When you see someone with Tattoos what is your first reaction?

Jodi - posted on 04/25/2012

I have no problem with tattoos, I have a few myself, all of which can be covered. However, if you want to keep your options all open in terms of a lucrative career or just a higher standard job...tattoos aren't exactly known to win over many employers. I'm not saying that you should be descriminated against for having your face, head, neck, hands etc etc all covered in ink...but that's just the way it is. Living in my town, I wouldn't hire anyone with any ink above the neck and it would depend on what and how much is on the arms. It's a very conservative town, and tattos would definately drive away customers here. So, I guess it depends on where you live too.

**Jackie** - posted on 04/25/2012

I definitely get stares. I have a few but one, in particular, on my wrist. My husband and I had a hard time a few years ago and I ALMOST made the biggest mistake of my life....I woke him up in the middle of the night and told him what I was up to and we almost got a divorce. I have since then been making it up to him every day. Even though I didn't "do" anything I got a tattoo on my wrist and it says "Amare sine timore". It means love without fear. I was so scared he was going to hurt me that I felt as though I had to hurt him first...? It was insane, I know. Anyway, people look at my tattoo and think I'm some sort of bad ass...when in reality I'm just a girl who is in love with a boy AND badass? I've never even gotten a detention before. I stayed home from senior prom to study for finals.

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 04/24/2012

I'd figure you'd get the job first then the tattoos. My FIL works with a guy who has tattoos on his head and face (ouch!) He works at Kohler up in Armstrong making bathtubs and showers.

Honestly I wouldn't mind if my GP or a nurse practitioner had a facial tattoo- it would give my kids something to look at while they got their shots.

Karen - posted on 04/24/2012

I have no problems with tats that have meaning to the person wearing them. My hubby has a skull with angel wings all around it roses and his moms name. The roses are red and purple. The purple respensents cancer of all kids.
This was a tribute to his mother. It means so much to him. I think it's great.

I have none as I can't get them due to medical reasons. However many of my family does have them.

I don't like name tats if they are for a wife or girlfriend or boyfriend, cuz once you break up your stuck with it. But that's my opinion.

I have a brother who has tats on his face as well. Not my favorite placement but it's his body. Yes most people who look at him and be scared. He does look kinda rough but he's a sweetheart, If you talk with hiim you could see that but I've seen people reactions to him.

Funny story. He went to church with me and my family one day. You could see people kinda giving him wide birth. He sat in on a Bible study class with my Stepdaughter and while he was there he asked alot of good questions that made people rethink how they were treating him. When he finally came out a few asked him where he got his ink and he told them, he designed most of his tats. Some asked him to design some for them. it would be their first.

MeMe - Raises Her Hand (-_-) (Mommy Of A Toddler And Teen) - posted on 04/24/2012

Well, I am talking their complete face, not just some tattoo. However, yes, it does depend on the job but do you really want to succumb yourself to "only" certain jobs?



I mean you can look however you wish where my husband works. It is the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation warehouse. Not everyone is set out to work in such a physical job. He often walks for 9 hours straight (when he doesn't pick the lift machine) and is lifting very heavy items the entire time. He wishes he had different education, so he could move careers. If he had tattoos all over his face, it wouldn't matter what education he had. His choices would be limited.



So, I would have to say, think twice before putting a needle to your face or head. ;)



Besides, it is my first question when seeing this and for the very purpose I mention above. Even if they decide they can do a warehouse job for life. Which BTW my husband has been doing for 12 years and is now senior to most, so I am not saying it is a terrible career but I am saying it is not for the faint hearted (or weaklings). I couldn't do it. :-O

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 04/24/2012

Meme, it depends on what kind of job. My brother works for Frito Lay in their warehouse and has quite a few tattoos on his arms and one on his neck. And there are celebrities who have face tattoos

Now if you have the kind of job my mom has where you work in an office setting or are constantly meeting new people you should try not to have tattoos where people can see them or that would be offensive. But it definitely depends on what your job is.

