Korean Job Discussion Forums

kiwiboy_nz_99 · Joined: 05 Jul 2003 Location: ...Enlightenment...

Not many guys look good with a beard.

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Plastic B · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Daejeon no more

At my former hakwon there was actually a clause in my contract saying that it was forbidden to grow facial hair. I forgot about that clause, oddly enough, and grew a goatee. I was ordered to shave by the director's wife who told me...

"Korean people don't respect people with facial hair."

"But what about Kijng Sejong and all those other hairy kings?" I retorted.

"Yes, but that was in the past." Her only reply.

No arguing with that logic, I thought, and promptly shaved off my ~ rather dashing ~ tailored beard.

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

I don't think BTM will see this. he hasn't posted for over 4 months.

sadsac · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Gwangwang

I used to have a beard, but was advised when I first arrived that it was not an appropriate thing to have in Korea. Went hoem for 6 weeks in December and grew it back because it was too hot back in Oz and I didn't want to add to my wrinkles with too much sun. I hate shaving too. Smile

ryleeys · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Columbia, MD

Actually, before I came here I was told to shave off my beard be everyone; including my director, the recruiter, and my family. I told them all no... then once they grew to accept it, I shaved it.

I dunno, now I'm into that few days of growth look...

I guess I shouldn't say that I'm too lazy to shave... it's more that shaving sucks. Getting everything perfectly smooth without cutting yourself is a b*tch and a half... and my neck is always raw after shaving.

harpua · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: haebangchon

hhmmm.... this is something i've been wondering about. i'm on my way to korea in two weeks and i've been sporting a beard for almost two years now. i have heard that beards are far from the norm in korea and have been wondering if i should shave her off before i leave or what? i'm pretty attached to it (literally and figureatively) but that just may be what i end up doing...

ryleeys · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Columbia, MD

Keep it I say... I did and still got me a job.

I got some weird comments from my kids, but never any comments from adults.

Maybe it's good for Koreans to see a few different things every once in a while.

Zed · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Shakedown Street

I had a goatee for the first year and a half that I was here. I never had any problems. I shaved it off during the world cup just for a change and have kept it off since.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

I arrived with a moustache but shaved it off at the end of the first month. I was immediately sorry I did it, but kept shaving for a couple of years. At the time I was in a phase of respecting public attitudes.

After a couple of years I decided to grow it back. I didn't any longer feel the need to conform, I guess.

A bit after that, I decided I'd grow a beard. I've never had any complaints from bosses or students. Just some curiosity and questions about which is a moustache, which a beard and what are whiskers. And is the right word 'hair' or 'fur'? Shocked

Toby · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Location: Wedded Bliss

I was the other way. I had hair on my head until I shaved it off. It was off for two years. Great. But I let it grow back recently. Fiance prefers hair to hairless.

Khunopie · Posted: Sun May 02, 2004 7:52 pm Post subject:

I prefer the term "flavor saver"

Mercer Cheese · Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Location: Near Huntly

I have a small goatee - see avatar. More in jest than for any other reason.

On a side note - has anyone else here had trouble with hairdressers and facial hair? I once had a hairdresser in Incheon shave off my sideburns while I wasn't paying attention.

I was just sitting threre, humming, and then **BZZZZZZZZT!** one of them is gone! What was she thinking??!?!!??