Korean Job Discussion Forums

ccikulin · Joined: 23 Mar 2008 Location: Sunae-dong, Bundang

I'm heading to Korea tomorrow to start a new job at a public middle school and I'm just wondering how FT's are usually expected to dress at school. I do have several dress shirts and ties and I also have plenty of collared short sleeve shirts and dress pants. I am really hoping to avoid wearing ties to work. I just don't like wearing them when I don't have to and I am much more comfortable in a collared short sleeve shirt.

What do you guys usually wear? Has anyone here ever been talked to about their dress at work?

Thanks.

crusher_of_heads · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 4:06 pm Post subject:

For the first 3 months, business casual-it's unfortunate you're starting in the summer, as I'd recommend long sleeves at first-but LOOK AND LISTEN and see what the adjosshis are doing-if they are wearing short sleevs, you can too-just expect looks at your arm hair, unless you're an effeceinate nancy boy with no arm hair-then you will fit right in

ps keep it in one forum you will get more replies that way

when I started I thought I would never wear Tshirts, but I do-not always, but once in awhile. I have entertained the idea of sandals with no socks, but that would push it

bovinerebel · Joined: 27 Feb 2008

If you can turn up at work on time , looking smart and well groomed , then you're 90% there towards having done your job in the eyes of the Koreans.

EricaSmile84 · Joined: 23 Jan 2008

As I look around at the men at my school I see dress pants, dress shirts (short sleeve and long sleeve), polos, and 1 suit... but no ties.

If I were you, I'd wear something nice all week (dress shirt and tie) and then see what other people are wearing. It really depends on your school.

I wear jeans and a semi-nice shirt to my school. I don't wear writing/labels on my shirts, although many women do. That's the thing though, women seem to dress more casually than men at my school.

Have fun at your public school!

Smile

ccikulin · Joined: 23 Mar 2008 Location: Sunae-dong, Bundang

Thanks guys. I'll take your advice and show up in a tie for the first week or so.

IncognitoHFX · Joined: 06 May 2007 Location: Yeongtong, Suwon

I wear a short-sleeved shirt, dress pants and sandals. You have to wear socks under the sandals here, though.

I pity anyone who is told they must wear long-sleeved t-shirts. I'd kill myself if it were the case.

JungMin · Joined: 18 May 2005

Fishead soup · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Location: Korea

Only wear a long sleeved shirt if you have a tattoo. You will have to wear the slippers. Buy a pair. The ones at the school follow a one size fits all.
They never fit the Native speaker.

Watch out for holes in your socks. The kids really notice this.

Cracker006 · Joined: 11 Feb 2008

Business Casual...

slacks or pants

blouse, or most non-t-shirts

flat-shoes or sandles

d-rail · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: Gangnam

i started looking nice, but now most of the time i wear jeans and a t-shirt Shocked

IncognitoHFX · Joined: 06 May 2007 Location: Yeongtong, Suwon

matthews_world · Joined: 15 Feb 2003

Avoid T-shirts if you really wanna look scummy.

I get away with jeans and a polo shirt or dress shirt.

JustJohn · Joined: 18 Oct 2007 Location: Your computer screen

I wear black pants and a dress shirt, usually white. Wore ties the first week at least. I've been told that I don't have to dress up so much but that they like it; and aside from the gym teachers all the Korean males are dressed nicely so I think I would feel a little out of place if I dressed down.

I agree with wearing a tie at first and then matching the K teachers. You can't go wrong if you do that.

passport220 · Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Location: Gyeongsangbuk-do province

At my public school men would dress to a higher standard than woman. For me (male) that means dress slacks and dress shoes always. Sport coat with no tie or tie with no coat for day-to-day teaching. Both coat and tie for special occasions. I am on par with most male teachers, however, some Korean teachers ware coat and tie on a regular bases � for some (not all) that was relaxed to no coat in the warmer weather.

For woman about 50% ware nice jeans and a nice top or a tee-shirt with a cardigan sweeter over the top. The other 50% more formal skirt and top.

karri · Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Location: south korea

The first few week sor so i would dress really nice and business like. It sends the message to the kids that you mean business. Once you settle in to the job dress more casually. I wouldnt wear jeans the first 2 weeks.

After that i mix it up...Jeans with a nice shirt, or dresspants and a casual t-shirt. But I'm a girl. My male counter parts dress the full spectrum. Definitly go business the first few weeks though.