MeMe - Raises Her Hand (-_-) (Mommy Of A Toddler And Teen) - posted on 04/24/2012

My first reaction is, cool, what is it. ;) Unless it is on their face or head. Then I am like, "what a fool, don't they need to get a job someday?"

I like tats. I have one around my belly button and my husband has three. However, we made sure to get them in a place that can be covered easily. I am due for another, I was 18 when I got mine. My husband wants another too. I just can't justify the cost. It definitely is not a "need" and I have many other "wants". lol

Janelle - posted on 04/24/2012

I personally don't like the idea of making the art permanent on our bodies. I love art- on canvases, walls, clothes, etc. I love that people like to be unique and express their personality, but not on their skin. I am constantly evolving as a person- learning and growing and changing. My clothes, hair, and jewelry change to reflect it. I feel different with each outfit I wear-- I would not like to be defined by something as permanent as a tattoo.
I try not to judge others by their tattoos. When they are so "in your face", it is very difficult not to. Aren't they trying to make a statement when they do that anyway? When I see little, discrete tattoos- I am more likely to think it was carefully thought out and has special meaning. I do see them as a scar or a blemish though and I have enough of those from my surgeries and childhood injuries. I'm keeping my body as a blank canvas.

Allison - posted on 01/12/2012

. i love tatoos when they are done well and tastefully. but like it depends on who has them what it is. some people its really interesting, some people it seems like they just want to be cool or badass and dont actually care for the art on thier body which makes me hate them and you can tell with some people. but yeah in general love tatoos and the people who have them or do them, especially ones that have a story behind it that will be cool forever like mine is a amy brown fairy sitting on the moon it was done in a little place on the corner of Haight Ashburry in San Fransisco with the windows showing a bar that Jimi, JIm and Janis along with the beatles used to frequent. i love my tatoo. i love tatoos everyone should have a cool tatoo with a fun story behind it

Debb - posted on 01/11/2012

I have many tattoos and I love them. I love to look at other people's tattoos. I think that tattoos are the external representation of a persons personality, like their body is the canvas for their life. Kind of cool. I have had many different reaction to my own. Some complimentary, some judgmental. I can see how they aren't for everyone, but I am unsure as to why they offend some people (save the vulgar, violent type of tattoos). Tattoos do not affect anyone but the tattooed individual, so why would anyone care that there is a rose vine growing up my arm?

Tam - posted on 01/10/2012

Most of the people I work with are inked up. I think it looks cool. I've been in the culture so long, I rarely even notice tattoos unless they are particularly badass.

I don't have any myself, but I do design artwork for others.

Alessia - posted on 01/09/2012

I have full sleeves on both arms. My right arm consists of engravings from Dante's Inferno by 19th century artist Gustave Dore and my left arm consists of Medieval Illuminated manuscript pieces that recount the 13th century story Le Morte D'Arthur by Thomas Malory. Both my arms are sleeved shoulder to wrist with black and grey work (no color except for some burgundy and gold highlights in the medieval images).



People stare. I don't care. I'm awesome.



Oh and I've never had a problem getting a job. My resume and education supercede any artwork on my body and most people don't care anyway. My son's principal even offered me a teaching position, pink hair and all. :)

Laura Zoey - posted on 01/09/2012

Depends on the tattoo and it's placement and the clothes around it and the attitude of the individual.
A beautiful, or cute, or strong looking tattoo in a well placed spot on a nice articulate well dressed person will not give me any bad impressions.
But a tat of Elmo giving me the finger, or a skull tat or a bloody knife, etc especially paired with trashy clothes or a ghetto attitude yeah it's a judgement thing.
Face tattoo makes me think stupid.
And anything offensive even if it's coupled with a nice outfit still makes me judge them as to why they got that!
But over all tattoos don't bug me and I usually notice it just about as much as I notice their clothes or accessories.

Ashley=) - posted on 01/08/2012

My partner has 3 tattoos, one on the back of his leg.A maori one and our childrens names on the back of his two arms.I love them and many ask him were he got them done.All are done in black.The writing done in old English and the maori design is cool but not huge.He can hide them if necessary and he doesn't look rough etc.

