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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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Chet Wautlands
Joined: 11 Oct 2008
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 Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 5:56 am Post subject: |
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| GoodMike wrote: |
Stick my two cents here....
I have two tattoos, one of each forearm. I was in Korea for 3 months before my bosses, or any students knew about them. I wanted them all to see me before they saw the tattoos cause i know ANYwhere in the world there are lots of misconcetptions about tattoos (just read all the above comments and you will find several)
One day i had to go to my bosses house to pick something up, it was on the weekend, i sure as hell wasnt getting dressed up for it, my bosses wife made a little comment "oh wow, you have tattoo?" i said "yup", she said "they are not scary". I took that as a compliment. Over the next few days she wanted me to show all my coworkers and everything, and some good convos came out of it.
Then it began to get kinda hot, ok, really hot. I rolled my sleeves up in class one day. Students didnt care, most said "cool" or "me too teacher" signaling that they wanted one too. Now, all my students know and have seen them, they like to try and rub them off or erase them. I had a group of 3rd grade middleschoolers come in with their own drawn on tattoos one day to show me as well.
I have had no issues at all, my students (even the young ones) like to ask me questions about the tattoos, and it has had NO negative effects at all. Times are changing 
My bosses have both commended me on doing a great job, not only teaching english, but teaching culture as well. They used my tattoos as an example, and told me that they liked how i have used them to help students realize that not only gang members have them. It has opened discussion about cultural differences, and also gave my students a chance to open up to me and tell me things they want or like...that maybe their culture doesnt like.
I show my respect, my tattoos are covered when they need to be. Regardless where you are, there will be people saying tattoos are bad, tacky, or what have you, but that is just how it is. Same with hair style, clothing, piercings, and anything else. I dont think all tattoos look good, or are appropriate. And i recommend you get a feel for your bosses and working situation first. (sorry for the long 2 cents) |
I think was a great post. |
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brandonlk
Joined: 30 Sep 2009
Location: Bundang, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:21 am Post subject: |
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| I'm no Picasso wrote: |
| brandonlk wrote: |
| Junior wrote: |
| brandonlk wrote: |
| I was told that for public school positions they wont hire anyone with a tattoo whether it can be seen or not. They even ask on the application. |
Source? I've never seen that on any application.
I work at a public school and have worked at several, although my tattoo (on my upper arm) is easily covered by a sleeved shirt. |
I have an application in front of me now for GEPIK and it clearly asks if you have any tattoos |
Does it clearly say that they won't hire you if you have a tattoo?
Because I clearly wrote on my application that I have two, and was
accepted with no questions asked. |
No it does not say they won't accept you. My recruiter said that and he then stopped working with me. I even showed him the tattoo. Not like it is outrageous. Just a solid black cross on my forearm. He said he was not even allowed to recruit people with a tattoo. I was pissed because I would have had a public school position. Oh well
Last edited by brandonlk on Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:32 am; edited 1 time in total |
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2000zerozero
Joined: 20 Oct 2009
Location: it's a small country
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| Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:30 am Post subject: |
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Sorry - that's beat. But good job on dealing with the haters in this forum.
Better luck next time.  |
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2000zerozero
Joined: 20 Oct 2009
Location: it's a small country
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| Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:45 am Post subject: |
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| You think it's fairly ridiculous for me to make a judgment about people I know, whereas your judgment about people you don't know is more legitimate? Interesting. |
My intent was to say that, although nobody at your school cares, that doesn't mean nobody in Korea cares. I am not in any way judging people at your school. I also did not intend to convey that you are not capable of discerning your school's views on this or any issue. No offense intended; please forgive.
I aim to be a lover, not a fighter. |
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Khenan
Joined: 25 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 12:22 pm Post subject: |
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| byrddogs wrote: |
anyone that thinks working as an nset (public school or hakwon) is a professional job needs to get over it. it's not; enjoy korea but don't ever think you have a professional job with what you do here. |
Some of us are in fact professionals.
No hard feeling to the rest of you - I like a good drink myself. But just 'cause you're whiling away the days, months, or years, at an easy job making average pay, don't assume that the rest of us are in the same boat.
