Korean Job Discussion Forums

Olivencia · Joined: 08 Mar 2009

Hit a few warm days when I arrived last year in September. I walked around with a tank top on and received looks of surprise so I was wondering with spring coming in about two months if it was acceptable in Korean society to wear tank tops. When I later went out that same day I saw three men wearing them - one guy was in his 50's while the other two were in their mid 20's and no one seemed to care.

Thanks

Forward Observer · Joined: 13 Jan 2009 Location: FOB Gloria

DEPENDS ON HOW MUCH HAIR YOU GOT HANGIN OUT THAR COWBOY

dosed_neurons · Joined: 23 Nov 2009

we really won't be able to judge if it is acceptable or not until we see a picture and can see how hot you are, olivia...duh. if you're a dude, no thanks.

Olivencia · Joined: 08 Mar 2009

I'm not hot. I'm just your average Joe.
Dudes can't wear tank tops?

Cerulean · Joined: 19 Aug 2009

No, it's not.

Olivencia · Joined: 08 Mar 2009

What kind of clothing is worn (that is acceptable) in the hot months of summer?
And would this also apply (no tank tops) to situations like outdoor basketball games, soccer etc?

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

You've got it all wrong - it wasn't not the tank top that was getting you the stares.. it was the fact that it was SEPTEMBER.

The great Han has FOUR seasons, remember? And they are all divided metrculously, just like their most scientific language... Winter starts from November and ends in March, Spring is April, May and June, Summer is July and August, Autumn is September and October.

During the months of November to June and September and October, if you wear short sleeves or appear to be too Summer-y, people are going to tell you *choooooooooooooooo-oooooorrrrrhhhhhhhhhhh*.

Tank tops are fine... just do whatever you want and ignore everyone else. I always do.

IT'S JUST ME · Joined: 08 Nov 2009

Probably not a good idea.

Olivencia · Joined: 08 Mar 2009

Yeah I think I understand what you mean tzechuck. Several years back I lived near the beach and in mid May I took a small jog to the beach. The water looked inviting so I went in. Not really that cold at all but when I happened to tell some of my students about it they were surprised that I would go swimming "in May"!!..and this wasn't in Cheju.
I'm thinking to myself...I don't need a calendar to tell me when its acceptable to swim in the same way I don't need a clock to let me know that I should eat. When I'm sweaty I swim. When I'm hungry I eat.

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

Who cares! Wear what the heck you want to wear! Ain't no one's business!
Gesh...people will always find something to whine and cry about if it's something they don't like...but yet, will do the same thing in return. I used to go jogging at the university I was teaching at....shirt less...just running shorts...during the summer.....complaints were made by the wives of professors'..."foreigner jogging with no shirt".....I was told to wear a shirt.....I told 'em to f*$& off and mind your own business....and I resigned for a third year by the way.... No law says I have to wear a shirt! What about at the beach....many shirtless guys jogging along the on the sand. Again, folks will always complain about something....

abigolblackman · Joined: 06 Jun 2009

When I was in college in America, I used to run daily with a tank top. I cam across some Korean women I was tutoring and they started laughing when they saw me. I asked what was up and they told me that only ajosshis [how the hell do you spell this in English?] wear tank tops, and thus, I automatically looked like an ajosshi.

That may be your answer there. You know, like only adjummas have afros.

abigolblackman

pkang0202 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007

Tank top acceptability goes hand in hand with bust size. If you have a small chest, then wearing a tank top is acceptable.

If your chest shows the slightest bit of "valley" cleavage then no. Its perfectly legal to wear a tank top, but don't complain when people stare and old men yell at you in Korean to cover up.

If you are a D cup or bigger, you will need to post pics so we forum members can assess the situation, and give you a more informed response.

djsmnc · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Dave's ESL Cafe

I don't think anyone will think you're comitting a crime for wearing a tanktop. The crime is being a westerner in Korea! It's like the line from that classic film "Don't be a Menace..."

"We was busted for bein' black on a Friday night"

Olivencia · Joined: 08 Mar 2009

I love going on runs shirtless. It feels so great (Yes, I am a man). HOANG that is awesome. You would not believe how much I sweat. I had a few encounters here - most of them fun, positive and encouraging....a few otherwise.