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globalgirlk
Joined: 18 Jun 2008
Location: Livingston, La
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 Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 10:32 pm Post subject: Random questions about South Korea |
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How are piercings viewed in South Korea. I used to have an eyebrow ring, nose ring, and the standard ear rings. Could I potentially be not hire-able if I were to have a nose or eyebrow ring? What about my visible tattoo? It is on the inside of my wrist and is a bird.
Another question I have is regarding the Atheist and also the Pagan communities in South Korea. My guess would be to keep my beliefs to myself?
Thankies for any answers. |
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comm
Joined: 22 Jun 2010
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| Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 11:06 pm Post subject: |
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| The tattoo will need to be covered, they're considered signs of criminality... A wide and lightweight wristband would be fine I'm sure. I think anything beyond earrings is unacceptable in class, probably not even a nose stud. You may be asked about your religion (even during the interview) but "no religion" is a perfectly acceptable answer if you don't want to explain specifics. |
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globalgirlk
Joined: 18 Jun 2008
Location: Livingston, La
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| Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 10:12 am Post subject: |
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[quote="comm"]The tattoo will need to be covered, they're considered signs of criminality... A wide and lightweight wristband would be fine I'm sure. I think anything beyond earrings is unacceptable in class, probably not even a nose stud. You may be asked about your religion (even during the interview) but "no religion" is a perfectly acceptable answer if you don't want to explain specifics.[/quote]
Thanks for the heads up. I can keep it covered with a wrist wrap. Would saying I'm Buddhist be acceptable? |
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Hokie21
Joined: 01 Mar 2011
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| Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 4:37 pm Post subject: |
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| globalgirlk wrote: |
| comm wrote: |
| The tattoo will need to be covered, they're considered signs of criminality... A wide and lightweight wristband would be fine I'm sure. I think anything beyond earrings is unacceptable in class, probably not even a nose stud. You may be asked about your religion (even during the interview) but "no religion" is a perfectly acceptable answer if you don't want to explain specifics. |
Thanks for the heads up. I can keep it covered with a wrist wrap. Would saying I'm Buddhist be acceptable? |
I don't think religion is that big of a deal. I've never had anyone ask me about my religious beliefs except for my foreign co-teachers trying to get me to come to their christian churches.
The tat's will have to be covered and facial piercings are not acceptable at work. Heck if a female doesn't cover her shoulders in public she risks getting shouted at or hit by an old woman. |
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comm
Joined: 22 Jun 2010
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| Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 5:23 pm Post subject: |
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| Hokie21 wrote: |
| The tat's will have to be covered and facial piercings are not acceptable at work. Heck if a female doesn't cover her shoulders in public she risks getting shouted at or hit by an old woman. |
But you're welcome to wear the shortest skirt you can find. |
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Hokie21
Joined: 01 Mar 2011
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| Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 5:56 pm Post subject: |
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| comm wrote: |
| Hokie21 wrote: |
| The tat's will have to be covered and facial piercings are not acceptable at work. Heck if a female doesn't cover her shoulders in public she risks getting shouted at or hit by an old woman. |
But you're welcome to wear the shortest skirt you can find. |
lol I know, I thought about mentioning that.
I still don't get it....but with the weather getting warmer I'm not really complaining. |
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Son Deureo!
Joined: 30 Apr 2003
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| Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 2:32 am Post subject: Re: Random questions about South Korea |
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| globalgirlk wrote: |
| Another question I have is regarding the Atheist and also the Pagan communities in South Korea. My guess would be to keep my beliefs to myself? |
The majority of Koreans describe themselves as non-religious, and the rest are roughly evenly split between Christianity (mostly Protestant) and Buddhism. When asked, I'm generally pretty straightforward about being an atheist, and Koreans rarely bat an eye. Many Koreans assume that all Americans/Westerners are Christian and are surprised to meet one who isn't, but that's about as far as it goes.
You'll probably get targeted by the occasional evangelical Christian nutjob, but that's not too difficult to deal with.
I'd say keep your beliefs to yourself at work, but that's a pretty good idea no matter where you are.
Likewise with tats and piercings, it's a good idea to keep them to yourself at work, but don't be shy about them anywhere else. It used to only be gangsters who wore tattoos, but the times are a' changin'. I'm seeing a lot of younger people with tattoos these days, and there's a tattoo and piercing shop right around the corner from me. |
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PatrickGHBusan
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -
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| Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 3:13 am Post subject: |
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| globalgirlk wrote: |
| comm wrote: |
| The tattoo will need to be covered, they're considered signs of criminality... A wide and lightweight wristband would be fine I'm sure. I think anything beyond earrings is unacceptable in class, probably not even a nose stud. You may be asked about your religion (even during the interview) but "no religion" is a perfectly acceptable answer if you don't want to explain specifics. |
Thanks for the heads up. I can keep it covered with a wrist wrap. Would saying I'm Buddhist be acceptable? |
No need to broadcast your religion to anyone. Keep it to yourself, it is afterall a personnal matter.