For the record, I hide my tats.... just like I did in every job I had in the States. Call it personal preference - I prefer not to be known as the guy with the tattoos. |
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I'm no Picasso
Joined: 28 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 3:23 pm Post subject: |
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| brandonlk wrote: |
| I'm no Picasso wrote: |
| brandonlk wrote: |
| Junior wrote: |
| brandonlk wrote: |
| I was told that for public school positions they wont hire anyone with a tattoo whether it can be seen or not. They even ask on the application. |
Source? I've never seen that on any application.
I work at a public school and have worked at several, although my tattoo (on my upper arm) is easily covered by a sleeved shirt. |
I have an application in front of me now for GEPIK and it clearly asks if you have any tattoos |
Does it clearly say that they won't hire you if you have a tattoo?
Because I clearly wrote on my application that I have two, and was
accepted with no questions asked. |
No it does not say they won't accept you. My recruiter said that and he then stopped working with me. I even showed him the tattoo. Not like it is outrageous. Just a solid black cross on my forearm. He said he was not even allowed to recruit people with a tattoo. I was pissed because I would have had a public school position. Oh well |
Your recruiter is a loser then. I'm sorry that happened to you. But I can assure you that it's not a policy of the public schools in Korea, and it's not a practice that is spread across the board. As I, and several other teachers, have noted, many of our schools were aware of our tattoos ahead of time, see them on almost a daily basis, and have no issue with it whatsoever. Find another recruiter. It may even be for the best. If your recruiter is not professional enough to do his/her research and know this information, who knows what else they could have been missing. |
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brandonlk
Joined: 30 Sep 2009
Location: Bundang, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 3:50 pm Post subject: |
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| I'm no Picasso wrote: |
| brandonlk wrote: |
| I'm no Picasso wrote: |
| brandonlk wrote: |
| Junior wrote: |
| brandonlk wrote: |
| I was told that for public school positions they wont hire anyone with a tattoo whether it can be seen or not. They even ask on the application. |
Source? I've never seen that on any application.
I work at a public school and have worked at several, although my tattoo (on my upper arm) is easily covered by a sleeved shirt. |
I have an application in front of me now for GEPIK and it clearly asks if you have any tattoos |
Does it clearly say that they won't hire you if you have a tattoo?
Because I clearly wrote on my application that I have two, and was
accepted with no questions asked. |
No it does not say they won't accept you. My recruiter said that and he then stopped working with me. I even showed him the tattoo. Not like it is outrageous. Just a solid black cross on my forearm. He said he was not even allowed to recruit people with a tattoo. I was pissed because I would have had a public school position. Oh well |
Your recruiter is a loser then. I'm sorry that happened to you. But I can assure you that it's not a policy of the public schools in Korea, and it's not a practice that is spread across the board. As I, and several other teachers, have noted, many of our schools were aware of our tattoos ahead of time, see them on almost a daily basis, and have no issue with it whatsoever. Find another recruiter. It may even be for the best. If your recruiter is not professional enough to do his/her research and know this information, who knows what else they could have been missing. |
I have since gone with a couple of other recruiters. I have not even mentioned the fact that I have a tattoo and why should I? They haven't asked. All the public school positions are gone for now and so I will be stuck at a private. Hopefully it turns out well. |
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lat125
Joined: 22 Apr 2009
Location: Gyeongju
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| Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 4:34 pm Post subject: RE: brandonlk |
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brandonlk, i got your pm but apparently i can't use that yet (not nuff posts).
but anyway, yeah gettin the physical wasn't a problem at all. are you comin thru EPIK or a hagwon? we're here with EPIK and we did a mass physical in an auditorium so we never had to get undressed or anythin. |
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brandonlk
Joined: 30 Sep 2009
Location: Bundang, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 4:39 pm Post subject: Re: RE: brandonlk |
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| lat125 wrote: |
brandonlk, i got your pm but apparently i can't use that yet (not nuff posts).
