Job Discussion Forums

employee · Joined: 24 May 2010 Posts: 14

Hello there good people of the esl forum,

My good friend has just been turned down several job offers via Japan because he has both his ears pierced. They're pierced but with inch gauges in each so even when he takes them out he is left with large holes. The question is...is he to expect the same reply from other English teaching institutes within Japan? Are his chances better if he were to look for jobs whilst in Japan as opposed to abroad? Any info is greatly appreciated.

seklarwia · Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 9:53 pm Post subject:

I'm afraid, he is going to have a hard time finding a teaching position.

Regular ear piercings on men are often frowned upon by employers here but there are a few who will tolerate them within reason. (My dreaded dispatch company will allow men to wear a matching pair of small studs if their schools do not mind, but ask men with only one ear pierced to remove it)

Women have slightly more leeway with ear piercings as long as their jewellery is conservative.

But extreme ear piercings, other visable body piercings and visable tattoos on anyone are definately going to result in a whole lot of rejections. And I'm not sure coming here to job hunt will really be a good move.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 9:55 pm Post subject:

Maybe he can hang "Hello Kitty" items from them to make himself seem cute.

NCTBA

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I'm afraid I agree with seklarwia. Unless he can somehow arrange his hair so that it isn't too long but completely covers those holes, the employers are going to go for someone without holes every time, regardless of his qualifications and experience. None of the eikaiwas I have worked for have allowed even small studs on guys, let alone one-inch gauge piercings.

benshi · Joined: 16 Feb 2007 Posts: 48

It's absolutely true. The place where I work has recently turned down several people with great qualifications because of extreme piercings or visible facial tattoos. It's sad, they really cut themselves out of a lot of options here in Japan. I see some Japanese kids on the trains these days with tribal tattoos on their arms, but it's still definitely not accepted in a lot of areas, especially where you have to work with little kids or older people. They do have a lot of tattoo parlors around, though, so someone must be getting them besides the yaks!

Cool Teacher · Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2010 10:58 am Post subject:

Before long he'll have to get used to the idea that not just in Japan but pretty much anywear they just wont take on people with a studied detemermination to look weird. Sad

]

The butter days are over for us. Now we must look toward hard times and less indulgence. Sad

Harsh but fair sorry.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2010 2:30 pm Post subject:

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

seklarwia · Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 1:25 am Post subject:

There does seem to be a growing number of young people getting tattoos.

A while back, I watched an episode of one of the millions of variety shows featuring the same TV personalities where they interviewed young people (mostly girls) who had tattoos, much to the shock and amazement of the studio guests. Lots of small butterflies, stars and tribal marks.

And I've actually seen young guys and more than a few high school boys (including one that I taught last year) with numerous ear piercings (regular piercings mind you; not doughnut holes you can look though).

So yes, there are more young people getting inked and guys getting pierced, but it is still far from becoming an acceptable social norm and, as the previous poster pointed out, they are certainly cutting themselves out of many jobs doing by so.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

A trip to Enoshima beach in summer should confirm for anyone that real tattoos are quite popular among some segments of the population here, whether Japanese-style or tribal or any random design. Teaching yoga I meet a lot of fairly alternative Japanese people, and tattoos aren't unusual, so there are plenty of customers for tattoo places here.

Pretty much no-one with a tattoo visible in a long-sleeved shirt, or out-of-the-ordinary piercings is going to have a mainstream job (which includes teaching) though.

Cool Teacher · Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 10:23 am Post subject:

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 4:28 pm Post subject:

I mean, isn't seven enuf already???

By that, I mean the number of holes the good Lord pre-punched into yer noggin by default at birth... Confused

NCTBA

72308 · Joined: 01 Sep 2010 Posts: 38 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I have three lip piercings, three tongue piercings and eight ear piercings (along with an assortment of tattoos). I start my job with AEON in March next year. It is possible to get a job despite deviating from the accepted norm, as long as you're willing to compromise: I take out all of my piercings whilst in the classroom and make sure my tattoos are covered.

Good luck to your friend.

Cool Teacher · Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2010 3:52 am Post subject:

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2010 4:16 am Post subject:

Hi-no-maru insets? After all, he's in the Land of the Rising Sun, isn't he? Then, you see, he's displaying cultural affinity! Laughing

NCTBA