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Josh_Puppet
Joined: 03 Mar 2014
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 Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 2:34 am Post subject: Swimming in Korea with Tattoos |
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Hi,
I'm hoping someone can help me. I'm heading over to Korea soon (probably Seoul but not confirmed yet) and I'm quite an avid swimmer (indoor usually), whilst having a fair number of tattoo's (coverable by clothes).
I'm aware of the stigma attached to tattoo's in Korea, and was wondering would it even be possible for me to use public swimming baths whilst I'm there? |
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le-paul
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
Location: dans la chambre
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| Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 3:27 am Post subject: |
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Korea are not as prejudice to tattoos as they were, and even then, they were a specific type of tattoo (fish on your leg etc.). Most people know that foreigners have tattoos, shave their heads and grow beards - all things that were traditionally related to specific things.
If they don't like it,in an extreme case they'll just ban you or suggest you cover up but at worst, you'll probably just get a few strange looks. |
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Rutherford
Joined: 31 Jul 2007
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| Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 3:46 am Post subject: |
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| Just to be safe you should swim in a full wetsuit. |
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Fox
Joined: 04 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 3:49 am Post subject: Re: Swimming in Korea with Tattoos |
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| Josh_Puppet wrote: |
Hi,
I'm hoping someone can help me. I'm heading over to Korea soon (probably Seoul but not confirmed yet) and I'm quite an avid swimmer (indoor usually), whilst having a fair number of tattoo's (coverable by clothes).
I'm aware of the stigma attached to tattoo's in Korea, and was wondering would it even be possible for me to use public swimming baths whilst I'm there? |
If my barber can earn a living with tattoo covered arms constantly exposed due to his sleeves being rolled up all the time, I'm pretty sure you can get away with going for a swim while tattooed. |
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Josh_Puppet
Joined: 03 Mar 2014
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| Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 3:57 am Post subject: |
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| Thanks for the quick replies and for the reassurance. Seriously can't wait to just get over there now! |
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schwa
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Yap
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| Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 4:15 am Post subject: |
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| I often see Koreans with extensive tattoos at the pool or the spa. I wouldnt worry about it. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 4:43 am Post subject: |
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12 years in and I have never had an issue going swimming, to the baths or saunas with my tats showing.
. |
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caniff
Joined: 03 Feb 2004
Location: All over the map
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| Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 5:21 am Post subject: |
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Do you still like your tattoos? Would you do it again if you had a time machine?
I've seen some interesting ink, but nothing I'd wanna have forever.
To each their own. |
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Stan Rogers
Joined: 20 Aug 2010
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| Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 5:44 am Post subject: |
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| Gangsters quite often have many tatoos. Many Koreans think tatoos are unprofessional, even if you're a foreigner. I wouldn't show them off at work. |
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Josh_Puppet
Joined: 03 Mar 2014
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| Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 6:33 am Post subject: |
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| Stan Rogers wrote: |
| Gangsters quite often have many tatoos. Many Koreans think tatoos are unprofessional, even if you're a foreigner. I wouldn't show them off at work. |
I wasn't planning on that, don't worry. |
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Lucas
Joined: 11 Sep 2012
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wanderkind
Joined: 01 Jan 2012
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 6:25 pm Post subject: Re: Swimming in Korea with Tattoos |
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| Josh_Puppet wrote: |
Hi,
I'm hoping someone can help me. I'm heading over to Korea soon (probably Seoul but not confirmed yet) and I'm quite an avid swimmer (indoor usually), whilst having a fair number of tattoo's (coverable by clothes).
I'm aware of the stigma attached to tattoo's in Korea, and was wondering would it even be possible for me to use public swimming baths whilst I'm there? |
Just a heads up, if swimming is really important to you, finding a suitable pool may be the bigger concern rather than tattoos. I may have just had bad luck, but all the pools I've tried visiting have been quite small, and crammed full of people (even at 6am and 10pm! Space is at a premium, so I guess it makes sense, but  ). Queues at either end of the pool waiting to do a single lap. I love swimming, so I still go once or twice a week, but since it's hard to finish more than 1 or 2 laps uninterrupted I've yet to manage a decent workout.
If you live near a big uni you may have better luck. / if you end up in Seoul someone on here may be able to point you towards a good facility |
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andrewchon
Joined: 16 Nov 2008
Location: Back in Oz. Living in ISIS Aust.
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| Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2014 1:53 am Post subject: |
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Tattoo are OK.
You must wear a swimming cap if you want to swim in a pool in Korea.  |
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byrddogs
Joined: 19 Jun 2009
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2014 3:25 am Post subject: |
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Like 'chon said; better get yourself a swimming cap and possibly a Speedo. That will set you up right. If doing any 'sport' or activity it's of the utmost importance to look the part.
For your ink, I've no idea what the feelings are there these days about that. |
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Underwaterbob
Joined: 08 Jan 2005
Location: In Cognito
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| Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 6:28 pm Post subject: |
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| Don't worry, they won't wash off. |
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