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Korean Job Discussion Forums "The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
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Zyzyfer

Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Location: who, what, where, when, why, how?
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Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2013 9:09 pm Post subject: |
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| misher wrote: |
| I met some guys that worked at WSI. A lot of them wore at the very least a shirt and slacks. Many wore suits. |
Teaching adults generally requires a tie and slacks. YBM, Pagoda, WSI, etc...
As for dressing up for kindy classes, I'm in the overkill camp on that. The staff probably dig seeing the teach' dress up, but I don't imagine the kids care one bit. |
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young_clinton
Joined: 09 Sep 2009
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Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2013 9:46 pm Post subject: |
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| I'm not dressing to fit into the cog of a machine, unless of course I have to. How can dress make a difference in teaching? You always want to look nice though, shaved, clean clothes not excessively tattered. Teachers are not business men and should dress like teachers. |
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Waygeek
Joined: 27 Feb 2013
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Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2013 11:49 pm Post subject: Re: Gordon Gekko-dressing ESLers |
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| toby99 wrote: |
A good number of expats in Korea dress like complete slobs.
That said, I've noticed a fair number that seem to actually overdress (or at least dress very well) to their teaching jobs. For example, I know a guy in his early 30's teaching kindergarten in a hagwon. He wears a nice, expensive-looking suit everyday, nice tie, hair slicked back ala Gordon Gekko, pricey watch, a few rings, and nicely polished dress shoes.
Now I'm not gonna slam anyone for dressing up for work, especially not in this line of work. But does anyone else know of expats who dress like they're working on Wall Street at their hagwon jobs? I know of a few others who also suit up everyday.
Link to Gekko for those who don't know:
http://www.inquisitr.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/gordon-gekko.jpg |
How about, you just mind your own business? |
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Seoulman69
Joined: 14 Dec 2009
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Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2013 12:05 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| The staff probably dig seeing the teach' dress up |
Increasing the chance of getting love from the staff. Clever move. |
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yellowdove
Joined: 19 Aug 2009
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Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2013 5:36 am Post subject: |
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As a female teaching kindy, if I wore a dress and heels every day I couldn't do HALF the things I do properly. Arts and crafts with glitter - nope. Sitting on the mat and playing games with them - nope. Teaching gym class - nope. For example, tomorrow we're making country flags with various art supplies, then going and painting a mural somewhere near Jamsil station. I will for sure be wearing older clothes tomorrow.
I LOVE my job, I love teaching the little ones (I mean, it is what I went to school for) but if I was teaching kindy in North America I wouldn't dress up there, and I shouldn't have to dress up here either.
I don't look like a slob, I put make up on and make myself look presentable, but I'm not about to dress like I'm going out on the town. |
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happiness
Joined: 04 Sep 2010
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Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 5:05 pm Post subject: |
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I always dress stylishly and appropriate, I dig clothes, but a suit? When I hear about someone who wants to suit up for kindie, thats someone who wants to show off, in their own mind.
When I did a kindie gig, I wore some nice khakis and a ralph lauren polo for a summer parents meetup. The boss and manager both said I should dress like that everyday. I told them when all the kindie teachers dress up everyday and you turn on the air conditioner will I do it. I still dressed very nicely everyday anyway. Some people are never satisfied.
but I agree, you should have some nice polos and clean pants. itll do alot for you. |
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hiamnotcool
Joined: 06 Feb 2012
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Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 6:41 pm Post subject: Re: Gordon Gekko-dressing ESLers |
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| toby99 wrote: |
A good number of expats in Korea dress like complete slobs.
That said, I've noticed a fair number that seem to actually overdress (or at least dress very well) to their teaching jobs. For example, I know a guy in his early 30's teaching kindergarten in a hagwon. He wears a nice, expensive-looking suit everyday, nice tie, hair slicked back ala Gordon Gekko, pricey watch, a few rings, and nicely polished dress shoes.
Now I'm not gonna slam anyone for dressing up for work, especially not in this line of work. But does anyone else know of expats who dress like they're working on Wall Street at their hagwon jobs? I know of a few others who also suit up everyday.
Link to Gekko for those who don't know:
http://www.inquisitr.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/gordon-gekko.jpg |
Whether it's overkill or not really depends on the dress code. I have seen a few ESL teachers who dress way more upscale than I would expect an ESL teacher to dress. That doesn't really bother me though. What bothers me is the people that are college graduates who are still trying to skirt the rules a hakwon or school sets for clothes. These are the people that show up with disheveled hair, wrinkled ties, and untucked shirts. They dress the bare minimum and while they think they look like they are too cool or whatever, they actually look like immature kids who never learned how to dress without their mother. Take the dress code seriously, if they ask you to wear a tie, go out and buy a few nice ties, shirts, and pants and learn to fit them properly so you don't look like an idiot. Trying to rebel against a dress code when you are out of highschool only makes you look stupid and unprofessional. Gordon Gecko is wearing a shirt and tie and pants right? Maybe a coat? I would ask the guy how much he spends on clothes, if he is going into debt trying to look like something he is not then he needs to re think his approach. If he is spending just as much or a little more than his peers than he is just a smart shopper that is getting more bang for his buck.
Dressing well is a learned habit, it's good to practice regardless of your profession. It isn't always expensive either, and sometimes it is a matter of being respectful rather than showing off.
Don't be afraid to look professional out there.
