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I'm considering taking a position teaching english in South Korea. I have heard that they are very image-conscious and that long hair on a man might be considered unprofessional. Does anyone here have any first hand experience in South Korea? Are there any cultural stereotypes about longhaired men over there?
Does anyone specifically have any experience teaching English in South Korea? If you wouldn't mind telling me about it I would really appreciate it. Please email me at tantalumalloy73@yahoo.com.
Thanks.
I was in South Korea for a little over a year back in the mid 90's.. You don't see long hair except on a few of the women. Most everyone keeps their hair short over there. Now while thier culture sways toward short hair, they seem to be fascinated by an American with long hair. Not sure what that world is like now but that was my experience! Good Luck!
Tom
Did you have long hair while you were there? I've heard that Koreans will strike up conversations with Americans just to practice their English and because of the novelty of an American over there? What was your experience like?
Thanks
I was in the military at the time but did have the top long enough to reach my chin.. An American friend of mine that lived there had mid back length hair and we had a lot of positive attention while in Seoul. Novelty was a good word for it. If I was to goto Korea for a professional job, and things haven't changed since I was there, I wouldn't worry too much about my hair being waist length if that helps you any.
Tom
I lived in Seoul, Korea for 3 years and I had a teacher that had long hair. What he did was he put it in a pony tail and the base of the neck and straightened the pony tail itself with a straightener. This seemed to look very proffesional to me and to everyone else as well. I'll never forget him either, he was my favorite teacher. I think kids that have a male teacher with long hair makes teaching and classes more interesting per say... if anyone knows how I mean.
Anyways, if you can, put it in a ponytail and have a form of facial hair (goatee, mustache, sideburns, etc.) and you are good to go.
**btw, you don't have to have facial hair, but it usually pronounces the masculinity you have.
Take care and enjoy Korea as much as I did... Take pictures and post them on here sometime!!!!
Thanks for the tips. I don't think I'll have any problems looking masculine, I'm 6'5" and I have pretty broad shoulders. I don't expect to see anyone bigger than me the entire time I'm there :-).
Any tips on what sights to see or places to go?
You will have to explore for yourself. It's New York but oriental style. Hahaha, yeah you are 6'5''?! You are going to be quite fine. In fact, people are short there... lol When I was 13 I was taller than the average Korean Male. Some buildings are specifically made for shorter people so it'll be interesting when you go through some of those buildings. The food there is amazing. Go to the restaraunts that have you take your shoes off and sit indian style on the floor--it's heated floors by the way... lol!!! I'm not going to spoil it for you. There are many many sights there and make sure you go up to the DMZ to see where Korea is sectioned off in half from north to south. It's such a sad sight to see North Korea... it's so desolate and bare. Anyways, see ya later dude and take care. ;)
Tips in general would be..
See anything and everthing - There is A LOT!
The food is very good but can be VERY SPICY!
Don't eat Kagogee - That's dog
Bullgogee is beef
Pagogee is pork
and Yaki-man-do is really GOOD
Ah-she-ma (Oshema) is a Married woman
Ah-guh-she (Ogashee) is a unmarried woman / girl
Ah-duh-she (Odashee) is any male
Itawahn is Seouls night club town
Shopping is a lot of fun but most of the products are fake/immitation.. lol
The culture is obviously very different and Korean's have a very strong work ethic.
I enjoyed my time there and sometimes wish I could go back!
Hope this helps,
Tom