Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Banana_Man]

If you believe your middle class school kids and co-teachers (most of whom are so very sheltered in their existence) then all those with tattoos are gangsters just as all those who ride motorcycles are gangsters and everyone who has a shaven head is a gangster, also everyone who owns/works in/uses a PC bang is a gangster and; everyone who likes rock music/girls who smoke outside/anyone who swears/goes to a game room/insert anything else you can think of is a gangster.

It's not true - tattoos are fine, so many people here have real ones, same as anywhere else, just most foreigners can't see past their own massive noses to notice anyone outside their drinking group or school.

Cover up at work though, the boss or some parents might not like them.

[emichelle18]

I have a somewhat similar question regarding piercing. I will be coming to Korea as a teacher through GEPIK, so I will be working in a public school. I have my nose pierced and wear a tiny silver stud about the size of a small pinhead. Will this be acceptable? Should I take it out for work, or remove it all together before coming to Korea? (If possible, I would like to avoid this last option)

[Banana_Man]

My advice for this would be to ask someone at the school what the boss is like - I know foreigners with piercing that are okay in school but, i've also heard a lot about boss' saying no - tattoos on the body can be covered a facial piercing may rub parents/co-workers the wrong way.

[MattAwesome]

i would cover it during school. not bcause you need to be conservative, but because you would want to avoid all the staring and giggling korean children do. my hairy arms and legs are enough to get everyone to stare at me. so, i wear long sleeves and pants mostly year round.
if you are out, show that art off!

[sheba]

[Hobophobic]

[Justine]

OK,

I have a nose ring and a small tattoo behind my ear on my neck. What do you think about taking nose ring out and covering tattoo? I wont be able to cover my tattoo very well, only with my hair..

Thanks

[shinbowl]

well, a lot of korean women that have tattoos are hookers or that kind of girls..

[thomas pars]

tattoos are white trash.

[Chucky]

Tattoos in Korea are almost totally unnacceptable.

Sure some people have them and some people are cool with them. But 90% of the people here are shocked and afraid of them.

Most Korean people who see my tattoos around here act like they just saw a ghost. And they stare at my tattoos like they are hypnotized.

Korean culture is conservative and insular. Tattoos are still for sub cultures here basically. Foreigners, whores, total hippies.....

[sesyeux]

we mostly fit into the 'foreigner sub-culture', so it's all good.
we could look like that guy who has made himself into a cat, it wouldn't matter

[sesyeux]

p.s http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1411/633652509_4b55302cd7.jpg?v=0

[glassandshells]

so many results come up under a search for "tattoo", but this seems like the most appropriate thread for my question. are tattoos on women any more acceptable than they were a year ago? looks like the most recent posts (from what i could find) on this topic are from 2010. i anticipate covering my tattoo (on my upper back) at work, but i'm wondering if i will still be judged quite a bit outside of the workplace. thanks for any feedback.

[DorkothyParker]

Are you Korean or of an Asian descent that could pass as Korean at a quick glance?

If not, people are going to notice/stare at you. You will occasionally encounter curious or rude people. Most people will pay no mind.

The tattoo is fine. In general, ladies tend to cover their top and allow their rears to hang out. A different sort of modesty, I suppose. Cleavage will probably draw more eyes than a tattoo. In any case, no one is drawing pitch forks.
I've never experienced any issue with my tattoos (or manner of dress) in the Seoul area or in my current small(ish) city in Jeju. Don't worry.

[glassandshells]

great, thanks for the info. i expect everyone will be staring at my chest then haha.