but anyway, yeah gettin the physical wasn't a problem at all. are you comin thru EPIK or a hagwon? we're here with EPIK and we did a mass physical in an auditorium so we never had to get undressed or anythin. |
I was lined up with a job through GEPIK but the recruiter said no when he found out I had a tattoo and said they would deny me. So now I am coming through a hagwon. I assume this will involve a trip to the hospital but how specific are the Dr.'s going to be besides the obvious questions of "does he have a disease?" They may mark down that I have tattoos but I wonder if that will be passed on to the school. All I can do is say that you never asked me so why would I have mentioned it. |
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lat125
Joined: 22 Apr 2009
Location: Gyeongju
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| Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:43 pm Post subject: |
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wow that really sucks bout GEPIK sorry to hear. as with everythin, it'll depend on your school and town and all but docs here are pretty non-intrusive in my little experience. the only thing i can see posing any difficulty is giving em blood samples, but you can present a non-inked forearm i suppose.
even if they do see it, it seems like most of the Koreans are pretty apathetic about inked foreigners and your hagwon probably won't care much. if anythin they may appreciate you bein sensitive and respectful nuff for make the attempt to keep it kinda under wraps. |
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lat125
Joined: 22 Apr 2009
Location: Gyeongju
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| Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:48 pm Post subject: |
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oh and at the risk of gettin off topic...
yeah was in seattle for about five years before comin over. what part of the city are you in? i was goin to school at seattle u and working in south lake union area. loved the city but the winters jus wore me down (originally i'm from Hawaii) and an international change sounded best, though it sounds like we're still gonna be dealin with uber cold winters here in Gyeongju haha. |
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brandonlk
Joined: 30 Sep 2009
Location: Bundang, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:53 pm Post subject: |
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I am not going to stress over it anymore. I am sure it will ok. The tats will be covered and that is all that should matter
I here the winters in Busan are mild. The last few winters here in Seattle have been the worst I have ever experienced. Very uncommon. I have lived all over, Kirkland, Tukwila, Bellevue..now in Mill Creek. I love Seattle. |
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I'm no Picasso
Joined: 28 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 7:40 pm Post subject: |
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Re: the med check. Both times I've been for mine, I've had to remove absolutely every scrap of clothing on the top half of my body. And I'm a girl. But unless you get extremely unlucky, there's no reason why anyone at the hospital would feel the need to mark it on your forms. Also, once you're here and doing the medcheck, the school is hardly going to send you back home.
Your former recruiter is clearly green as hell. I've met fewer foreigners here without tattoos than with, actually.
Also, about going with hagwon... are you sure you don't want to wait a few months for the spring hiring? Or, in the meantime, it's possible (probable) that a few positions will come open from teachers who quit/run/have contracts that end in between terms. I have no idea of your inclination, but it sounds like you really wanted public. In my opinion, it might be worth it to wait. Just get with a recruiter who isn't a moron. Or do as you suggested and don't mention the tattoo(s) again. |
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Perceptioncheck
Joined: 13 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:47 pm Post subject: |
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I agree with I'm no Picasso. . .don't worry about the medical check. My co-teacher went quite pale as soon as they pulled out the needles and dissapeared with astonishing speed. It's unlikely they'll be around when you have to remove clothing. I also had to remove my top (as a girl) and they saw my tattoos and didn't bat an eyelid.
However, my nipple rings must have shown up on the chest x-ray and caused quite a keffuffle until the technicians figured out what they were. Don't think they went in the report either. 
However, I'm no Picasso, I think it's pretty irresponsible to tell people having obvious tatts won't effect their employment chances; whether you like them or not, you have to accept there is a certain social stigma attatched to tattoos especially in Korea, where tattooing culture is still in its infancy.
I can appreciate that you got lucky with your tats. It sounds like you're at an exceptional school. You're probably a very good teacher. But not every school is like yours and recruiters can afford to pick and choose now that more graduates are coming over to Korea.
Potential employers aren't going to like the fact you have a tattoo. At best, they might not care. But the chances of them having a negative reaction is pretty high while the chances of them having a positive reaction is negligable. Why take that chance?
This is aside from my personal opinion, which is that showing ink at work is extremely unprofessional. I'm covered in tattoos and have to wear long sleeves and long pants every day of the year, but it was my choice to get all those tattoos so I just suck it up. |
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megandadam
Joined: 28 Dec 2008
Location: toronto, canada
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| Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:49 pm Post subject: |
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no one really cares about tattoos in my experience.
it's something the kids are usually interested in and curious about.
don't listen to the people who say you can't work here with visible tattoos - it's simply not true. |
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