Korean Job Discussion Forums

MrSeoul · Joined: 15 Apr 2007

Any teachers have any problems teaching with a slicked back pony tail?

Just curious. A friend of mind actually wants to teach in Korea now but he's worried if he doesn't tell his recruiter and the school sees him arriving with a pony tail they'll ask him to cut it, or fire him, but I know he won't.

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

We're talking about men, right?

Kyrei · Joined: 22 Jan 2003

As long as it is neatly kept it shouldn't be a problem for him. If his employer has a problem with it, then it is quite likely that he will have a problem with the employer on any number of other issues. That being said, if your friend is going to teach kindy kids... it might not be such a good idea to have something so readily grab-able.

Ginormousaurus · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Location: 700 Ft. Pulpit

A guy I know arrived with long hair and was asked to cut it. He's a pretty easy going guy so he complied.

Kyrei · Joined: 22 Jan 2003

I have had both over the 14 years I have been here, and I have a pony tail now. No problems at all.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

It depends on where you work and your over-all appearance. If you're at a public school it probably wouldn't be such a good idea, especially if you're teaching boys who have to keep their hair short and none of the other teachers have long hair. My middle school girls aren't even allowed to grow their hair long. However, at many hagwons you could have a long pony-tail and still look smarter than most of the foreign teaching staff.

Alan Partidge · Joined: 29 Nov 2005

You know what's under every pony tail, don't you?

Kyrei · Joined: 22 Jan 2003

A person who chooses not to conform to arbitrary social norms? Ohh... you meant "a horse's ass"... wow, I haven't heard that since grade school. Thanks for the reminder. Time for recess, go out and play now.

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

I came to Korea with cropped hair and at my first job was asked to grow it out.

Cerebroden · Joined: 27 Dec 2006

i haven't cut my hair in 4 months, and walked in with a crew cut, I'm waiting for my boss to say something. I'd say it should be a problem as long as it is proffessional. You should even be able to "hide" it in a photo as a slicked back look if taken right.

I-am-me · Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Location: Hermit Kingdom

I am considering going in to get the "Cho" cut. Shocked

brento1138 · Joined: 17 Nov 2004

seoulsucker · Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 8:21 pm Post subject:

Canuck Teacher · Joined: 18 Feb 2007

communicationbreakdown · Joined: 05 Feb 2007 Location: Bundang

Depends who you're friend's teaching. I've got shoulder-length scruffy hair and have had no problems with the directors at my school. I'm at a pretty laidback hagwon, though. Occasionally the little kids grab at it, but never hard. It's not really a problem. Your friend's ponytail might present a more attractive handle, though. I've showed up a few times with my hair in a rough ponytail, and the kids always give me crap for it. A few of them yell "Teacher woman!" but I just teach them the word "ponytail" and move on.