Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Voyeur]

I have a minor medical problem that makes it a lot more comfortable to wear running shoes than leather shoes - even pseudo-orthopedic ones like Doc martens etc...

In canada when I go out to clubs and such I wear 100% all-black cross-trainers which generally nodbody noyices. hell, at some of the more techo/electronic music clubs half the people ther wear multi-colour running shoes and very casual wear. But I get into to evn the more formal clubs with my all-black Nikes.

However I was told by a friend that in Korea mena almost always wear leather shoes and that dressing up is VERY important. It was said that even if I taught young kiddies and technically I could wear these runners at work I'd be losing karma and brownie points for doing it. And He also said that I might not geyt into some of the clubs wearing such shoes and that if I did it would be noticed - that people notice and care about footwear. My friend was very vociferous and said I needed to leave my cross-trainers at home and bring only one pair for the actual gym and one pear of my white running ones for actual running. He said I needed to d whatever it takes to find a pair of black leather shoes I am most comfortable in, buy 2-3 pairs, and accept that these will be what I live in - period.

Is he overstating things too much? I'm tight on money and it will be expensive to upgrade my footwear to leather. I have a pair of leather shoes for work but they aren't the kind suited for daily slogging through the city. But I don't want to be losing valuable director goodwill just because of what I wear on my feet. Any advice would be appreciated.

[erlyn]

It all depends on your particular hogwan. My husband wears brown leather sandals to class in the summer (when all of our male students are wearing those awful black leather shoes that that they wear - trust me, those things do not look comfortable at all - very thin soles) and no one has ever said boo to him. In the winter he wears socks with the sandals, and I think you could get away with a subtle pair of all black sneakers as long as you weren't wearing jeans or jogging pants with them. With a nice pair of black dress pants I imagine they'd blend right in. Anyway, I'd have a discussion about this with your director if you can, and explain that they're for health reasons, see what he says.

As for your own time, wear whatever the heck you want. I'm a girl, and I wear teva sandals all summer, instead of the kitten heel pumps all the korean girls run around in - I don't know how they do it. It's true that the koreans are all very fashion conscious, but foreigners are generally regarded as pretty wierd anyway, no matter how we dress. Getting into korean clubs in Gangnam and Hongdae (very fashionable spots) may be a problem, but most ex-pat bars wouldn't bat an eye.

Whatever you decide to do, resolve it in Canada. The shoes here are very cheap, but they tend to be kind of long and flat - the insteps aren't very high, and some people have a problem fitting their foreign feet into them. It would be horrible to be stuck here without any sensible footwear. You'll probably want to do a lot of walking around and exploring when you get here, so comfortable feet are a must.

[JackSarang]

Your friend is insane.

The majority of hogwans don't care, so long as you are neat. Especially if you are teaching kids. If you're teaching adults you may have to be more formal, but its the exception, not the rule.

As for Nightclubs, you can wear whatever the hell you want, especially in Hongdae and Itaewon.

Korean Nightclubs might refuse you for wearing runners, but then, they're more likely to refuse you for being white anyway. The few Korean clubs I've been too have had no problem with people wearing runners.

(Korean Nightclubs are special because you have to buy a "table" order food and they having this konglish thing called "booking" and they often have Live Acts consisting of dancing and lip synching and sometimes popular stars), "Nightclubs" are what you'd find in North America.. your regular bar and dancefloor type of place.

You will not lose "karma" with the Koreans for your footwear. They don't judge us by the same standards that they judge each other.

In short, don't worry about it, its a non-issue.

[Voyeur]

Thanks.

Basically I only have just over $1000 CAD left and am all ready to leave in 2 weeks.

But I own no real boots nor do I have any leather shoes that would be really great for walking around in all the time especially dancing.

I could get a pair of Doc Martens and that would cost me $120 and a pair of decent water-proof leather-style rockportish all-weather boots will cost me $100 - $300 depending upon the quality. But lower quality will mean they suck for any kind of prolonged walking around and are best kept for only really wet and then snowy days.

But I really don't want to go below $1000 CAD to come here as it will be 5 weeks before I get paid. I have leather shoes that I can work in and that I could go anywhere formal in.