If there is no dress code then disregard what I just said though. |
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augustine
Joined: 08 Sep 2012 Location: México
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Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 7:59 pm Post subject: |
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| I always wear suspenders and a gold watch, ring, and bracelet to work. Not really, but, I have to say that part of the reason why I haven't had a job where I'm on site for more than 4 hours a days in the last year plus is because I always show up in slacks, dress shoes, and nice shirts; the other part is due to me looking like a (much much) young(er) Michael Douglas, like 80 years ago. I usually untuck my shirt early on in the day because I'm in a separate after school building and on most days the only other person in the building is my CT down the hall, so I don't know who the hell would ever really care or notice. |
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No_hite_pls
Joined: 05 Mar 2007 Location: Don't hate me because I'm right
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Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 11:35 pm Post subject: |
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There is an old saying; don't dress for the job you have, dress for the job you want.
I usually dress pretty nice; suit jacket, suit pants, and button down shirt but this time of year it's just too damn hot to wear any kind of jacket or tie. No more suits for me until at least late September.
Last edited by No_hite_pls on Tue Jun 18, 2013 5:25 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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big_fella1
Joined: 08 Dec 2005
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Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 12:14 am Post subject: Re: Gordon Gekko-dressing ESLers |
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| hiamnotcool wrote: |
| toby99 wrote: |
A good number of expats in Korea dress like complete slobs.
That said, I've noticed a fair number that seem to actually overdress (or at least dress very well) to their teaching jobs. For example, I know a guy in his early 30's teaching kindergarten in a hagwon. He wears a nice, expensive-looking suit everyday, nice tie, hair slicked back ala Gordon Gekko, pricey watch, a few rings, and nicely polished dress shoes.
Now I'm not gonna slam anyone for dressing up for work, especially not in this line of work. But does anyone else know of expats who dress like they're working on Wall Street at their hagwon jobs? I know of a few others who also suit up everyday.
Link to Gekko for those who don't know:
http://www.inquisitr.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/gordon-gekko.jpg |
Whether it's overkill or not really depends on the dress code. I have seen a few ESL teachers who dress way more upscale than I would expect an ESL teacher to dress. That doesn't really bother me though. What bothers me is the people that are college graduates who are still trying to skirt the rules a hakwon or school sets for clothes. These are the people that show up with disheveled hair, wrinkled ties, and untucked shirts. They dress the bare minimum and while they think they look like they are too cool or whatever, they actually look like immature kids who never learned how to dress without their mother. Take the dress code seriously, if they ask you to wear a tie, go out and buy a few nice ties, shirts, and pants and learn to fit them properly so you don't look like an idiot. Trying to rebel against a dress code when you are out of highschool only makes you look stupid and unprofessional. Gordon Gecko is wearing a shirt and tie and pants right? Maybe a coat? I would ask the guy how much he spends on clothes, if he is going into debt trying to look like something he is not then he needs to re think his approach. If he is spending just as much or a little more than his peers than he is just a smart shopper that is getting more bang for his buck.
Dressing well is a learned habit, it's good to practice regardless of your profession. It isn't always expensive either, and sometimes it is a matter of being respectful rather than showing off.
Don't be afraid to look professional out there.
If there is no dress code then disregard what I just said though. |
I love to wear suits and ties, but I don't respect hagwons putting teachers in ties in summer. Seriously even the previous president was seen sans tie in the summer months and I haven't seen the new president in one.
When I was young in Australia men would wear shorts with long socks in summer, now that was a fashion statement!!!!
OP how do you feel about safari suits on ESL teachers? I have a lovely light brown one with dark brown highlights that the ladies love  |
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Beeyee

Joined: 29 May 2007
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Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 12:41 am Post subject: |
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In this society, where looks are so important, I feel it foolish not to try and dress as best as one can.
I always wear a shirt, tie and dress pants for work. I find that it helps to perpetuate an image of yourself as a professional, hard working employee, regardless of whether that is true or not.
I've also found that the students will treat you with more respect if you look the part.
To me it is a no brainer. |
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No_hite_pls
Joined: 05 Mar 2007 Location: Don't hate me because I'm right
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Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 3:20 am Post subject: |
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| Beeyee wrote: |
In this society, where looks are so important, I feel it foolish not to try and dress as best as one can.
I've also found that the students will treat you with more respect if you look the part.
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two great points |
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PatrickGHBusan
Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -
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Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 3:40 am Post subject: |
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Wearing a suit to teach kindergarten seems to me like asking for trouble for the suit!
By all means dress well for work but overdoing it may not be your best bet! |
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big_fella1
Joined: 08 Dec 2005
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Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 4:12 am Post subject: |
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| No_hite_pls wrote: |
| Beeyee wrote: |
In this society, where looks are so important, I feel it foolish not to try and dress as best as one can.
I've also found that the students will treat you with more respect if you look the part.
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two great points |
I disagree and I've taught all levels, although I admit I only lasted 3 weeks teaching kindergarten.
I always wear suits and ties except for summer and in my experience I got more respect as a thin teacher in shorts than I get as a fat teacher in a suit.
If you think they're judging your clothes unless you're tacky enough to leave the label on the sleeve, I think you are mistaken.
Popular luxury brands in Korea tend to the mediocre brands back home. Seriously a Hugo Boss suit, they haven't done any great work since the uniforms for World War II despite how they were misused.
Zenga on the other hand is almost unknown.
No I'm not saying Zegna is the best, but a suit taylored in Zenga cloth will do me fine, the only slight problem is affording a 10 million won suit on a teachers salary, but if you're getting the respect it should translate to dollars.
As far as ties in summer, especially with short sleeve shirts, that just screams I have no idea how to dress. |
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nicwr2002
Joined: 17 Aug 2011
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Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 4:56 am Post subject: |
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| Wearing a suit every now and then is good, but I don't see the necessity to wear a suit everyday. College professor don't even wear suits most of the time. I like to wear suits, but I find them uncomfortable while trying to teach. That being said, I usually wear a collared button up shirt/polo and jeans. |
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