Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Wintermute321]

Now that it's gotten a little nicer outside, I've started rocking the shades. I have noticed Koreans generally don't wear sunglasses, and I usually am not one to notice or complain about being stared at, but I feel like there is a giant flashing light above my head from the way people stare at me when I walk down the street with shades on. I'm starting to debate which is preferable, the sun in my eyes or dealing with dirty ajumma looks before I put them on.

[ChilgokBlackHole]

What kind of shades? Eyeglass fashion is *really* different here. You might be getting strange looks because to them, your specs look ridiculous.

[Wintermute321]

[DorkothyParker]

It's been pretty overcast. Maybe that's it?
I saw TONS of people in sunglasses when I got here in the summer. Maybe it seems too early in the season (in spite of the fact that the sun is just as bright unless it's cloudy). I don't know.
Maybe they just don't flatter your face or you look shady?

[Wintermute321]

[ChilgokBlackHole]

[pkang0202]

I used to wear sunglasses a lot back home, but here in Korea I hardly wear them.

Koreans usually only wear sunglasses when they are driving, or if they are movie/tv/singing stars. (they don't want to be recognized).

For Korean women, sunglasses do not prevent sunlight from hitting their faces. Korean women are afraid sunlight will cause moles, freckles, wrinkles, and tanned skin. All of which are detrimental to their vanity.

[coralreefer_1]

It could be that people think you look really cool and like a movie star with them.

I mean that seriously.

[The Gipkik]

[LikeFrostOnRoads]

[coralreefer_1]

No way. The only real issue will be finding ones that are not huge on your face.

I brought back several pairs I bought from Wal-Mart (5-9 dollar) on my trip home back in 08, because without paying over 100,000 won for designer glasses, I have never found any that didn't smother my face.

When I wear them, Koreans say I look like Keanu Reeves. When I don't wear them, Koreans say I look like that guy Ross from "Friends". (Ive heard the Ross thing hundreds of times) Needless to say, I prefer to wear them whenever I am outside on a sunny day

[LikeFrostOnRoads]

Wait... so the Koreans find big, smothering sunglasses attractive, or the opposite? I personally prefer the larger type, although I look a bit like a d-bag . When I where the smaller type, I tend to look like 80s Euro-synth pop, not quite the look I go for.

Basically do Koreans dig the d-bag look? Cuz I can do that, no problem.

[The Goalie]

Clear, untinted sunglasses with 100% UV protection. You may not look cool but you might look smart.

[djsmnc]

I didn't know there was a standard for wearing sunglasses here. Why not just wear the ones you like when you like?

[perelandra]

i have gotten a few positive comments in passing from strangers when i wear my shades - i think it's the glamor thing that someone mentioned earlier, ha.

regardless of what people here think of my sunglasses, i love them - being able to see easily trumps any consideration of outside opinion. though if you are worried about sporting unfashionable specs, I suppose you could take a stylish friend with you in search of some good replacements?