Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jammo]

any stigma?

[Fishead soup]

Don't expect any respect if you look like Grizzly Adams.A short tidy beard would be Ok. Keep your hair short.

The women don't like it. You might get an artsy lady or someone who is more individualistic. Your odds of scoring will be seriously decreased.

Either Shave it off. Keep it short and tidy or take a job in the Middle East.

[Underwaterbob]

My friend who had a beard for some time said he got a lot of "dirty" and "old" comments. Judging from your average bearded Korean (in my experience), this stereotype is well earned.

I tried to find some examples, but a search for "beard" (수염) on Naver only gave me links to hair-removal services and Halloween costumes.

[crossmr]

one of my friends had a bear here about 3 years ago. Apparently old men like to come up to him and rub his face and tell him what a "powerful" face he had.

[Whitey Otez]

http://www.venceremosonline.org/beard_comment.htm

[KAMAKAZI]

whats with people trying to grow full lenth beards anyway? i could never understand it
there are no positives to growing one, only negatives, especially in korea

they are itchy and make you look older.

i guess its coz guys are too lazy to shave

[KAMAKAZI]

whats with people trying to grow full lenth beards anyway? i could never understand it
there are no positives to growing one, only negatives, especially in korea

they are itchy and make you look older.

i guess its coz guys are too lazy to shave

[PRagic]

You can do the beard thing here because you're a foreigner, much like you can do the uber casual clothes at work thing because you're a foreigner. If you get complements, it's probably because they generally refrain from cutting people down in public and just need something to say.

In short, don't sweat it, but don't expect it to reflect positively on you or your organization; it'll be just another one of those odd looking quirky, individualistic things that foreign guys seem to be proud of doing for some reason.

No biggie.

[mt01ap]

You might get a few more stares I don't think you'll run into problems. If it's neat and nice, I think it's all good.

[JungMin]

Usually I'm clean shaven, but now and again I run with a short, kept beard and have never once experienced any negativity because of it. People tend to go out of their way to comment on how they can't personally grow the same thing.
I'd say keep it clean (short and neck trimmed etc) and you'll have absolutely no problems.

[Pojogae]

I've occasionally grown beards as a gesture of silent protest at unsatisfactory work conditions. The bosses hate it, and it can be an effective tactic if you want to get under their skin without doing anything overt enough for them to censure you over. Small jollies I know, but that sulky disapproving glance they flash you can be quite gratifying if you've got the hump over something. Although I personally can never go more than 3 weeks before the itching drives me crazy and I have to let it go.

[D-Man]

[Gimpokid]

King Sejong had a beard and he did pretty well by Koreans.

It may have been the hat though.