dress will vary with the venue. Teaching corporate would be more shirt and tie stuff, while teaching at a tutoring center would likely be pretty casual. The only occasion I've needed a jacket for was when a Royal Thai Princess visited my school.

If you really want a suit for tropical heat, I would ask a Japanese businessman where he shops. I've seen some amazing hi-tech Japanese summer suits (probably expensive and maybe small).

Not sure about chinos. I've worn really nice, pressed khaki slacks and gotten comments (oh teacher, brown trousers are not polite!) but wore black jeans without a peep. Labels are big here, and I bet you might get away with an immaculate pair of acid-washed Levi's sooner than chinos.

Some Thais cluck at women in sleeveless tops, too (I think more so than at a hemline a few inches above the knee, but ask the ladies to be sure). Shawls are quite popular (sleeveless with a shawl is okay), as are little bolero jackets. A nice shawl/sarong will also come in handy if your wife is wearing shorts and stumbles upon a temple worth checking out.

Thais worry about shoes, though they ironically often remove them on entering certain places. I once mortified the managers of a traditional school by arriving in the pouring rain wearing Tevas and carrying my nice oxfords in a dry plastic bag. (teacher, everyone outside can SEE you! *in a monsoon downpour...*). Once inside, we would all leave our shoes outside the classroom and either go barefoot or in flipflops/slippers. My brother recommends black Goretex golf shoes (spikes removed) to deal with this cultural paradox.

More so than attire, I suspect your business credentials will go a long way, even in this appearance-obsessed culture. I'm sure you'll have no shortage of golf partners once word gets around:P Connections are so very important here, but I suspect you are a couple who will take to that like ducks to water. If you play it right, you could probably spend a lot of time giving business seminars on the seaside in Huahin or Phuket dressed quite casually, rather than sweating up a nice shirt on your way to a classroom in Bangkok:P

Good luck with it