I live 10 minutes away from my Hogwon and it is right downtown Seoul. I lived equally distant from my previous work here in snowy Ottawa and I had no problem just wearing runners even in winter if need be.

I know this sounds like a mountain out of a mole hill but the differnce between coming here with $700 and $1100 is pretty big to me. And yet I hear that getting shoes for a wide Size 13 is impossible in Korea and I don't actually have boots even and am making a lot of assumptions that I can get by without some comfortable walking leather shoes and some all-weather rainy day/winter boots. So I am in a bind and not sure what to do.

My mother advised me to go through all the stores around here and try on for size a bunch of popular brands that can also be ordered online. She said make a detailed list of the make names/numbers and brands and my size. Get at least 2-3 variations that fit at different price points for boots and for shoes. She said do so even ffor my runners and have list of what size fits me in several differnt brands and makes at differnt price points for every kind of foot wear I might ever need - even the ones I currently have covered. She said because I am going for 2 years to Korea I will likjely need to replace all my shoes. She said hold on to this list and then when I am there if I have need I didn't expect I can get a credit card or borrow a freinds and order online while being assured they will fit. She said that this is the only responsible thing to do as a size 13 going to Korea for 2 years.

Well you know how mothers are. IS she being over the top? This will take me a day or two of just looking at shoes and trying them on and cross-referenicing availability with the internet to make this list. I think she is going overboard but she assures me you don't want to get caught in Korea with Size 13's an a sudden urgent footwear emergency As well, this way I can keep my cash and if in 5 weeks when I get paid I discover I definitely need boots I can order them.

Sorry for the rambling. You know how it is. Waiting to leave, everything but one decision is left and you obsess on it.

[erlyn]

Hmmm. Well, if you're going to be here for two years, then you definitely are going to want to replace your shoes at some point. I sympathize, as I find it very hard to buy clothing here, and the stuff I brought with me last year is starting to look pretty old, if you know what I mean. However, it might not be impossible for you to buy shoes here, even in size 13 wides. I know Itaewon stocks some pretty big sizes meant for the GIs - at least in clothing.

Anyone out there know if Itaewon sells big size shoes? If so, where?

Also, I wouldn't worry about boots for the snow too much. I hauled over both dress boots and hiking boots worried about that, and I only saw a light dusting of snow last winter. It may be four seasons, but come winter, Ottawa it ain't. Your Mom sounds like she really wants you to be prepared...do you think all those make and model numbers will be good after a year or so, though? I guess you could do that, but you're right, it sounds like an awful lot of work. Is there any way you can borrow money from your parents to load up on shoes now, and then pay them back after you got paid here? My parents were really sweet to do this for me. I got a whole year's worth of clothes, which I never would have managed on my own. I paid them off out of my first pay.

[waterbaby]

Just please don't wear white runners with jeans (or slacks)

[Saxiif]

Considering that my feet are just about square I can't find nearly anything to wear besides New Balance sneaker in America, let alone korea. If they don't like it screw 'em (one of the good things about teaching in a place so far out in the boonies: you've got job security pretty much no matter what ).

[buddy bradley]

Socks with sandals??? Jesus...

[VanIslander]

Running shoes to work? Yes, teachers do that in Canada too... along with their t-shirts and shorts. Think about it. The most conservative-minded directors will see a loss of respect in doing it. Spend your money. Don't worry about saving for your five weeks. I came over with $300 (CAN) because a wise old ex-pat informed me that in Korea advances on your paycheque are as acceptable as paying you late. So, after two weeks of making a good first impression, simply ask for a small advance to carry you over, if you need it. Transportation is very cheap and you can eat on $5 a day, drinks included.

[OiGirl]

Your mom is a genius.

[sickboy]

I wear white Onitsukas to work with dress pants. Cause they're comfy. That and I have to change into slippers all day.

Slippers rock.

-sick

[chi-chi]

For shoes, go down to Itaewon.
I know a lot of people don't like it, but it's the only place I've found in Korea that carries a wide range of shoe sizes.
You don't "have" to wear leather shoes to work, don't worry about it. Your friend is just probably trying to save face for you, since you will be treated better if you dress up. (Not that I condone it, it's just a statement of fact.)
But no, it's not a requirement or anything, don't worry about it.