Korean Job Discussion Forums

toadkillerdog · Joined: 11 Nov 2009 Location: Daejeon. ROK

Why would anyone care what Koreans think about facial hair? As a foreigner you will NEVER be accepted as part of Korean society anyway.
I've been here since 1998 and have had a beard the whole time. I keep it (and my general appearance neat and trim). It has never been an issue and I wouldn't care if it was.
My advice: accept those parts of the culture you are comfortable with, be polite and respectful, reject those parts of the culture you are not comfortable with, do your job in a professional manner and enjoy your stay.
To shave or not to shave? Who cares? Do what you want.

FurballPete · Joined: 08 Apr 2010

I'm sorry to bring up an ageing thread, but I would rather not create a new one for such a well discussed topic.

I understand that Koreans, and understandably employers in particular, tend to look unfavourably upon men with beards, but does this include designer stubble?

I ask because I generally wear a light stubble to appear slightly older, I tend to look very young without it and am trying to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of continuing this style once in Korea, i.e. positive: Will look older, and presumably be treated with more respect, negative: will look less smart.

Any thoughts?

EDIT: I tend to wear just less than this: http://images.digitalspy.co.uk/07/48/550x600_jake_gyllenhaal_5.jpg

pikadoopoo · Joined: 19 May 2011

^ Are you in Korea? If not, I suggest shaving for your resume picture and (skype) interviews just to be safe. After that, you can grow your stubble out and see how your employers react. If you've ever seen Korean resume pictures, they're really squeaky clean.

Neat/designer facial hair is becoming more common these days though.

No_hite_pls · Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 10:23 pm Post subject:

Reggie · Joined: 21 Sep 2009

Has anyone here under the age of 50, other than fromtheuk, worn one longer than three inches? If so, how was it received at work and also by the public and the ladies?

lonestarteacher · Joined: 09 Jan 2011 Location: Suncheon

Gregski · Joined: 02 Jan 2012

I've been looking into Korea attitudes toward beards, trying to decide if I should shave mine before going over there next month. I think I'm going to keep it. The responses in the various threads on this board seem to be of two varieties:

1.) Koreans hate beards. All of them. If you wear one, they will think you are a homeless drug addict. Women also hate them. All of them. If they say otherwise, they're only being nice. Believe me, I know everything about Korea, and wearing a beard is an instant signal that you are a dirty foreigner who is probably about to become violent.

2.) It's not a big deal. As long as it's well-groomed and neat, it shouldn't be a problem. If you are a Korean trying to get a corporate job, you might want to shave it, but since you're a Westerner teaching, it's not quite the same. Some women will like it, some won't. Like anywhere else in the world.

The second kind seems the most reasonable. Razz

Guajiro · Joined: 04 Dec 2008

Kwangjuchicken · Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 9:38 pm Post subject:

zombiedog · Joined: 03 Oct 2011

I saw a fisherman once with a very nice, very full big beard. He reminded me of someone out of a Hemingway novel. It was the first time I'd seen a Korean with such a beard.

I usually shave once every 3 or 4 days, so by the time I shave I get all sorts of tongue-in-cheek "teacher dirty" comments. And then I shave and I get a lot of "Oh wow teacher is young" comments like I was resurrected or something.

I don't care. Sometimes you have to trust Koreans enough to just FN deal with it.