Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Carter82]

Hi everyone,

I am just getting all my documentation ready to send off.

This may seem a really odd question, but are there any problems with beards in South Korea? I have a neat stubble (def. not a Captain Birdseye) and before I send off my pictures, will it go against my favour?

[tomato]

I have a beard and I've never had a problem.
Employers have rejected me on the basis of age, but not on that basis.

[marcus61]

Yes, it may well go against you... a new teacher who just got here told me that the recruiter advised him to take off his beard before sending his picture...My husband had a full beard before and after we got here.. he didn't take it off despite being asked to do so by the school and the many questions as to "why you no shave?"... If you continue to sport your facial growth get used to being stared at..A LOT! If it doesn't make you uncomfortable, great and good on you! You'll be somewhat of a freak... My husband says it doesn't bother him that they stare, but it bugs the hell out of me. My theory is that Korean men don't pump enough testosterone, so no beard... Some of my Korean friends tell me that Korean men don't have much in the way of body hair because they are more highly evolved than us whities.. no kidding..Well maybe it's true, who knows for sure? But, there simply is no need for the staring... Just stare right back at them and they look away'-)

[tomato]

It might be a factor in getting stared at.
That's hard to measure, because foreigners in general get stared at.

I have a set of fixed utterances for situations in which small children stare at me.
First, I say:

안녕 하, 아기!
Annyeonghi, agi!
(Hi there, baby!)

If the child runs or hides, I say:

무서워 하지 마, 나는 친절해.
Museoweo haji ma, naneun chinjeolhae.
(Don't be scared of me, I'm nice.)

[schwa]

"Neat stubble" no problem (talking years of experience in hagwons & public schools). Earring too. All else being presentable, it adds to authentic cultural difference in a good way.

[Carter82]

Cheers Guys,

I suffer from being one hairy animal, therefore if I have to clean shave every day, I will have to shave twice.

I was mockingly nicknamed 'Teenwolf' at school... sob .. sob.....

[Bibbitybop]

It depends on who and where you are applying. Even in Seoul public schools, after the teacher is hired (beard is no problem) some principals tell the teacher to shave or tell a shaven teacher they can not grow a beard. This violates the contract, but it can cause friction between the teacher and the administration. It's luck of the draw there.

If they say shite about it, pull out some Korean money and say "what's the problem?" Point the long beard on the bill.

[Peter Jackson]

I am not the most diligent person when it comes to shaving. I don't really like having a beard but I can't always be arsed to shave. When I've come to school with lots of facial hair I've usually just intrigued the students. Younger kids find it amusing, maybe funny, and some will try to touch it. Older kids and teens (especially girls) may find it "cool" or interesting. I've found that high school boys are curious, even a bit jealous sometimes because they can't grow one. It is one of the physical differences between most westerners and Koreans. Adult Koreans may think you look "tired" or messy. Some just can't understand it...

I never lost a job, got scolded, or felt any abuse when I had facial hair. Keep it!

[Optimus Prime]

[Tommy]