Job Discussion Forums

[kosmo]

Hi,
What type of dress code is expected when teaching in Taiwan?
I�m hoping shorts/pants with a polo shirt or something, but some one told me they think it is dress pants with a shirt and tie.
Any advice?
Thanks.

[clark.w.griswald]

This will depend upon the type of institution you teach in.

In most cases smart casual is appropriate in my opinion and therefore what you would like to wear is certainly appropriate. Some teachers do dress somewhat casually for work which is their choice but I think that a teacher who dresses a bit above that often looks much better.

For business and corporate classes a shirt and tie may be a requirement.

[Ki]

For buxiban/kindy, never a shirt and tie except maybe at graduation. Also a good idea for interviews. Despite the heat I never wear shorts. Smart casual works best. Some schools have some peculiar dress codes. Like having to wear socks and shoes to work. Then when you get there you have to take your shoes off anyway and wear slippers about two sizes too small.

[SanChong]

With the exception of a few select schools, there is very little dress code in Taiwan.

Your school will really just care that you look clean and presentable.
It will probably be the most relaxed dress code you will ever have at a job!

[DirtGuy]

Kosmo,

Check out the clothes at travelsmith.com. Lots of new fabrics that work way better than cotton in a hot and humid climate. Not cheap but worth every penny IMHO. You can look as dressy or as casual as you like but still be comfortable. Plus the clothes are super easy to wash and dry.

DirtGuy

[TaoyuanSteve]

[kuberkat]

Best strategy is to dress smart for any interview, then check out the environment and adapt. You will never, ever be faulted by local staff or superiors for dressing a cut above. Do consider, though, the humid heat you will find most of the year, and also that you will need to be comfortable for a long and active workday in most cases, when planning what to pack/ buy for everyday work.

While on the topic, it's worth noting for female teachers that only a few clothing stores in Taiwan stock "Western" sizes, so don't get your proverbial (medium-sized) knickers in a knot if you are enthusiastically offered XXXL sizes too tiny to imagine your skeleton in. It really does pay to bring or send clothes and shoes from home, or shop on holidays abroad.

[BigWally]

I'll be heading over in mid-August for a Sept start date, what can I expect from the weather for a Taiwanese winter? I know the temperature could get as low as the mid-teens (brrrrr ), so I'm planning on maybe a few pairs of casual cargo pants (for class), and some zip-up hoodies for driving around on my scooter.

Other than that, is there anything (clothing wise) that would be recommended that i pack initially, because i can always get other stuff shipped over at a later date. I dont know if it matters but i'm about 6'4" and i have size 12-13 feet depending on the style of shoe.

Cheers!

[DirtGuy]

Big Wally,

It really depends on how "cold tolerant" you are. I worked in TP for the month of January and the lowest temp. I saw on the big billboard outside the train station was 13C. I think the highest temp. was 18 or 20C. I deal with F. so I do not really know what these numbers mean. Most of the time I was there I wore shorts or light pants and a t-shirt. Ocassionaly I work a fleece vest and it did rain a few times.

Now, I have to admit, I like it cold so this may not be the best of info. Most of the Taiwanese I saw were wearing parkas and gloves and even put clothes on their dogs. I felt sorry for the poor things as they were all panting like mad.

If you find the above temps. cold, then you need to pack accordingly. I plan to return next December and I will bring only a fleece vest, light rain shirt, a better rain hat, and more shorts.

Hope this helps.

DirtGuy

[BigWally]

Excellent, that does help, I'm originally a Northern Ontario kid so I like the cold....

As for the numbers, I am still in Canada and thus am using the good ol' Celcius scale...

Thanks again for the reply....I would love to hear feedback from anyone else as well!

Cheers!

[Pop Fly]

Someone of you stature will have some difficulties shopping for new clothes. Not impossible, mind you, but not easy. There is a clothing night market in the NE corner of Taipei city, beside the SongShan train station called (affectionately) Who Flung Poo. This is a good place to start.

The winter will not even come close to Northern Ontario for coldness, but it can feel like you are living under Lake Ontario for wetness. It rains more than Vancouver. And the walls have no insulation. Quite the contrary; being solid(ish) concrete, they are excellent conductors of the semi-cold; transforming our homes into walk-in fridges. No central heating either, so space heaters are the standard. Oh, and no CSA to set some industry standards either, so space heaters do tend to light up a family or 2 each winter. Be careful where you place it.

Now, riding on a scooter presents the largest clothing dilemma in my books. Given the 75:25 rain:no rain ratio of most afternoons (my peak travelling time), having the ability to keep yourself (especially your feet)dry is the enigma du jour. My situation is doubly problematic in that I drive a Charley (Chinese Harley), so I don't benefit from the slight water protection a scooter's spray skirt provides. No no no. I am better off riding Piglet (not quite the whole Hawg) in blue sandals, like the locals do. I have to wrap my socks and shoes up in double plastic bags, stuff 'em into my saddlebags, and then change into them when I get to my destination. This takes a lot of prep time and sometimes (no, alot of times) I end up teaching for 3-4 hours with soaked tootsies.

I had some great Peter Pan get-away boots that did the job of keeping my feet dry in most situations (sometimes you are riding through flood puddles that can stretch for a 100 meters and ain't nothing gonna keep you dry then) but I gave them away to a pal and have been to lazy to shop for another pair. They are also quite bulky and storage space on a motorcycle is minimal. So, feet dryness is the biggest problem of clothing oneself in the sub-tropics. These days, when it really is coming down, I screw taking the motorcycle and walk, bus, MRT to work. Takes 15 more minutes, but I do the crossword and arrive very relaxed.

And that goes for non-rainy days as well. The heat can be sweltering and it's hardest on the dogs. Foot powder is you friend people. Last year, my boss didn't mind if we wore sandals, but he changed his tune this summer. So I am wearing those anklet sockie things...gawd they are sooo gay, but they help, lord do they help.

I am not 6 foot 4 tall, but, due to quitting smoking, I am approaching that dimension in girth. I have found that the sports pants (Nike, Reebok, et al) sold in the various running shoe outlets are light, comfortable, quick-drying, fashionable and, most impotantly, very ssssttttrrrreeeetttccchhhhy . I wear them and walking shorts (I have a great boss who doesn't mind us wearing shorts) exclusively now. I only wear Levis on really cold days.

Of course, this is only valid in Northern Taiwan. I see you are planning on living in KS. Way less rain there.

[BigWally]

Pop....much appreciated, thats a great point about the wet feet on scooters, i never would have thought about that...i can plan on bringing extra socks with me, i'll have to stock up at foot locker with those gay, yet functional socks...haha...

thanks again for the reply, i notice it can be tough around here being a "new poster" in getting some questions answered with more than just a few lines...i'm glad to know there are people willing to put up with us