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fbermingham
Joined: 03 Feb 2010
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Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 4:24 am Post subject: Beards in Korea |
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A potential employer asked me if I was intending on keeping my facial hair when I arrive in Korea. I told him I would shave it off if required. He seemed okay with that. But is there a stigma about beards? Would it be frowned upon if I grew it when I'd arrived? |
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crisdean
Joined: 04 Feb 2010 Location: Seoul Special City
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Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 4:35 am Post subject: Re: Beards in Korea |
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fbermingham wrote: |
A potential employer asked me if I was intending on keeping my facial hair when I arrive in Korea. I told him I would shave it off if required. He seemed okay with that. But is there a stigma about beards? Would it be frowned upon if I grew it when I'd arrived? |
I was told, by my co-teachers, they think facial hair is dirty. And with some of the soup and noodle dishes they eat I can see how it could be, but isn't that what the "man-bib" is all about?
Personally I think a significant portion of them couldn't grow a beard if their life depended on it, but that's neither here nor there. I never shave, just occasionally trim down to a vandyke though over time out of laziness I let it grow back into a full beard, they more or less accept it, but I think that's only because I'm a foreigner. I have yet to see a Korean public school teacher who isn't clean shaven, I'm not sure if they all simply choose to shave or if it's expected/required for them to. |
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Vimfuego
Joined: 10 Apr 2009
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Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 5:14 am Post subject: |
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After the first day at my school someone, one of the admin staff I guessed, left a razor on my shelf. I laughed. I haven't shaved since! |
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.38 Special
Joined: 08 Jul 2009 Location: Pennsylvania
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Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 7:03 am Post subject: |
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Man, I gotta tell ya, my beard is pretty righteous these days. I can chew on it.
The Koreans will judge your professionalism, whether intentionally or subconsciously, by Korean standards. If you would like to be found favorably professional in appearance, you might consider shaving.
Or you can be mangy like me. I am da wildabeast, coo coo cachoo  |
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fbermingham
Joined: 03 Feb 2010
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Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 8:01 am Post subject: |
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This is all very heartening. I think the trick might be to shave it so I look pretty smart when I arrive, and then gradually descend into grizzliness. |
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hiddenflask
Joined: 03 Dec 2009
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Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 9:03 am Post subject: |
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the pictures i sent were all of me with a beard and as soon as i got here they told me to shave. they said i would be "more attractive." i then asked them who they wanted to be attracted to me. ultimately i said they knew what i looked like before i got here and it wasn't a problem then. i did shave it off occasionally and let it grow back from time. they've been pretty good about it but when i shave, they all make their best effort to reassure me how much better i look,etc.
that being said, the korean folk don't care for the beards much. they also relate facial hair growth to dirty sexual thoughts (i wish i were kidding). all the money has dudes with beards; bigger and longer beards than mine!
i think it's just that it's uncommon for them and is part of the bizarre ethnocentrism. if they want to judge you by korean standards though, let them respect you like they would a korean (not going to happen). if they tell you that you'd look better without a beard, tell them they'd look better with that horrible plastic surgery that all the girls get on their eyes to make them look more western. |
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Gwangjuboy
Joined: 08 Jul 2003 Location: England
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Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 10:02 am Post subject: |
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I generally maintained stubble and shaved under my neck. If you groom your beard then I think Koreans generally are more tolerant of it. |
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alphakennyone

Joined: 01 Aug 2005 Location: city heights
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Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 2:19 pm Post subject: |
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I usually get complimented by coworkers and bosses when I grow a beard. Just not the kids or the ladies. |
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goesslry
Joined: 19 Jun 2007
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Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 5:08 pm Post subject: |
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the ones that comment do so because they are jealous.
No need to shave. A lot of the women love it, as the Korean counterparts usually don't have enough testosterone to grow one that looks decent.
I've had a beard for a long time. The trick is to keep it "clean" looking, rather than all shaggy. Still looks good, and professional. I get nothing but compliments.
Then again, I work in the arts. |
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Banana_Man
Joined: 01 Mar 2010 Location: Busan
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Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 11:10 pm Post subject: |
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^agreed, keep it clean, no rogue hair on the upper cheekbone!!!
I'm with beard and my co-workers love it! Wife not so much but, hey can't please everyone. |
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Bbang!
Joined: 31 Oct 2004 Location: Seoul
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Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 11:24 pm Post subject: Re: Beards in Korea |
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crisdean wrote: |
I have yet to see a Korean public school teacher who isn't clean shaven, I'm not sure if they all simply choose to shave or if it's expected/required for them to. |
Work at a public school. Got a beard. Don't care. |
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Gibberish
Joined: 29 Aug 2009
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Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 11:36 pm Post subject: |
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Keep it clean, keep it reasonable with the length.
It is a part of the ethnocentrism, and the perception that bears are dirty and un-Korean. However, the reason the stigma is attached to the beard is because most Korean men can barely grow hair on their upper lips. Personally, I'd go with what hiddenflask said if they ask any questions.
And bbang, he was talking about Korean school teachers, not waegooks. |
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kyopoopa
Joined: 28 Feb 2010 Location: west coast
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Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 12:12 am Post subject: |
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I usually trim it once a week or so without any guard on my clipper. Do I need to be clean shaven in the resume photo?
In lieu of shaving, would it be kosher if I just trim it all the way down once a week?
I'm a Kyopo, if that makes any difference. |
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yeti08
Joined: 04 Nov 2009 Location: Anyang - Pyeongchon
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Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 12:18 am Post subject: |
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My principal gets weird about it sometimes, mostly when she's looking for something to complain about.
She once told me that the kids think I am a grandfather and are scared of me.....
Oh well, I go between the clean shaven look and the short trimmed beard. My co-teachers and owner could care less and my Korean gf likes both.
So like most are saying keep it clean and you should be fine. |
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SNOTOSEOUL
Joined: 12 Apr 2010
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Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2010 1:29 pm Post subject: |
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If you need to know the answer listen to the Cowsills "Hair"
Let it fly in the breeze
And get caught in the trees
Flow it, show it
Long as God can grow it
My hair |
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