Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Blue Cheer]

Hello all,

I was informed today that I should cut my beard because in Korea having any sort of facial hair is considered un-professional. Now, ever since I came here many moons ago I've played the "look professional" bit to a "T." I never wear the earings at school, dress in the most boring teacher uniforms I can find and the rest of it, and yes, I have almost always shaved. However, these past few months I just wanted to take a break from the early morning habits. All of the other teachers have been on holiday since December and I've had to work so I decided to take a no shaving holiday since I can't take a real one.
I was a little angry because I'm as Confucian as a boy can be when outside, I'm even more Confucian at school. I dress conservatively, bow, eat what the others eat, do whatever is asked of me and well, you get the picture. Instead of keeping this anger inside I've decided to do something about it. During my last month at the school when all of the teachers are on holiday and I'm teaching, I'm going to grow a mountain man beard, put all of the earings back and wear a sleeveless shirt to show my gorgeous tattoos. Then I'm going to bring my guitar to school and teach the kids some great inspirational songs written and performed by all of those terrible long haired tattood smelly brutes that I love so much. Then I'm going to bring in some pictures of the most brutal men who have ever walked the earth and inform the kids that just because a man wears a suit and is clean cut doesn't mean he's a good man. What do you think?

[Wangja]

Wear hanbok from the Shilla dynasty complete with the necessary beard.

[Demophobe]

You should post where you work so someone can fill your shoes quickly when they "let you go".

[inspector gadget]

wangja,

nice, very nice, that may be the best suggestion i have heard on this forum since i have been back on the rock. nothing but a tribut i say.

awesome idea.

[VanIslander]

Between halloween and christmas I grew a mountain man beard, very impressively bushy, and it was accompanied by a shaved head.

My co-workers and director complimented me on the look.

Many of my young students did too.

Though the oldest men in my few adult classes kept asking why and wanting to know my motivation in detail (the narrow minded middle aged Korean men).

Since christmas I've shaved everyday and am growing hair back on top of my head and... my director and his wife said they thought I looked better with a beard and being bald! some of my students think so too.

Though, of course, not the older Korean male students...

[laogaiguk]

Have you ever seen a Chinese man with a mole and long hair coming from it? It's apparently a sign of wisdom or something to let the hair grow long. Or the long pinky finger nail (I don't know the reasoning). Now some Chinese people don't like it, but to most it is just like if we see someone walking around with a bald head and a large beard (not too often back home, but nothing too out of the ordinary). To most of us (I am assuming, but I am pretty sure of this assumption), the mole thing is actually sort of disgusting. I am sure most Westerners would agree (anyone who wishes to disagree can, but I won't beleive you ). This is no different than Koreans thinking shaving your head and growing a long beard is weird (and being curious about it).
Discriminating because of it is wrong though, and should not be tolerated. But the curiousity is nothing special or different from US.

[Njord]

[jacl]

It'd be funnier to go in with a tank top every day with pink shorts and hiking boots with no socks carrying a lunch box.

One day, go in with no shirt at all, jeans and bare feet carrying your guitar. When your boss confronts you, just say "No shirt, no shoes, no problem".

[jacl]

[inspector gadget]

I too will change my apperance substantially when the hot temps arise. Gone will, be the long hair and clean shaven face. Shaved head and a gottee will be the norm for me. Comfort is the most important thing in my books and I noticed no air con in my public school.

Bring on the clippers in a month or so, along with the shocked look of both teachers and students.

Looking forward to it actually, no hair = low maintenance. Good luck with your ventures defiying the norm, traditional dress and beard would be ideal. I can't think of absolutely anything derogatory they could say to you.

Just do it

[inspector gadget]

I forgot, make sure if you do the traditional dress get one of those wide brim black mesh hats, that would be the icing on the cake. Also take a pic and post it here

[Bulsajo]

[BigBuds]

[kermo]

[philthy]