Business attire in Japan is very conservative, so it makes sense that English schools have strict rules regarding teachers’ appearance. NOVA has the typical rules for dress code, but they also have an interesting set of rules regarding facial hair: if you have it you can keep it as long as it’s properly trimmed and groomed. If you don’t have facial hair you aren’t allowed to grow it on the job.
Ever since my last lesson I decided to stop shaving and see if I could grow anything. So far I have learned two important things:
- There are spots on my face where nothing grows. This is going to make a beard impossible and a goatee challenging
- Growing facial hair on a usually clean shaven face is super itchy
Some people like my roommate Azeroth can grow a full beard in a matter of hours. With my uncooperative face and blond hair it’s going to take me weeks and may look ridiculous the entire time. I can now understand the reason for NOVA’s “can’t grow it on the job” rules.
Drinking in Japan 