Appearances

Hello,
           My name is Wintermute and this is your Daily Dose of Dumbr in the Classroom. Some of you may be thinking of working in either Korea or Japan but not sure if you would be accepted for a position based off of your appearances. You might think that because they are Asian countries they are very laxed and light on their rules of display. You are wrong, truth be told they are quite strict and will remain so and have no plans to change. An old Japanese proverb states, “The nail that sticks up, gets hammered down.”

Tattoos: In Korea and Japan tattoos are commonly associated with gangs and their members such as the Yakuza. Brandishing even one tattoo is grounds for denial into almost any position. Of course you can cover up your tattoo, but I wouldn’t even mention the hidden ink scar to your employers. I have one on my back; I deny its existence on any paper work until well after my employment.  I feel I am not in the wrong as the tattoo is not visible so therefore needs no mention on paper.

Hairdo: Hair styles say a lot about you in Asia, more than anything your age and whether you are employed or not. If you are foreign working in Korea they are nowhere near as strict, I have seen Americans with multicolored mo hawks and still hold up a decent job. Japan on the other hand has a huge no color policy, and prefers to keep your hair simple and short, or for women, tied back.

Clothes: One of my favorite things about Asia is the public transportation drivers. Anywhere else in the world you will get a driver who has his neck beard hairs stuck in the zipper of his windbreaker jacket littered with nicotine stains and holes. In Asia on the other hand, they will be dressed in a suit and tie wearing gloves. If taxi drivers wear a suit and tie, what do you think the rest of the country wears? So come prepared and bring a wide variety of your best threads.

So I'll ask, do you think proper attire should be adorned for any given profession, or do you think we will reach an age where we no longer judge others based on how well kept they are? Once again thank you all for your continued support be sure to come back every day for more Dumbr!

The Fashion Police,

Wintermute