Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Us in DC]

I will be arriving in SK in September and I shave my head. I do this because I am going bald anyway and it saves me the time and energy of having to deal with hair. I sent pictures of me with a shaved head to all the hagwons I have spoken with and no one has said anything. Is it acceptable? Does anyone have info on this?

[prosodic]

You might get teased about looking like a buddhist monk. As long as that doesn't bother you, then there's no problem.

[Sucker]

My first contract specifically said that I shouldn't shave my head. Don't know why.

Now, however, (working in a college) at least three of my coworkers have shaved heads. They don't seem to have any problems.

[Sucker]

Actually, one of my friends mentioned to me that he usually wears a hat because people tend to want to rub his shaved head.

[Zyzyfer]

I'm glad somebody likes shaved heads out there.

From my experience, it would be weird, but not a burden. The real challenge is finding some damn clippers...

[sparkx]

I brought clippers w/ me from home.

I look like Tom Hanks in "Philadelphia" when i take it down to the wood but my god does it feel great in the heat.

In the winter I always grow it out again which means that I actually have a chance of getting laid after a 4 month dry spell. Hummmm...no wonder all my illegitimate offspring are born in the summer and autumn.

[ZUL]

I'm glad to hear that it's acceptable to have a shaved head. I was worried I would stick out like a soar thumb. If the ladies don't like it then why waste the time with them, it's obvious they are not worthy.

[rapier]

[Swiss James]

[VanIslander]

So, Us in DC, did you come all shaved?

My hair has been a bit longer than usual this summer, and I've suffered for it. Dreams of cutting it all off have swirled around my head.

I hope the local barber will do it.

If I keep the resolve. The last time I did it I had a longterm girlfriend, so issues of meeting someone great the next day wasn't a factor, like with sparkx.

If I do, I can finally wear one of the ridiculous ski caps I brought before I realized it doesn't get cold enough to snow here on the island (at least not the last two winters).

[kermo]

Don't worry your gleaming little head about it.
I've always thought bald heads are pretty sexy.
I don't know how the Korean girls feel, though, and their vote probably counts for more.

[ajstew]

I came to Korea with a shaved head a couple of years ago. It was supposed to be okay with the hagwon owner, but that didn't stop him from asking me if I could grow it out a little when I got off the plane. I didn't though. I started work and the owner and children ended up loving me. I bet the owner felt silly ever asking me now. I've since moved on to a university position too, and have yet to have a problem in the work place.

As for korean women, I really believe that some women like it and some do not. Reasons for liking it one way or the other could be because they think I'm military, especially in Hongdae. On the other hand, girls who go out to Hongdae, in my opinion, are a different breed from those who I teach at my university in my quieter town. I'd say the interest, or crush level of students at my university, is quite high. I'd say it's due to the fact that they know me better, and they're not the clubbing type, which may not make them quite as shallow. Just my feelings though.

[HamuHamu]

The worst is that the kids will scream "Ahhhh Demori Baekbaeki !!!" ("BALD!")

Actually....the adults have been known to point and say the same thing when walking down the street...

[Juggertha]

I have known adults here to say that it looks like the person is a criminal though. take that for what its worth.

[Son Deureo!]

For reasons unknown to me, 5 mof my male foreign co-workers shave their heads on a regular basis. They don't seem to be having any problems.