Job Discussion Forums

[teflmonkey]

So I'm on my way to Taiwan in a few weeks, I've been reading this forum for a while now, but I do have a few practical questions about living in Taiwan that I haven't been able to find the answers to.

1) I've been told that it's "preferred" that men not have any facial hair in Taiwan. Is this a professional thing, or a social thing? I do like to wear a beard and moustache (I look twelve years old if I don't)... I'm not talking about a giant ZZ Top neck sweater, mind you, but is it something that's going to draw a lot of negative attention? Would it actually prohibit me from making non-Western friends?

2) well, really, I think my first question is the only one I guess I had. I'm going to be in Taipei as of the 20th of this month with a few days before work actually starts, if anyone wants to show a newbie around.

[dangerousapple]

if you keep it neat, it's not a problem. I've had a beard almost the entire time I've been here (11yrs+).

[BigWally]

i rock some medium sized pork chop sideburns (down to my jaw line, but not overly fat), and a goatee, you wont have any problems...one interesting thing is that one of the chinese staff actually asked me if she could touch my goatee as she says she'd never felt one before, several of my students asked the same....haha

[mizzo]

When you get here it will be Chinese New Year... rumour has it Taipei is pretty dead over CNY.... just letting ya know