Job Discussion Forums

[johnslat]

Dear johntpartee,

Joe Mama, you mean? Last time I saw her, she was totally satisfied.

Regards,
John

[Qaaolchoura]

[naturegirl321]

[Qaaolchoura]

[helmsman]

Mr Q, here are my thoughts:
1. Glasses shouldn't be a problem anywhere, unless they are too old, rusty, unusually thick "coke bottle" lenses, or some bizarre ones Elton John might wear.
2. Facial hair on men is a good thing in Muslim countries, but seen as eccentric, even provocative, in East Asia. However, as you are an American I would not think that your hosts would expect to look just like them.
3. As a general rule, start off looking business-like, ie with "slacks" (suit pants) a dress shirt and a tie. I have dressed like this every day of my teaching career. I don't know of any place that instructors requires a suit on a regular basis.
To me, more interesting questions are what sorts of ties and shirts are taboo. For example, is it appropriate to wear a cartoon tie? Another biggie is body piercings and tatoos. Most teachers cover up the former and remove whatever rings and studs they have in their noses, ears and whatnot.
I hope everything works out in your new job.
helmsman

[Der_Bomber]

You don't really mention your age or 'hair status'!

Here in Europe that matters an awful lot regards beards. Its quite normal for younger blokes or those with a full head of coloured hair to be expected to shave daily, but if you have grey/no hair a beard seems to be much more acceptable. In many countries you'll find 50+ year old blokes in the teaching profession generally have facial hair.

Regards suits, northern Europeans tend to wear darker suits and (younger guys) smart polo shirts, older guys (or those that deal in certain industry) a white or pink shirt and tie. Pinstripes are a no-no unless your in sales and finance, and a fair bit of emphasis is often placed on pricetag. Not spent much time in Scandinavia but heard that smart jeans or trousers and a smart shirt, usually not plain, is fairly standard.

In southern Europe, unless your in a business dealing mainly with American/Northern European firms, a light coloured suit is much more de-rigueur, and shirts are standard, but not tended to be worn as 'smartly' as in the North, I've found ties to be very unusual for daytime wear. Of the places I've visited on business (mainly northern italy, greece and south of france) only Northern italy really puts much of an emphasis on label and price tag.

Incidentally, I'll be in Istanbul for a few weeks from the end of October. I'll be mostly wearing my 'sand green' suit with a short sleeved shirt, no tie, open at the neck, I imagine.

[Teacher in Rome]

In Italy, smart jeans are perfectly acceptable office attire for the majority of situations. Dress up with a smart shirt / jacket - not a sweatshirt or denim jacket though.

Pants in British English means underpants. I'm assuming you'll wear these, but not on the outside, unless you're a John Major cartoon. If you're a teenager, we'll be able to see at least the designer label of your underwear peeking over your outerwear. At which point, we'll probably be fighting off an impulse to walk behind you and hoike up your trousers / jeans.

You can tell I'm middle-aged!