Korean Job Discussion Forums

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

I don't believe in squishing the toes. It might look sexy when the shoes are on, but I like having pretty feet. No corns or bent toes for this gal.

I'll see about picking some up when I'm back in the states. I don't mind hand washing them. I'd only wear them for walking, as I use an elliptical for running ever since I dislocated my knee badly.

[chungbukdo]

Look into the SmartWool version then. That's the pair I wish I had.

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

Thanks for the tip.

[ESL Milk "Everyday]

Believe it or not, I've always found Koreans to be a lot less critical of what I'm wearing than people back home-- but that could be just because I care less about what they think and sort of play up the whole 'I'm foreign, I'm supposed to be weird' angle.

I think that Koreans will be curious, but not necessarily critical... and they tend to like things that seem expensive and have health benefits.

[pkang0202]

If a Korean teacher came to school wearing Vibram 5 Fingers, or even Birkenstocks for that matter, they would get chewed out by the administration.


But, I guess since this isn't your country and you can play the "I'm the eccentric foreigner" card you can try and get away with that. Will you get away with it? Probably. Will anyone take you seriously as a "professional"? No.

[winaniw]

NYC_Gal 2.0: Chungbukdo's experience with flat feet was similar to mine. Wearing $800 orthodic insoles for "arch support" was never helpful to me, but Vibrams and huarches changed my life for the better. Think about arched doorways or bridges: arches are weakened by pressure from below and actually strengthened by pressure from above.
I went barefoot for a year before discovering Vibrams, but people without that experience are advised to wear them for only a few hours at a time at first. It will probably take you a few weeks to become comfortable in them 24/7.

Chungbukdo: Simply washing Vibrams doesn't really take the stink out of them, true. The secret is to either 1) sprinkle baking soda inside and on top of them, then leave it overnight, 2) soak them overnight in a bucket with baking soda, or 3) leave them in a chlorinated poor overnight. Voila, horrible stench is gone!
I agree that thin-soled ballet slipper have some of the benefits that Vibrams and huarches do, but they're not half as much fun. And having your toes separated leads to a much more natural gait.

Pkang0202: I hear that most teachers, even Korean ones, wear slippers inside the school. Would you suggest huarches (like so: http://invisibleshoe.com) with toe socks as a more "professional" alternative?

[chungbukdo]

[Css]

Does anyone know if theyre available here in korea? or of any online stores that ship to korea?

[McGenghis]

Css: I saw them at the Hyundai Department Store in Apgujeong last summer. I am pretty sure it was there. It might have been that Galleria place nearby.

[winaniw]

Update: Wearing the VFFs every day, no complaints from administrations or co-teachers. Since I dress professionally head-to-ankles, they seem to regard it as an acceptable eccentricity. This might not fly in more rural areas or in schools with stricter dress codes, however.

[Slowmotion]

[Chet Wautlands]

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

[dyc]

Vibram FFs are great for sports, but for everyday use, they make you look like someone grafted gorilla feet onto your body.

[neilio]

Update: VFF are available in 3 locations in Korea. Check their facebook site.

And to the people ripping vibrams, saying they're not 'professional.' No one mentioned the fact that it's only because they're novel that they look 'strange.'

Unlike a tie, bowtie, vests, and other things that have zero functional worth, and how they came to represent 'professionalism' i have no idea. Vibram shoes are highly beneficial. At a point in time, all the mitten wearing masses were laughing at this new weird "glove" that hit the market..

TO help transition , there are all black 'minimalist' models and even ones that are unwebbed to appease the masses.