Job Discussion Forums

[MrWright]

I have been checking on the different Asia country forums about what the reaction, both socially and professionally, might be to my tattoos. I have 2/3 sleeves on both arms. It's not the ghetto/gang/prison type of scary tattoos, but good quality, colorful, beautiful stuff. Mostly Buddhist in theme. I accept I might need to wear long sleeve shirts in the classroom, but I don't want to live my whole life like that. So far, Korea, Japan and even Thailand are out. I imagine Indonesia would be the same or worse, since it is a Muslim country. I am a certified High School teacher in Arizona, and it has never been an issue here, but its a very different country. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[travelNteach]

i have friends with tatoos on their forearms and they dont seem to have any problems as long as they wear long sleeve shirts at work and school functions.

i am surprised that u would have any problems in thailand. seems lots of people have tattoos, even the women. i have seen lots of foreigners walking around with full sleaves and they didnt have any problems. but these were in the mostly expat areas of town. i think as long as u cover up at work u shouldnt have any issues.

[MrMrLuckyKhan]

I dont think tattoos are a problem for Westerners in SEasia. I know many many teachers throughout Thailand and Indonesia with tattoos, and the locals seem to like their tattoos. Yes, they do cover them in the classrooms though.

[Chris_Crossley]

I taught at a government-run primary school in central China a few years ago and one of my fellow expat teachers was an American girl whose body was mainly covered in tattoos.

As one might expect, she was told to cover them up by the principal of the school. Initially, she complied, but, as time went on and the summer came, she gradually started wearing clothing that was considered to be conducive to revealing more and more skin - and, inevitably, more and more of her tattoos. She even also wore some see-through clothing that allowed people, including the kids, to see the tattoos.

The kids, for their part, were fascinated and intrigued as they had never seen a foreign woman, never mind a local man, with so many tattoos on her body and she seemed flattered by the attention.

The management was not amused but it seemed that, for the sake of harmony, they did little or nothing to push her into covering them up again. As it was, for reasons she claimed were personal and connected with family, she went back to the U.S. during the summer vacation and never returned, having done only half her contract.

[MrWright]

Thanks for the replies. That's good to hear. I was a little surprised when I read that about Thailand having a problem with it. The people said it was a conservative place and only "low class" Thais get tattoos, excluding the monks I presume. Anyway, good to know it won't be a real issue in Indonesia. I was leaning that direction anyway. If there are any other thoughts or anecdotes, please keep them coming. Thanks.

[MrMrLuckyKhan]

[tudodude]

I know this is the Indo section but as Thailand is mentioned. As long as you don't flaunt them in a work place you will have ZERO problems there. Socially you can get em out in clubs and give it large! Nobody will give a toss.

[Chris Patton]

I'm an EF DoS and have a had a couple of teachers recently with forearm tattoos. I pretty much agree with what has been said already about wearing long sleeved shirts in class. We've never had any complaints from parents or students about teachers tats.

As for life outside of work, I think you'll be fine as long as the artwork doesn't contain any obviously offensive images or language. Tattoos are quite common here, and in some areas you are likely to see young people sporting temporary or permanent ones. I think most poeple will simply ignore them or admire them and ask you about them.

Good luck!