Hair lenght
 

I was wondering about one thing: does the fact that I'm long haired guy would work against me in Japan? Is it harder for males with long hair to get jobs like ALT's or to generally be trusted by employers? I know this sound like a stupid question but it bothers me a bit.

Depends on the employer but yes, there is a dress code for most companies which require men to have their hair a certain length.

I've got long blonde hair, and it never gave me any problems, but I'm sure there are some companies which require a certain style, clothing and outfit that won't be happy with that...

If you wanna work as a teacher, I would imagine they will be pretty strict about not allowing long hair because you are dealing directly with the customers...

Thanks for the replies everyone.
I really wouldn't want to cut my hair short, but if it would be a condition to get a job in japan I would do it. But I thought that maybe my long hair wouldn't be a problem since one of the ALT's jobs is to introduce different cultures and living styles to students, but I guess it really depends on the employers opinion alone. I also thought that the fact that I'm a long haired caucasian bishonen type would maybe make it easier to find jobs in clubs and restaurants for women ^_^

BTW Cyclamen are you a teacher?

I don't think it's a matter of length but how it is styled.

First of all sorry to dig up such an old thread, but in accordance with the posting guide lines, I thought it may be better than starting a new one.

I'm hoping to find work as an ALT, once I have my BA. However, I am a male with long hair (more than half a foot past my shoulder). If it came to it, I would cut my hair to get work in Japan, but I'd rather not if possible.

What I would like to know is, are there any long-haired males here, who've managed to find teaching work by just keeping their hair neat and in a pony tail?

If so was it hard or did you find it relatively easy to get a job?

I knew at least one ALT on JET who had long hair he kept in a ponytail for work. So yes, it is possible.

Thanks MMM, that's good to know. I dread the possibility of having to get rid of my precious locks ;)

He was hired out of Australia...I hope that doesn't make a difference.

Just be up front about the fact that it is part of who you are. That having long hair comes as part of the package.

Honestly, all of the hairstyles I see for most of my fellow teachers and students look exactly the same. Obviously for older students and teachers, it is pretty easy to tell the two apart, but for ichinensei (seventh graders)? I swear, sometimes I have to check who is wearing a skirt and who is wearing pants (the shirt/tie/jacket is the same) to be able to know if the student is male or female until I come to really know the student. The fact that girls are allowed to wear pants if they so wish (which I applaud, yay, Fukuchiyama, now if only the boys could wear skirts if they so wished :D) can make this method of identification misleading. Almost all the male teachers all have hair much, much longer than the norm for most work environments, especially the younger ones. And, of course, everyone looks significantly shaggy to my Navy-trained eyes!

Honestly, I don't think it'll be a problem. I do all sorts of "wacky" things, by both Japanese and by American standards, but I never attempted to hide my personality, and the Japanese have been great about taking me as an individual. I think they give gaikokujin a lot more leeway than they ever would a Japanese person, because they realise that all they really know is stereotypes, so they don't know the standards by which you should be judged.

In that way, I feel much freer to express my personality than I ever did in America.