Korean Job Discussion Forums

[FredDaSked]

The difference between the last job I had, up to March 2010, and my present, is that the students at the last school have never seen me with any facial hair at all, and my present students have never seen me without. These current students sure are interested in the fact of all that hair, and no wonder: I've never seen a real-life Korean male with enough growth to mention.

Adult staff at the school has never said anything, of course, but I wonder if it hasn't affected the perception--as so many things about foreigners do. I wonder because it's been two clean months since our 'open class' day, when relatively few parents (mothers) chose to sit in on my classes, and suddenly I'm hearing that old 'parents often get together and talk' diatribe. What have they had but the way I look to talk about?

So, since the school seems to be focusing on the way I teach recently, I conclude that if I were to shave clean, the pressure might be off them and, thus, me. But I'm not going to shave.

Am I imagining the concern? Can it affect my search for another job?

[thegadfly]

With my first job in Korea, I was hired with a fairly big mustache...kept it for 11 months of my first gig...shaved it off for some reason one night, and could not believe the positive attention I received, both from folks that had known me for 11 months and from folks that I just happened to meet on the street....

I would say that yes, facial hair does change the general perception of you, and yes, if you shaved it, you would probably catch less flack...doesn't mean you SHOULD shave, just that it probably would take some heat off of you....

I have never heard of anyone having an easier time getting a job because they have facial hair...nor have I ever heard of anyone asked to grow facial hair by their schools...I have, however, heard of schools asking teachers to shave, and I have heard folks that do the hiring comment negatively about applicants with facial hair....

You can certainly get a job without shaving your facial curlies, bet I would bet you a nickel that you would get more offers if you did shave....

You know, when I taught in a Texas public school (high school), teachers were not allowed to have a beard of any type, nor mutton chops, nor grow a mustache...if you came to work with a full-on mustache, however, you were allowed to keep it...so you had to either grow it over a break, or you had to be swarthy enough to have it pop out full force after the weekend (mine took Christmas break to come in...).

[oldfatfarang]

OP. Sorry to say, but we've been over this topic so many times on daves. Please take this advice in the spirit it is given.

Know this: no matter how many white boys come on daves trying to seek reassurance for their hairy facial manliness - beards do not go down well with Koreans - (especially Korean mothers, employers and fellow teachers). Many Asians believe that beards are for 'dirty people', and if you chose to wear one - you'll always be looked at askance.

There are two young native speakers in the schools surrounding mine. Both have the George Michael look - and I hear what the kids on the bus say about them. I also see the looks of disgust from some Korean adults.

Your decision - but don't expect Asian employers to think that 1/2 beards are trendy and that full beards are manly. They just think you're dirty.

Good luck.

[jvalmer]

I think I've only seen one young guy with a mustache in 5 years. If you're in your 20's no facial hair is the best. A mustache you may be get away with if you're middle aged. A beard is reserved for the gray haired generation, usually goatee style. If you don't look like you're well into your 50's then a beard will be viewed as dirty and people will say nasty things when you're not around.

[RMNC]

Beards are generally seen as being dirty.

They think that people who can't shave have an unkempt appearance, that of someone too poor to afford a razor and a bathroom (homeless) or they're someone who wants to hide their identity (sexual predators).

People that tell you that the Brad Pitt gruff or whatever is trendy and sexy (the George Michael look state before) are oblivious to the people around them making disgusted looks.

[corinthian]

I heard a ton of stuff on this board about how Koreans hate beards. Then I grew one and received nothing but positive responses. My kids at school love it. The Koreans at my Muay Thai gym love it. Some of my student's parents have complimented it. One random Korean guy on the subway told me he knew I had many girlfriends, because my beard was a sign of virility. (Ok, he didn't know the word virility, but he used some very emphatic pantomime.) And in general I've found that I just plain get treated better by Koreans, which may be because my beard makes me look much older.

Here's my theory: first of all, you have to be able to actually grow a beard. Lots of guys think that a few scraggly hairs qualifies, but it doesn't. Second, it needs to be well groomed. I trim mine every week, never let it get too long, and shave my neck/upper lip/cheekbones every couple days. Regardless, if your employer wants to shave it, you should probably do so. I told my co-teacher I'd shave if the bosses wanted me to, but they've never asked me.

[Radius]

my girlfriend loves the 2-.3 day stubble. says it makes me look (more) manly
but anything after 3 days starts looking, yea, poverish.

[drydell]

Although the 'koreans see beards as dirty'.. is true - there is a bit more to it than that...

You can see that facial hair is more common in the elite Korean artistic communities - actors, film directors, fashion designers etc...They are respected for being successful and influential.. and everyone knows that they are not dirty or poor... and these are the people who are seen as sophisticated and international.
What you won't to get is a regular salary-man with a big ol beard - the conservative sectors of society will be dragging along behind for some time yet..

The old cliche about Korea being 3 years behind Japan in various fashion trends has some truth to it though and I reckon beards will be making a comeback in the near future.

Having said that I think most Koreans do still see your average NET as a bit scruffy with a beard - but then again maybe the more beards we we grow then we can influence the beardy comeback revolution through cultural osmosis!!

[bbud656]

When I was looking for jobs I had a beard in my picture. I have a beard at my job. No one has said anything good or bad about it, in English at least. The only opinion that matters is that of my girlfriend and she says it stays.

[Slowmotion]

[Died By Bear]

When I was in Korea, the Koreans I met LOVED Dr. House (TV show). The women LOVED his beard, they thought it was SEXY.

It's really true. So go figure.

[jvalmer]

Where do people get this facial hair is sophisticated and elite thing from? It just means you don't want to shave or maybe don't have a suitable device to ease the cutting of facial hair.

Sophisticated my @ss.

[drama_addict]

I've worked at three different schools in Korea, and I've yet to meet a Korean who thinks ANY facial hair is sophisticated or sexy.

Every Korean I've met regards it as dirty/unclean or poor looking.

[Kurtz]

Sorry OP, this question gets the same responses, some say Koreans think it's dirty, some think it's OK, then there are the posse of amped up white boys who think Korean women dig it as they think girls like bad/rough boys and I'm sure a few of the blokes then try and grow one just to try and pick up.

My advice, if you wear one, keep it trimmed and short, I saw some fugly Western guy today with a dirty beard and I just felt like giving him a slap in the head, a shocking look.

[FredDaSked]

Korean guys vs. Western guys. Could that make all the difference. . .as with many other considerations?