Job Discussion Forums

[Guy Courchesne]

For those of you in Mexico teaching, did you find that you brought the wrong type of clothes for both the climate and the workplace? I know this varies quite a bit around Mexico.

[Jetgirly]

I am teaching at a prepa. I brought clothes that would err on the too-professional side at a Canadian high school (knee-length skirts, lightweight blazers, heels, etc.) and I don't really "fit in" in the staff room. Sorry to say it, but most of my co-workers here wear suits... cheap, poorly-made, polyester suits. And blouses that are six sizes too small that gape at the bust, or that have big food stains down the front. I can tell that my wardrobe isn't looked upon highly, but I don't care. I'm not jamming my $300 "reserved for special work occasions" suits into a suitcase, dry cleaning them regularly, sweating in them more regularly, and putting them on only to get them covered with grease stains on the bus and chalk in the classroom.

[MELEE]

No, but I my job lined up in advance and received a lot of information about what is acceptable and the climate before I came.

Being on this end I find people often don't believe me when I tell them they will need a light jacket and a couple of sweaters.

[Prof.Gringo]

I find that I came with the right type of clothes to begin with and I have just expanded my wardrobe. I usually wear a pair of cotton khakis with a short or long sleeved button down shirt without a tie. I usually wear casual dress leather shoes and try to keep them polished. I have a good collection of sweaters(for that Prof. look), jackets and coats for the weather.

I never wear shorts in public. No open-toe shoes or flip-flops either. I have enough dress shirts, ties, and dress pants to go an entire week as well as a 3 piece suit and a tuxedo.

For good measure I put a small Mexican flag pin on my lapel.

[GueroPaz]

It shows that Mexico is a country with the climates of an entire continent (other than Australia and Antarctica). I have now expanded my list of cities worth considering, to Merida, where even the January lows only average 14.

I would hope my Thai wardrobe is appropriate for the east coast: long cotton trousers, short and long sleeved dress shirts, hopefully without a tie; and black leather shoes, lace or loafers. If I get there and buy the Honda 250, a pair of short, black custom-made boots. And, if I could wear it under the helmet, a black leather sombrero, like I wore in Comitan!

[Guy Courchesne]

[Jetgirly]

The admin wear a "uniform" which is one particular suit with a different colored shirt each day (Monday is orange, Tuesday is blue, etc.) but I am talking about the teachers. The school doesn't buy or subsidize their clothing in any way.

[dixie]

Where I work it depends on the teacher, and it depends on the day. You can be casual (jeans, and a blouse/nice shirt), or more professional (dress pants and blouse). Jackets and ties are on often worn here (unless it is upper admin).

[Phil_K]

I've been here so long that I only have about 3 items of clothing that I brought with me! But I did have to borrow a suit from my future bro-in-law for a wedding 3 weeks after arriving.

I only give a few classes now, but I dress smart/casual - dress pants, button collar shirt, no tie, shiny shoes etc. Smart suits, the full monty, for sales meetings - I have to be taken seriously!

I encourage my teachers to dress smart casual - I don't insist on jackets and tie. Feedback has taught me that the students don't mind this, but no way would I send a teacher dressed in jeans and t-shirt.

[hlamb]

My school is pretty casual, too casual in some ways. Certain female teachers seem to be most comfortable in low cut shirts, which I think isn't appropriate at all. Most of us wear dress pants and a short sleeved blouse or button down shirt. I sometimes wear skirts because they're comfortable, but I'm the only one who does.

I didn't really bring the right clothes for my year in Veracruz but I would have sweated there no matter what I was wearing! I do much better in Cuernavaca.

[Oreen Scott]

I'm originally from Vancouver, BC and didn't have a wardrobe for different seasons until I came to live in the great white north.

I dislike shopping for clothes, I would say I dislike clothes but it would create the impression I like walking around naked, which I do not.

From my research people do not wear shorts in Mexico. So I thought I'd bring blue jeans for casual wear.

As for work, three pair of black dress slacks and a few short sleeved blouses plus I've got a few dress jackets I could throw into my backpack/suitcase. Business casual I think is the style. If a school is looking for something other than business casual they can hire somone else.

Teachers in Winnipeg dress casual, forget business. So I'll dress-up compared to how I'm dressing here during my practicum, which is what I'm doing at the present time.

I'm bringing clothing for one season only. In spite of what Melee writes. It simply can't be as cold anywhere in the world as it is here.

Hope my wardrobe works, but I can't see worrying too much about spending alot of money on fancy duds when TEFL teachers are paid so poorly in Mexico.

Am I on the right track?

[Samantha]

Oreen wrote:

[MELEE]

[Oreen Scott]

I have discussed, and experienced, this very topic of north vs. south on cool January mornings with the proprietor of a B&B in Key West Florida who would say, "Welcome to paradise." every morning, then open all the windows and doors. I'd freeze.

Yes, the morning is cool. Yes, it does warm up. a fuzzy long house robe and thermal socks will do the trick, I imagine. As long as some fool native doesn't come along and open all the doors and windows.

According to the proprietor of the B&B those of us from the North suffer more on those cool mornings because we are use to heated homes.

That being said, I still believe I can leave my Sorel boots and long winter coat at home.

I've noticed on some of the Mexican hotel web sites calefaci�n is noted, appealing to us northern folk I assume.

Samantha I have just learned is yet another Canadian on this forum.

So, I'm now wondering, who isn't Canadian? (Not that it really matters, it's just surprising how many Canadians are here)

[MELEE]

I'm not Canadian, but I play one on TV.