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Do I need a suit?
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silkhighway



Joined: 24 Oct 2010
Location: Canada

PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 5:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Carbon wrote:

As I said, in my initial post, not a suit as such, but a casual set; the jacket can be removed easily at work. Anything but jeans and t-shirts is a step in the right direction. And again, I do think attire is no trivial thing in Korea. Another good investment is a decent briefcase...anything but a backpack.


I actually agree with you to some extent. Not so much while yo're teaching or when you're doing your day to day activities, but when you're dealing with the general public or "boss of your boss" (I don't consider your class "the general public") you want to give the appearance that you're a professional as much as possible. If you were having your first meeting with a lawyer for instance, and he was dressed casually, you wouldn't have as much confidence in him. In a way it's silly, but it's true because you don't really have a lot more else to go on besides your gut feeling. On the other hand, if you see your lawyer 3 times a week you wouldn''t be so concerned about how well-dressed he is.
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silkhighway



Joined: 24 Oct 2010
Location: Canada

PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 6:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

southernman wrote:

At both my old Hagwon and past current PS's I've needed to wear them on several different occasions.



Me too in both hagwon and PS. They prob would have been ok with shirt and tie, but they appreciated when I wore a suit.

Quote:

I wouldn't buy a suit here in Korea. In my opinion they aren't designed or suited (excuse the pun) for western tastes.


Itaewon!!


Quote:

I read one time that in any mans life they should buy at least one hand made tailored suit.

On your next vacation to say Thailand/China or Vietnam (where I got mine) invest in a hand made tailored suit.



This is the a great option. Pick up a wardrobe of work clothes while you're at it.
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happiness



Joined: 04 Sep 2010

PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 6:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have had a couple real nice suits made here and not too pricey, HK. har!


just go to the Gap and get a couple pair of khakis and a button down shirt and a sweater. thats good enough.
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northway



Joined: 05 Jul 2010

PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 6:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Carbon wrote:
sirius black wrote:
The overwhelming amount of male tachers (I'd take a guess of 98%) don't have one.


Funny how perspective is everything. 100% of teachers I know wear them daily. I guess we travel in different circles.


Even at the hagwon I work at we've only had one guy who didn't at least own one (out of upwards of ten guys), and he got ripped on for being a slob by both foreigners and Koreans.
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methdxman



Joined: 14 Sep 2010

PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 6:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

As a general rule, it's impossible to overdress as a guy.

Just see what other teachers do at your school and dress slightly better.

A nice jacket + shirt + tie + jeans can do wonders.
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minos



Joined: 01 Dec 2010
Location: kOREA

PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 6:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If possible, get it made here...much cheaper than the states.

Yes, you need a Suit....especially if you want to switch jobs here....

Apparently few foreigners wear suits to interviews here Shocked
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cyui



Joined: 10 Jan 2011

PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 6:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am sorry but I don't think wearing a suit is automatically going to make you a better teacher or going to make the students' automatically wanna come to your class.

ESL just isn't as prrofessional as some of it's everday suit-wearing counterparts,whose salery can match thier dresscode. I think it highly innaporate in an industry where you are making such little pay; having to use contionous tedious and mundane talk , feeling endlesy tired,and worn out from all the screaming and mounds of planning( versus sitting at a desk doing office tasks' or going to a courtroom and ,thus feeling/looking good from being able to use your brain without all the extra effort).

You feel effortless because that is just what it is. In turn, you don't 'dress the part" because it not the way.
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Carbon



Joined: 28 Jan 2011

PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 8:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

cyui wrote:
I am sorry but I don't think wearing a suit is automatically going to make you a better teacher or going to make the students' automatically wanna come to your class.

ESL just isn't as prrofessional as some of it's everday suit-wearing counterparts,whose salery can match thier dresscode. I think it highly innaporate in an industry where you are making such little pay; having to use contionous tedious and mundane talk , feeling endlesy tired,and worn out from all the screaming and mounds of planning( versus sitting at a desk doing office tasks' or going to a courtroom and ,thus feeling/looking good from being able to use your brain without all the extra effort).

You feel effortless because that is just what it is. In turn, you don't 'dress the part" because it not the way.


EFL in Korea is what you make it. If you don't feel/look/act professionally when you are taking the role of a teacher, then you are misunderstanding or misinterpreting your job. Who said anything about attire being a magic elixir? It isn't, but it is part of an overall package, which includes knowledge and ability.

Most of what you speak of is off-topic. Somehow you equate how you feel to how you dress, which is an odd way to think. I have found that looking sharp can enhance my mood, but hey, maybe I am strange.