With that being said i saw a young man with a shaved head and right beside his eye a maori design in bold black heading around the side of his head.My first reaction was he looked very scary and then i thought my god that must of hurt like hell:-P

Dusty - posted on 01/07/2012

Really depends on the type of tattoos. If they are obviously "this was a drunk night" tattoos, then, thanks, but no thanks. It looks stupid. However, I've seen some pretty damn classy tattoos. I have 2 (my boys' names & birthdates) & I plan on getting more. However, if someone does have a crappy tattoo, I can't say it's right to judge that person based solely on a that tattoo. Maybe they got it when they were younger, & more than likely it's something they regret (hopefully). It doesn't make them a bad person. Tattoos are an expression of one's self. Just like coloring your hair, or dressing a certain way, or listening to certain types of music. There's nothing wrong with some good ink :)

Julianne - posted on 10/15/2011

I judge the creativity of the tattoo and the artwork itself. I don't think it has any real reflection on the personality of someone. Anyone can get a tattoo all it says is you like tattoos.

Chelsea - posted on 10/15/2011

most of the time i have 1 of 2 reactions either its really cool/pretty or wow why would you put something like that on yourself

Laura - posted on 10/15/2011

I have tattoos and I don't think there offensive to anyone. If someone doesn't like your tattoos than they don't have to look. A tattoo doesn't mean your a bad person and you do drugs or deal drugs or anything like that it just means this is your way of expressing yourself and theres nothing wrong with that.

Liz - posted on 10/13/2011

For the most part I think tattoos are beautiful and they represent something about that persons character.
Obviously things like racist tattoos I don't like but they definitely say something about that persons character also.

Ashley - posted on 10/13/2011

I think tattoos are so cool! When I see someone with one that I like it makes me want on too. lol

I'm to chicken to get one though.

Iris - posted on 10/10/2011

LOL! I forgot to answer the question.
Any racist tats, yeah, I keep away. Stupid ones and offending, you won´t get me asking any questions. But when I see art and expression, cultural wise or personal, I'm all asking and admiring...as long as it's a nice tat.

Iris - posted on 10/10/2011

Age? no. My mom wants a tattoo and she is 63 years old. The only thing is, she wanted the same tattoo artist I had and she was booked through the month mom came to visit.

I had my first tat on my right lower abdomen. I wanted to be able to cover it. But no one got to see it. It's a pretty one that was designed by me and my tat artist.

Last year I got a big one on my back and I love it. Any time I can I keep my back uncovered. I've been stopped numerous times and asked about what it represents and who the artist is.

I'm very proud of both of my tattoos and now I want a 1/2 sleeve. No issues here, I just love expressing who I am on the outside.

Joy - posted on 10/10/2011

I think that is ridiculous. Well i would hate if ppl judged my 17 y/o daughter because she has facial piercings and did have her ears gauged.

Sal - posted on 10/06/2011

it depends hugely on how old and where you live i think the reaction you will recieve and what is socially acceptable, i did live on the coffs coasts and yep, tats peircings and matted hair is pretty normal and acceptable (got to love bello for making it seem normal) but where i am now it is way more conservative and just not going to be accepted as well, besides it is cold, we are covered up most of the year and if you wanted to show off your tat you'd have to put it on your face......i did say my son could have one but it must be able to be covered, he is still young and not sure of the path he wants to take in life and unlike his career choice a tat is perminate and at under 18 he should not make a decision that will potentially affect choices for his future because no matter what is right first impressions do count against (or for you) and looking for your place in the work place is hard enough without giving people ammunition to fire at you.... i also think that the gut reaction is something we really have no control over...what we do have control over is how we choose to proceed....

Mary - posted on 10/06/2011

Exactly Feen - if my lawyer-friend would have placed it elsewhere, it wouldn't have been quite as meaningful.

As it is, it actually made me like her a whole lot more - it humanized her, and revealed a sense of humor and mischievousness that I never would have expected.

