Korean Job Discussion Forums

nautilus · Joined: 26 Nov 2005 Location: Je jump, Tu jump, oui jump!

Usually when I have my beard and moustache, Korean men in particular are fairly polite and pleasant.

Without it, I get a lot of passive aggression of them. I think its because I look younger and they see me as some sort of lower ranking as a result.
The women tend to give me more attention though.

Anyone noticed anything like this?

Radius · Joined: 20 Dec 2009

i dont think alot of koreans can actually grow beards from the looks of it. i have a goatee and the kids like to touch it then giggle hysterically.

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

I started growing a goatee recently and hot damn if it hasn't drawn the attention of the local lasses.

I remember years back when I hadn't shaved one day, I told the girl I was with "I didn't have a chance to shave this morning" and she said "It's good, like rough man"

So, I can answer you nautilus, with an "affirmative"

Agent 13 · Joined: 28 Nov 2009 Location: Look Inside

You've got to be able to carry it, man. Perception does not equal reality, and Koreans are keen to that. Enough said for now.

Cerberus · Joined: 29 Oct 2009

last year when I was considering growing a goattee. my coteacher said if I did then most of our students would try to imitate me Shocked

maybe I should try it out Idea

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

A lot of Kgals really like the "Dr. House" look. I've heard it from at least 5-6 different ones in the past three months.

kohmelo · Joined: 26 Sep 2009

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

I've had a beard for about half the time I've been in Korea. I have never noticed a difference in how I'm treated.

flakfizer · Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 4:55 pm Post subject:

I've heard it makes a difference if you're male or female.

DorkothyParker · Joined: 11 Apr 2009 Location: Jeju

My husband has gotten some attention for his beard. I mean, drunk college kids just shouting "beard" outside of Family Mart and the like. And drunk business men sharing tequila in bars.

It probably depends on the type of beard. They may treat someone with a pansy little goatee differently than a real man with a full and glorious beard.

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

DorkothyParker · Joined: 11 Apr 2009 Location: Jeju

Hmm... Jesus or Santa might be a little too full.
http://imgsrv.kluv.com/image/kluv/UserFiles/Image/NEW%20AM%20SHOW/Images/beards.jpg

I'm partial to the top far right look. Though, some men can pull off a retro mustache quite well. Third row down and second from the right is fine in the Winter if matched with handsome sweaters.

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

nautilus · Joined: 26 Nov 2005 Location: Je jump, Tu jump, oui jump!

Mr. BlackCat · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Location: Insert witty remark HERE

I grew a full, yet well maintained, beard last winter and had the exact opposite reaction from the locals than what is being said here. I work in an elementary school and the students usually come up and talk to me, give me small gifts and whatnot. Not with the beard. They refused to speak to me even when I just said hello. Many of them seemed downright scared of me. My co-teachers told me daily that having a beard = criminal or something to hide. My principal and VP outright told me that I should shave it and it was not appropriate for a teacher. I just grew it during winter break before I went on vacation and shaved upon my return.

I work in a lower income area of Seoul so there's lots of surly drunk adjoshis roaming around even at noon, but I've never had many problems besides the glares and swearing at me under their breaths. But with the beard on two seperate occassions a man came up to me and started yelling at me and pushing me while I was walking home from work. I had a group of young adults pointing at me and shouting racial slurs, which I've also never experienced (during the day at least). I taught an adult class for a while and everyday they told me to shave because "Koreans are more advanced because we don't have so much hair. You are monkey." Korean women, for the most part, just laughed. Of course if I cared what Korean women found attractive I'd go anorexic, wear make-up, wax my entire body and spend more time primping my hair than sleeping.

Then I went to South East Asia and was treating like a king. But in Korea it was a horrible experience (though after a couple of weeks I just started laughing at the extreme reactions). I wouldn't do it again, I had to re-build bridges at work and convince the kids that taking candy from me wouldn't result in abduction and murder. Usually.