Korean Job Discussion Forums

Baffle · Joined: 17 Apr 2007

Hi guys.

I'm planning to come over from London soon, and I was wondering what image a shaved head on a man would convey over there, i.e. using clippers all over.

I fancy doing mine for the summer, but I don't want to be seen as a skinhead or hard man if I'm starting as a high school teacher...

swetepete · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Location: a limp little burg

I'd guess they'll call you 'Zidane' but they won't read anything into it politically.

twg · Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Location: Getting some fresh air...

They don't care. Well, the kids may giggle and the adults may want you to sport lovely flowing locks, but generally, no one will care

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

Probably just assume you had a lice infestation.

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

I've never had anyone comment about the fact I have a shaved head. My friend who has it shaved all the way down to the scalp gets Zidane comments from his students, but that's about it.

It's not like western countries where people will look at you and shout "Skinhead!" and come after you.

beachbumNC · Joined: 30 May 2007 Location: Gumi

i have a shaved head. four different Korean girls at the bar i went to last night wanted to rub it.

of course i let them.

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

Koreans shave their head generally for two reasons: to protest or for religious reasons.

My friend gets questioned about his buzz cut from time to time, they ask if it is for religious reasons.

A few people may think you are in the military and may assume you are a US soldier (who rapes old women and cab drivers).

PeteJB · Joined: 06 Jul 2007

Just say your a monk if theres any eyebrows raised. Problem solved.

shifter2009 · Joined: 03 Sep 2006 Location: wisconsin

My budy has his head shaved. Gets asked if he is a monk alot. He wears a hat often to avoid that question. Other than that its no biggie.

Vancouver · Joined: 12 Dec 2006

DCJames · Joined: 27 Jul 2006

They think you're a loser going bald and are trying to shave your head to cover this fact up.

kimchi_pizza · Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2007 5:59 pm Post subject:

Nah, shaved heads aren't all that big of a deal here. It's facial growth that you gotta becareful of. I like to grow a beard during the winter, but I caught so much slack and, "You look tired." I gave it up.

faster · Joined: 03 Sep 2006

It comes up whenever there's a big flare-up of US army-hate. I was shaved when I came here, and the tank-running-over-the-two-girls incident happened soon after. At that time I was definitely not comfortable, so I've had hair ever since, pretty much.

beachbumNC · Joined: 30 May 2007 Location: Gumi

Scouse Mouse · Joined: 07 Jan 2007 Location: Cloud #9

I have a shaved head and am ALWAYS asked if I am military because of it. Once you tell people you are not even American, let alone military, they are just fine with it. ("Yonguk saram" will become a favoured phrase).

One of the first questions I was asked at my public school was my religion. When I told them I had no religion, they asked about the hair. I just told them that I have shaved it for 10 years and have no plans to let it grow. My principal is conservative, yet very understanding. He has mentioned it a few times since, but I think it is becasue he genuinely doesn't understand why it is shaved, rather than it being problematic.

In my first week, there was at least one kid in every class who asked about it. Now, if I get lazy and don't cut it for a few weeks they think I am growing the generic K-cut. As soon as that gets mentioned to me, I know it is too long!