Not to nitpick, but if you also spell/write as you feel, then I guess you are having a rough day.

Wink
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minos



Joined: 01 Dec 2010
Location: kOREA

PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 8:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

cyui wrote:
I am sorry but I don't think wearing a suit is automatically going to make you a better teacher or going to make the students' automatically wanna come to your class.

ESL just isn't as prrofessional as some of it's everday suit-wearing counterparts,whose salery can match thier dresscode. I think it highly innaporate in an industry where you are making such little pay; having to use contionous tedious and mundane talk , feeling endlesy tired,and worn out from all the screaming and mounds of planning( versus sitting at a desk doing office tasks' or going to a courtroom and ,thus feeling/looking good from being able to use your brain without all the extra effort).

You feel effortless because that is just what it is. In turn, you don't 'dress the part" because it not the way.


High end TOEFL classes, University teaching, Biz conversation, etc. are not easy and the pay is better than dicking around 5 yr. olds.
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sirius black



Joined: 04 Jun 2010

PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 10:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Carbon wrote:
sirius black wrote:
The overwhelming amount of male tachers (I'd take a guess of 98%) don't have one.


Funny how perspective is everything. 100% of teachers I know wear them daily. I guess we travel in different circles.

...or different cities. I know of only a few that require a jacket. The most formal I've ever seen is a school that requires collared shirts (to guard against t shirts). Ive seen guys wear them at schools but not required to do so even the PS teachers. Business casusal is the most I've ever heard of someone having to. I've never heard of a contract that said 'bring a suit, its required. There very well could be but I've not heard of one.
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southernman



Joined: 15 Jan 2010
Location: On the mainland again

PostPosted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 10:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

[quote="silkhighway"]
southernman wrote:



Quote:

I read one time that in any mans life they should buy at least one hand made tailored suit.

On your next vacation to say Thailand/China or Vietnam (where I got mine) invest in a hand made tailored suit.



This is the a great option. Pick up a wardrobe of work clothes while you're at it.


Yup for the $250, I got as I say 5 hand made shirts for work/business, plus included in the extras were 5 short sleeved casual/work shirts. So I think I've got it covered.

Personally, I think I'll avoid Itaewan for suits, the beach at Nga Tran (just named in Tripadvisers top 10 in the world) is a far better place to hang out while waiting for your suits/shirts to be tailored.

For everything I bought, my trip basically was free, when comparing what I would have paid for the equivalent cut/quality in a western country

Then again I avoid Itaewon like the plague so I'm probably a tad biased Smile
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RMNC



Joined: 21 Jul 2010

PostPosted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 1:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

This is for men.

Show up at the airport wearing slacks and belt, dress shoes, an oxford shirt (tucked in you slob) and a blazer. No tie needed.

For your first day, leave out the blazer. Repeat ad nauseum for the rest of your career. The only exception is if you're forced to wear a tie or you teach Kindergarten, in which case any apparel is OK.

Essentially, just go with business casual. You'll still look better and put off a better image than 90% of the ESL teachers in Korea by tucking in your shirt.
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ontheway



Joined: 24 Aug 2005
Location: Somewhere under the rainbow...

PostPosted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 6:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bring your suit if you have one.

If you have any social skills at all you will be invited to Korean weddings, first birthday parties, business meetings and luncheons, solnal and chuseok gatherings, (and hopefully not, but also funerals) and other social events where you'll want to dress properly.
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cyui



Joined: 10 Jan 2011

PostPosted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 7:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am sorry but you don't need that much knowledge or ability to teach ESL.

Yeah, it can make you feel like you look great, but what happens' when you take off your suit and put on sweats'? You're still the same person.

My ex tried this as a trick to get me. He though that by wearing a suit, it would make in a difference in how I felt or change the kind of guy he was. Yes, he was Korean, so appreantly they think the same way about the suit.

This isn't an editing article, so nickpick all you want, doesn't matter one bit to me. Really could care less.
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lonestarteacher



Joined: 09 Jan 2011
Location: Suncheon

PostPosted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 9:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

northway wrote:
Carbon wrote:
sirius black wrote:
The overwhelming amount of male tachers (I'd take a guess of 98%) don't have one.


Funny how perspective is everything. 100% of teachers I know wear them daily. I guess we travel in different circles.


Even at the hagwon I work at we've only had one guy who didn't at least own one (out of upwards of ten guys), and he got ripped on for being a slob by both foreigners and Koreans.


There's a certain class about a man that knows how to complete himself and present himself...
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