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I am beginning to pack up our things for our upcoming move to Chengdu, and I am wondering what sort of clothing I should bring. I’ll be working in a professional environment at a business language center as a teacher. As a teacher in the United States, the dress code tends to be pretty casual, but I understand things are a little more formal in China? I used to work in a law office; is that level of dress more appropriate for a Chinese business place? Skirt/pant suits, blouses and heels, etc? Or is it a more casual slacks/sweaters sort of dress? What is your experience? Also, what is expected of men in similar fields?
I’d say smart casual or casual would do. You see a lot of very sharply dressed people on the street here, though. For men, the same should go I guess, depending on the company and the level. I’ve even seen men show up in their work overall on a gala dinner party, where I myself felt completely overdressed in my nice evening dress while the other women were wearing their winter coats and woolen hats because of the cold… A friend once was invited to a business dinner in a spa, and people thought it was very weird she would not buy a bathing suit at the reception desk to join in the fun… Once I wore a pant suit to a meeting and people were intimidated by it, thought I was the director of some expensive business or so.
I’d say smart casual or casual would do. You see a lot of very sharply dressed people on the street here, though. For men, the same should go I guess, depending on the company and the level. I’ve even seen men show up in their work overall on a gala dinner party, where I myself felt completely overdressed in my nice evening dress while the other women were wearing their winter coats and woolen hats because of the cold… A friend once was invited to a business dinner in a spa, and people thought it was very weird she would not buy a bathing suit at the reception desk to join in the fun… Once I wore a pant suit to a meeting and people were intimidated by it, thought I was the director of some expensive business or so.
Good one guys… Speaking from a woman’s point of view, I’d suggest you have the right idea with dressing more formally, as you mentioned. I see lots of women who are dressed in pant or skirt suits wearing flats, but women are into SHOES here! From high heeled outrageously fun shoes to your standard sedate pump, they’ve got em. The women I see are very nicely dressed. If you’re working in a business environment and want to be taken seriously, then you’ll have better luck dressing the part. It’s always easier to get more casual, if you find that’s what’s acceptable and more comfortable. Having taught in many different situations other places,that’s my two cents worth anyway.
Good one guys… Speaking from a woman’s point of view, I’d suggest you have the right idea with dressing more formally, as you mentioned. I see lots of women who are dressed in pant or skirt suits wearing flats, but women are into SHOES here! From high heeled outrageously fun shoes to your standard sedate pump, they’ve got em. The women I see are very nicely dressed. If you’re working in a business environment and want to be taken seriously, then you’ll have better luck dressing the part. It’s always easier to get more casual, if you find that’s what’s acceptable and more comfortable. Having taught in many different situations other places,that’s my two cents worth anyway.
I’d also add, it probably makes a difference if you’ll be teaching a group or teaching as a private tutor. As a tutor, you could probably be more casual.
I’d also add, it probably makes a difference if you’ll be teaching a group or teaching as a private tutor. As a tutor, you could probably be more casual.
Quote:business language centerWinter/Autumn: Chinchilla
Spring: Less Chinchilla
Summer: Lace
Feel free to mix & match.
Quote:business language centerWinter/Autumn: Chinchilla
Spring: Less Chinchilla
Summer: Lace
Feel free to mix & match.
Quote:You see a lot of very sharply dressed people on the street here, though.We must frequent different streets then. I like wearing a dress shirt and tie to work. The only other people that wear ties in my office building are the parking attendants and lobby hosts.
Not a big business suit culture here. You may find yourself overdressed.
Quote:You see a lot of very sharply dressed people on the street here, though.We must frequent different streets then. I like wearing a dress shirt and tie to work. The only other people that wear ties in my office building are the parking attendants and lobby hosts.
Not a big business suit culture here. You may find yourself overdressed.
Quote:We must frequent different streets then.This is exactly what I was thinking when I read that – I almost never seem to see well dressed people in Chengdu. When I go to Hong Kong or Shanghai I see tons of them. And in San Francisco… forget it, even homeless people can be well dressed here.
Quote:We must frequent different streets then.This is exactly what I was thinking when I read that – I almost never seem to see well dressed people in Chengdu. When I go to Hong Kong or Shanghai I see tons of them. And in San Francisco… forget it, even homeless people can be well dressed here.
Haha….nicely dressed people here! It is completely acceptable to wear pajamas out. My adorable husband always asks my approval of his ‘outfit’ choice (which is usually what he calls his fancy t’s and less saggy jeans) usually to avoid me teasing him in the elevator on the way out! Honey, this is Chengdu do as you please!
Whenever I buy something nice he makes me promise I won’t wear it here! Dry cleaning nice clothes is very expensive and usually very crappy quality.
Wow…I have too much time on my hands! Gotta go travel…
Haha….nicely dressed people here! It is completely acceptable to wear pajamas out. My adorable husband always asks my approval of his ‘outfit’ choice (which is usually what he calls his fancy t’s and less saggy jeans) usually to avoid me teasing him in the elevator on the way out! Honey, this is Chengdu do as you please!
Whenever I buy something nice he makes me promise I won’t wear it here! Dry cleaning nice clothes is very expensive and usually very crappy quality.
Wow…I have too much time on my hands! Gotta go travel…
Hm. Well, I see lots of beautiful young women who are nicely dressed in Tongzilin. ‘Dressed up or nicely’ is always relative, but the women I’m talking about would hold their own in any big city. It’s not that ALL women dress this way. There’s always the chinchilla and lace bikini or jammie crowd, too. I just think it’s easier to start out a little more formal and then ease into the situation. But that’s just me. Good luck Jessica!
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