I think that while Rebecca is certainly not alone in her views, I do think her perspective on it is one that has drastically decreased over the years. I think fewer and fewer people today automatically attach that "white trash" stigma with tattoos.

Charlie - posted on 10/06/2011

The beauty is none of you have to like it, a tattoo is deeply personal.

I do think it is generational although not all older generations are so down on it , I know living in Bondi and on the south coast it is pretty rare that anyone has to cover up their tatts because they are just accepted as part of the person. Where I live majority of people dont even take notice because they are so common.

" Same for models- perhaps models have to strategically place tattoos if they plan to continue modeling for as long as they can carry their career."

Not really several models are not only tattooed but heavily tattooed especially men as someone who does enjoy my fashion mags this is something that has been growing over the years and is not only accepted in the industry but a look many designers are going for.

"A lawyer with the good judgment to put it a place where no one she works with will see it. ;-) Well, most people she works with... "

I highly doubt the placement was to cover it up, do you really think it would have been as funny if she got it on her arm or back.....this is just placement with meaning.

Rebecca - posted on 10/06/2011

Exactly, Cathy. I know a fellow lawyer who was denied a job offer because she wore a light pink suit to an interview. The partners felt it was inappropriate and unprofessional so they didn't hire her.

Sal - posted on 10/06/2011

i think that the people who are so down on rebecca need to just chill a little, the question was on the first impression, not her overall treatment of that person, nothing she has said makes me think the tatooed person in would ever know how she felt initially, if she were to then go on and treat anyone with anyless respect due to thier tats thats a who other story but if not it is just that moment when we see something we just don;t like, and guess what we don;t have to like everyone and everything, people who put tats on like them and if you are spending the time and the money to get one done you must realise that what it is and where it is is going to change your physical appearance and the impression that people have of you, and it is a 50 50 shot that others are going to like them or not, it is the same as having a foot high green mohawk, it is there to be seen and to make an impression and you can't control how someone else will react......
the one type of tat i really hate is the face tat of a dead loved one, they can be beautifully done, they just make me cringe a freind of mine has one of her son and i can barely look at it...my heart breaks for her everytime i hug my son as they were the same age but the tat just irks me for some reason....

Joy - posted on 10/06/2011

@ Rebecca ~ I get that your first post is your opinion and you're entitled to it. But you've been around these boards long enough to know that when you come on and drop a bomb like "White trash. Seriously" without any further explaination, people ARE going to jump on the defensive. You think some people should grow thicker skins....maybe you also need to work on your tact a little. Just sayin'....

Sylvia - posted on 10/06/2011

Mine is, "Hey, I wonder if he knows my little brother?" ;) Which is totally ridiculous because I live in ON and he lives in AB, but tattoos, giant ear piercings, and/or a general punk appearance always remind me of him :)

(That said, I do wonder whether he may one day regret having like 75% of his body covered with art ... but it's his skin, not mine!)

People (some people) connect tattoos with certain lifestyle choices -- smoking, drinking, dropping out of school, not having a "real" job, etc. -- and with certain personal characteristics -- impulsiveness, lack of thrift, inability/unwillingness to take a long-term view. This may have been a reasonable view to take in the days when most people who had tattoos got them either in prison or while on leave from the army/navy and vastly drunk (like my late FIL, who was fond of lecturing us young'uns on Why Tattoos Are A Bad Idea) -- although possibly not even then -- but these days ... not so much.

Ashley=) - posted on 10/06/2011

I love tattoos but i have none.My other half has only 3.There lovely.
I would of always said do not judge a book by its cover.
I found myself eating my words there the other day.
I saw a man, well built.Shaved head and black design up the side of this eye..done like the letter c say beside his eye.He could of been the nicest man in the world but he looked so rough and scary.I have never felt like this about anyone with tat before.The tattoo was scary and i did not like the position personally myself.(the face)

Johnny - posted on 10/06/2011

I think this is also a bit cultural and generational. It depends where you live and which age groups. Where I live, I frequently see professionals of all types sporting visible tattoos. They aren't normally large and definitely not offensive, but they aren't hidden either. The tech who took my blood work last week had one on her wrist. And like I said, my doctor has large ones. When I worked as a social worker, I saw the occasional lawyer sporting them. My daughter's preschool teacher has labrets in his ears. No one blinks an eye or refuses to work with any of these people, everyone would think they were nuts!