As for the rest, as was said covering the tattoo would be wise then again a bird on the inside of your wrist is no big deal.�As for piercings, I would limit them to earings if at all possible.
Good luck. |
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Unposter
Joined: 04 Jun 2006
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| Posted: Sun May 20, 2012 1:22 am Post subject: |
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While I don't disagree that covering tattoos and limiting piercings is the more conservative approach (and may even increase your chances of landing/keeping a job), I don't think it is necessary.
I have met teachers over here with tattoos and piercings.
Believe it or not, if you teach well (or atleast otherwise act normal), things like tattoos and piercings can be overlooked. But, don't be surprised (or even upset) if you get a lot of personal questions about it. Though, it can be a good conversation starter.
I think for the most part (there are always individual exceptions) Koreans are much more tolerant than the Dave's crowd gives them credit for. Curious? You bet. They will want to talk about it. But, intolerant? I am sure there are a handful but most aren't.
Now, if you are otherwise strange. Yes, it will bother them. And, you will find that students shun you and bosses will in turn want to fire you. Some people may blame it on their looks. But, nine times out of ten, it really is you.
Please take my advice for what it is worth - free! But, it really has been my fourteen years of experience. |
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Underwaterbob
Joined: 08 Jan 2005
Location: In Cognito
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| Posted: Sun May 20, 2012 3:34 pm Post subject: |
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Do you look Korean at all? Tattoos on a foreigner are a curiosity. Tattoos on a Korean, depending on their gender, mean they're either to be feared, or "used"...
I know of a female gyopo (Korean American) with a lot of a tattoos who did NOT enjoy her time in Korea. |
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fermentation
Joined: 22 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Sun May 20, 2012 3:52 pm Post subject: |
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| Tats used to be a sign that you're a gang member but nowadays I'm seeing more people with tats. It's usually young guys who're trying to look cool. Wherever you are, my opinion is that showing them off isn't something you do in a professional setting. |
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ayahyaha
Joined: 04 Apr 2011
Location: Seoul, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 4:19 am Post subject: |
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| Unposter wrote: |
While I don't disagree that covering tattoos and limiting piercings is the more conservative approach (and may even increase your chances of landing/keeping a job), I don't think it is necessary.
I have met teachers over here with tattoos and piercings. |
I agree completely with this. The other posts, while true for some schools (and maybe some locations in Korea), are definitely not true for all schools in all locations.
I have been teaching kids (private and public) successfully here for two years. I have:
-- two tattoos, one usually visible and one sometimes visible.
(Caveat: Both are sort of arty and not skulls n' roses or anything like that, so they're probably not that freaky.)
-- several earrings in each ear (including non-standard piercings)
-- a nose stud
| Quote: |
| Believe it or not, if you teach well (or atleast otherwise act normal), things like tattoos and piercings can be overlooked. But, don't be surprised (or even upset) if you get a lot of personal questions about it. Though, it can be a good conversation starter. |
This is also very true. People will stare a bit until they get used to it. The students (the younger, the more openly) will freak out and need to get a good look at it. It might sound gross, but I have taken my nose stud out so that my students could have a look, grasp the concept, and move on with their lives. Then they accept it as normal for a foreigner and class resumes.
As for your religion, I will be honest: 8 times out of 10, if someone asks (and they will) I just say that I was raised in a Christian family and leave it at that. (I'm not remotely religious.) It's not worth the hassle for me and it's mostly true.
There are Jehovah's Witnesses all over the place here. You can spit and hit a church. Most of my bosses, coworkers, and students have been Christian.
I think, in Korea, if you're not planning on a long-term (more than a few years) stay, it's better not to rock the boat most of the time. Once you get to know people better, use your judgement.
My two cents. |
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nero
Joined: 11 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 4:44 pm Post subject: |
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3 years here and no-one has asked about my religion. If they did, I would tell them I am not religious. It's no-one's business. Conversation end.
I have sleeves and I keep them covered for work as I would back home. We are professionals and I think showing your tatts at work is not acceptable, especially in Korea. Outside of work, however - your life, your business.
Really, don't over think it. At work = professional, outside work = do what you want. You don't have to explain yourself to anyone. |
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comm
Joined: 22 Jun 2010
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| Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 4:53 pm Post subject: |
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| nero wrote: |
| 3 years here and no-one has asked about my religion. If they did, I would tell them I am not religious. It's no-one's business. Conversation end. |
Pretty much this. |
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jenilyn8705
Joined: 02 Jun 2011
Location: US
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| Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 4:06 am Post subject: |
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| I've met a couple people that have an eyebrow piercing and/or some arm tattoo and they are working here. They wear the piercing and you can see it, but it's just not obvious... like, rather small in size. These are people with university job positions too, so obviously they got by and are successful with their work here regardless. |
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