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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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silverquill
Joined: 12 Aug 2009
Location: Cheonan, Korea
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 Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 8:32 am Post subject: |
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| Dude Ranch wrote: |
First impressions AND image are HUGE in Korea.
So EVEN if you are told you don't have to dress up, and your co workers don't dress up, and the school does not have a dress code, I would suggest still dressing nicely (especially for the first couple of weeks/months). |
This is the best advice!
I wore slacks, shirt and tie when I started in April until the weather got hot, then I shed the tie -- but, kept it at my desk so it would be handy. Wouldn't you know it, the next week they suddenly said, "Picture for the school book today!" Glad I had a tie to grab.
None of the other male Korean teachers wear ties, and the principals don't were them all of the time.
The women were nice clothes, both dresses and slacks, occasionally jeans, but that is still considered fashionable for them. Modesty is the rule.
In general I would say that Koreans are more clothes and fashion conscious than Americans, at least the women. Oh, and the high heels with mini-skirts! Not for school teachers, at school, though. |
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8minutepopsong
Joined: 02 Aug 2009
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| Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 1:36 am Post subject: |
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| what about skinny/straight leg pants? is that a big no-no? i recently bought a pair of black pants to wear to work in korea that look more the skinny style than loose leg dress pants. |
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8minutepopsong
Joined: 02 Aug 2009
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| Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 1:38 am Post subject: |
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| oh, and what is the general rule for make up? i mean, i get that i'm not supposed to look like a painted up *beep*, but am i supposed to come in looking like a mennonite housewife or is a moderate amount ok? WHERE IS THE LINE DRAAAWN? |
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Carla
Joined: 21 Nov 2008
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| Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 1:58 am Post subject: |
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| 8minutepopsong wrote: |
| oh, and what is the general rule for make up? i mean, i get that i'm not supposed to look like a painted up *beep*, but am i supposed to come in looking like a mennonite housewife or is a moderate amount ok? WHERE IS THE LINE DRAAAWN? |
Moderate amount. Actually, no makeup is not good either, so no mennonite housewife! |
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wakingup
Joined: 20 May 2009
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| Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 1:59 am Post subject: |
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| dessab wrote: |
What about for the ladies?? Any rules about skirts needing to be below the knee or anything? Are sleeveless tops OK?
Any specifics would be awesome  |
If you get to Korea in summer (the height of miniskirt and short-shorts season), you'll realize how funny the below the knee thing sounds. I understand why you asked though - honestly, I'd never wear a miniskirt (without leggings) or regular shorts to work (I have worn bermuda shorts on a field trip day once), but the Korean teachers do sometimes.
Sleeveless tops are a bit trickier. Some people say they're taboo, but I see them all the time in my area. I've never worn a tank top to work, but I have a few nicer sleeveless tops (all at least 3'' so not revealing) that I do wear. I wish I'd brought more from home for balmy August.
I teach younger kids, so I wear more casual clothing, particularly now because my classrooms are hot. Still, I never wear a T-shirt or tank top, and I try to look cute. For female teachers, I think that's generally key - I think men need to dress up more, because women have more options between casual and dressy.
I typically wear jeans at least once a week, dress capris or dress pants, skirts, dresses with leggings, etc. I have a lot of layered looks, but it's too hot for that now, so I almost always wear short sleeves right now. I recommend bringing a skirt suit and a pants suit in case you need them, but I've never worn mine - the pieces mix and match, though, so I've used them. Cute, casual jackets you can put on top of a top and jeans or a coordinated (but not matching like a suit) skirt come in handy, too. The men sometimes wear ties at my school, but I've never seen anyone in a suit.
I think the most important thing if you want to impress (as a woman) is to wear makeup and do your hair every day - most Korean women do, and it will go a long way, so will coordinated accessories and a good manicure. With clothes, as long as they're neat, they match, and you look cute (without looking sexy), you'll probably be okay.
ETA: Also, I think the older your kids, the more you should dress up. If I worked at a middle or high school, I'd probably wear closer to true business casual and perhaps even toss in a few suits, particularly at first. |
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Carla
Joined: 21 Nov 2008
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| Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 2:08 am Post subject: |
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| wakingup wrote: |
| dessab wrote: |
What about for the ladies?? Any rules about skirts needing to be below the knee or anything? Are sleeveless tops OK?
Any specifics would be awesome |
If you get to Korea in summer (the height of miniskirt and short-shorts season), you'll realize how funny the below the knee thing sounds. I understand why you asked though - honestly, I'd never wear a miniskirt (without leggings) or regular shorts to work (I have worn bermuda shorts on a field trip day once), but the Korean teachers do sometimes.
Sleeveless tops are a bit trickier. Some people say they're taboo, but I see them all the time in my area. I've never worn a tank top to work, but I have a few nicer sleeveless tops (all at least 3'' so not revealing) that I do wear. I wish I'd brought more from home for balmy August.
I teach younger kids, so I wear more casual clothing, particularly now because my classrooms are hot. Still, I never wear a T-shirt or tank top, and I try to look cute. For female teachers, I think that's generally key - I think men need to dress up more, because women have more options between casual and dressy.
I typically wear jeans at least once a week, dress capris or dress pants, skirts, dresses with leggings, etc. I have a lot of layered looks, but it's too hot for that now, so I almost always wear short sleeves right now. I recommend bringing a skirt suit and a pants suit in case you need them, but I've never worn mine - the pieces mix and match, though, so I've used them. Cute, casual jackets you can put on top of a top and jeans or a coordinated (but not matching like a suit) skirt come in handy, too. The men sometimes wear ties at my school, but I've never seen anyone in a suit.
I think the most important thing if you want to impress (as a woman) is to wear makeup and do your hair every day - most Korean women do, and it will go a long way, so will coordinated accessories and a good manicure. With clothes, as long as they're neat, they match, and you look cute (without looking sexy), you'll probably be okay.
ETA: Also, I think the older your kids, the more you should dress up. If I worked at a middle or high school, I'd probably wear closer to true business casual and perhaps even toss in a few suits, particularly at first. |
The perfect advice for a woman coming to Korea. Good Job!! |
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