Korean Job Discussion Forums

[curiousaboutkorea]

I was wondering about how a shaved head would go down in Korea.

I've been here about 8 months. I have kept my hair very short, like I always have. I usually get it buzzed with the clippers set on 3 (I normally get it on a 2 at home, but the settings here seems to be shorter). I know this is a very uncommon haircut in Korea, but I figure since I'm a waygookin, people think I'm strange anyways.

BUT, will a totally shaved head look really out of place? I'm talking about busting out my razor and going cue ball. I've done it before and enjoyed it. I wanna do it again. Hair is just too annoying for me. Could I expect a negative reaction? I work in a kindergarten if that matters. What do you think?

Thanks

[Teddycakes21]

[roadwork]

Nah, the kids'll give you a little ribbing for it. Instead of going all out, why not try shaving it down with a number 12 clipper, let that go for a while then go for it.

[hwa jang shil]

I've a shaved head. People are fine, I don't think I get stared at anymore than any other foreigner, though that would be hard I think. The kinderkids are sometimes amazed, but quickly get used to it, you'll soon learn the words Bab bak kki and tae mori. Oh and I managed to convince one Kinder girl that all people in the UK have 'no hair'. They will keep trying to touch your head though!

[dalem]

My boyfriend balded early, so instead of having the receeding hairline he shaves it. The kids are fine with it and the admin staff at my hogwan didn't care (and he teaches pre-school).

The only thing is get ready for your head to be stroked/tapped/carressed by adoshis. They friggin love it. On the subway, about once a month an adoshi will try touching his head.

[roadwork]

[ReeseDog]

Man, if the hair goes, then suck it up and bic your head.

[Are they the lemmings]

[Teddycakes21]

[roadwork]

[weebil]

i also always shaved my head when i was back home. after i arrived in korea, my boss told me that i wasn't allowed to shave my head anymore because "it looks scary" and "only gangsters shave their heads." i was like "uhhhhh... wtf?" so, now i have long hair and look like a slob.

i can't wait to leave this terrible, backwards country.

[ReeseDog]

[drunkenfud]

I had long hair when I first arrived, but soon got tired of hearing people ask whether I was a man or woman. So I concluded that a haircut was required, but how could I say what I wanted with minimal Korean? I considered my options - phone a Korean friend from the barbers, take in a photo of the style I wanted, get it done in Itaewon etc etc. In the end I decided the easiest course of action was to go to a local place and mime head shaving. I've had a shaved head before, and appreciate the convenience of it.

Anyway, the next day I got on the bus to go home from school and there was a Buddhist monk already riding it. He gave me a startled look then a full bow with his hands clasped together, prayer style, on his forehead.

[mmstyle]

My husband shaves his head. He got a few questions at work about why he chooses to do that, but it's never been an issue. The under 3 years old crowd is always fascinated by him when we are out and about and he gets a lot of smiles from them. Mostly, his kids think it's cool, and they did want to touch his head at his old school, but I think he didn't let them do taht at the new school.

Just from the woman's perspective, IMO, a man who chooses to shave it all when he is balding seems much more in control of his style than a man with a comb over or something. As one poster said, consider head shape as well.

[DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP]

I had a grade 1 all over shaved head last year.

No-one batted an eyelid (I worked in public school) except the odd student calling me 'taemori seongsangnim' - 'bald teacher.'

All my Korean co-workers thought it looked really good.