Job Discussion Forums

mak30fl · Joined: 29 May 2003 Posts: 23 Location: Tampa, FL

I have a couple tattoos, one of which is barely visible with an outstreched arm and long sleeves. Will these be shunned upon in Thailand or surrounding countries if/when they are found out?

TEAM_PAPUA · Joined: 24 May 2004 Posts: 1679 Location: HOLE

wear long sleeves for your job interview, then once your in the classroom explain that you have them simply for fashion purposes, the students have no problems with this. I have worked in Korea, Indonesia & China. In Korea it was a problem as it suggests mafia membership! (why would I teach if I were a mafia member?) In Indonesia it means you are a criminal, but as you have a decent status & job the SS understand that your tattoos have no real meaning & they are soon forgotten once explained. In China, I dunno? everyone just thinks they are COOL. maybe coz I have a HUGE chinese dragon on my forearm?!?!? I can't comment for Thailand, I have been there several times on vacation & no one cared, yet when I was in Cambodia they loved them! Status again I suspect, but which level of society i don't know? I also have several facial scars from various 'interpersonal' issues back home, and these are never mentioned.

As long as you don't have spider's webs tatted on your face, and a bone through your nose, I'm guessing you'll be ok.

Good luck buddy

T_P Cool

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I had a nose ring, tongue ring, multiple earrings and tattoes in China and worked at a kindergarten, keep most of them covered and it was no prob

Ki · Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 475

You'll be fine also in Taiwan with tattoos/piercings. Schools prefer you didn't have them, (if you are intending to teach), but it really is no problem at all. Like others have already said; try to cover them up in interviews though.
Ki.

Rice Paddy Daddy · Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 425 Location: Japan

I knew guys in Taiwan who had full sleeves and their employers eventually found out about it - but apparently they didn't seem to care.

This is, however, after the teachers had built up a certain degree of trust with their bosses

Doodly · Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 3

Tattoos are really common for men, including monks, in Thailand so you won't be shunned in public as long as you're a man. However, for interviewing and teaching they will prefer that you keep them covered.