Korean Job Discussion Forums

sunlit · Joined: 14 Apr 2003 Location: Ilsan

how bad/ curious/outrageous are the reactions and repercussions?

peppermint · Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2003 3:34 am Post subject:

LiquidSunshine · Joined: 31 Mar 2003

it all depends what you have as a tatt...a big fat dragon on your back probably wouldn't go over too well in a public shower or with the kiddies in the pool. it isn't that bad though. you probably wouldn't be rejected at the door for anything. some people may come and say something here and there but they do that either way. all to say that isn't that bad. especially with the whole hanna rage. it's a matte rof time before tatts get accepted.

The Man known as The Man · Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2003 2:54 pm Post subject:

In a few years, tatoo-removal is going to ba a big money maker. In North America, talk to most single guys in their mid to late 20's, and when they see tatts they think "sexually promiscuos".

I know its not fair. Life isn't fair.

When the teens and early 20-soemthings arent' married and those wanting to do as they apprach 30, the tatts will be a hindrance.

JackSarang · Joined: 28 Jan 2003

Ear piercings are generally a non-issue.

However, nose, eyebrow, lip, tongue will likely be unwelcome, unless your Director happens to be incredibly liberal.

Blue Flower · Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2003 2:31 am Post subject:

A few of my kids have seen my naval peircings, and it totally freaked them out. They seem to be very prudish over here. If they see my bra strap they act like something else is hanging out. I got a painted tattoo on my arm in Busan, and my kids were amazed over it. Kept touching it, etc, i can't even begin to imagine what they would do if it was real. ANd they said things like I was strong, and tough, etc, for having a picture on my arm! I think that here tattoos = mafia/gangster type people. Its up to you, but girls don't even wear singlets here, let alone have tattoos.

gilgamesh · Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2003 4:51 am Post subject:

I've got one on my shoulder, all it seems to have attracted is curiosity (not that it gets out that often..) at the gym and swimming once... maybe something a bit more extensive might be viewed differently...

kiwioutofthenest · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

well anytime a kid gets a peek at my tats they are amazed, you enter the rhelm of cool english teacher.....adults are probabally a different story....whenever i go to the gym they always sneek a peek but i think they find me quit threatening so dont bother to give me any shit.
I dont deliberatly let the kids see and when they do i get a bit embarassed as they already think i have a big hip, any flesh freaks them out....i remember one time i was teaching and a girl stood up walked over and pulled down my shirt as it had risen up and my stomach was showing....tell ya what i was mortified, now i try and keep behind my desk at all times....they really can screw with your head.

Embarassed

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

yeah,
I've had some fakes tats done and had teachers flip out over them. I would cover them if you have them and it's possible.

CLG

Korea Newfie · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Location: Newfoundland and Labrador

elizabethjane · Joined: 04 Jul 2003 Location: Suwon

Hi!
I have 34 piercings....in my ears.
I've gotten good and bad reactions.
My first boss had a problem with them until I came to school one day sporting an ear full of tiny diamond-like studs. She then said if any parents complained, I'd have to take them out.
I worked there for a year with absolutely no complaints.

On the streets, there are some stares..but I haven't really gotten any real negative comments. I'm in Newfoundland, Canada now...and honestly, I can say that the reaction in Newfoundland is far worse than that in a small town in Korea.

I have a new job now...my boss wants me to remove my earrings because he doesn't want to ruin the reputation of the school...

I guess it depends on the situation...

sunlit · Joined: 14 Apr 2003 Location: Ilsan

now that i'm in korea, i haven't gotten anything worse than stares. i've even been told that lotsa korean girls are getting small tats on their ankles. if you think about it tho, all the chicks have tattooed eyebrows.

Emma Clare · Joined: 24 May 2003 Location: Anseong, sung, song.

I have three tattoos (lower back, hip and shoulder) My friends were quite emphatic that I should keep them covered up, because only hookers and gangsters have tattoos in Korea (or something like that) They also told me that if the kids saw them they'd immediately ring up and complain to their parents. Unfortunately, wearing t-shirts, a couple of the kids soon saw the ones on my shoulder and back, but they just thought they were really cool and kept trying to show them off to all the other kids. I even had 4 girls ambush me and sit on me so they could hoist my sleeve up and show my tat off to the rest of the class.

I don't think adults will show quite the same adulation though....

gilgamesh · Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2003 4:26 pm Post subject:

I heard that tattooing as a practice is illegal in Korea... is this right?? I want to get another while I am here, so where is the best place to start looking??

peppermint · Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2003 4:59 pm Post subject:

I know of a guy who does them in Cheong ju, and I remember hearing about someone who does them in Seoul, they're expensive as hell though, and most people strongly recommend a trip to Japan for tattoos. Run a search here.