Cathy - posted on 10/06/2011

It's a sad fact of life that people do judge appearance and first impressions can stick.

Judging based on tattoos is no different to judging a person by the clothes they wear. If someone turned up to a job interview at a law firm dressed in a pink tutu and fairy wings with their hair dyed bright pink then nobody would take them seriously for the job. A person chose to wear those tattoos and if they present a negative image then the person has no one but to blame than themselves.

Tattoos aren't a skin condition, they are a choice.

Sapphire - posted on 10/06/2011

"most people in professions where appearance does matter know to put them somewhere they can be concealed"

I feel this IS a huge part of someone's "first impression". In a professional work setting where appearance does count, it's the first visual appearance of a person that makes an impact. Even if it's the most beautiful body artwork, a first impression based on appearance may, or may not, impact someone being hired over another candidate of identical qualifications without visible tattoos.

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 10/06/2011

Funny thing is most people in professions where appearance does matter know to put them somewhere they can be concealed. You don't need a law degree to be smart enough to do that :)



Some people's reactions to body art are why I make sure I can cover mine. I work with different people from many different backgrounds and opinions. I doubt that the couple who believed that Obama is an anti Christian Muslim would have appreciated my tattoos. There are other people as well who I took care of who probably wouldn't have liked it either.



I'm also going to come clean, I thought that all the tattoos that my ex MIL has on her arms are excessive and a bit gauche. Of course they don't look very well done either and are blurred a bit on her arms. Honestly I still think that. In my opinion with tattoos you should do less not more unless you're in a job where it doesn't quite matter- like my brother who works for Frito Lay.

Rebecca - posted on 10/06/2011

Not at all, Kate. It merely proves the point I have repeatedly made -- that the question is addressing first impressions and I'm being honest about my first impression. I'm not "convicting" anyone as Joy and the others have suggested. The other moms here may not like it, but a lot of people have negative impressions about tattoos (which is what prompted the OP's question in the first place). It doesn't mean it permanently colors my impression of the person as a whole, but it certainly is a negative check mark when I first meet someone. Frankly, I don't understand why anyone would voluntarily blemish their body -- and it is a blemishment IMHO. You can call it art, you can call it beautiful, but to me it's just ugly.

Rebecca - posted on 10/06/2011

A lawyer with the good judgment to put it a place where no one she works with will see it. ;-) Well, most people she works with...

Mary - posted on 10/06/2011

Funny story about tattoos and professionals....

I was taking care of woman in her late 30's having her 4th baby. I assumed her care after she had already been admitted, had an epidural, and was just relaxing. Upon meeting her and chatting, it was fairly obvious that this was an affluent, well-educated working mom. Despite being in labor, she was meticulously made up, and not a hair was out of place. All of her luggage in the corner was Kate Spade, and her jewelry was rather impressive as well.

I had to stifle a laugh when she began to push, and I caught a glimpse of her nether regions. She was sporting a rather large tattoo of an ice cream cone just above, and into, her pubic hair line, with the words "LICK ME" above it.

Guess what she did for a living....

....She was a lawyer =)

Sapphire - posted on 10/06/2011

I thought about this thread during a segment on this morning's news. The Phoenix Symphony is traveling around to local elementary schools in response to the budget cuts in Music Education. Professional strings orchestra, all professionally dressed. And I'm thinking to myself "How many of these professional musicians had to cover up their tats? Perhaps the cello player has a partial sleeve or the viola player has a full back tattoo?" Being inked does not take away from their profession and musical talent. It just means that they cared enough about their career to place their tattoos in a position that does not impact their work. Same for models- perhaps models have to strategically place tattoos if they plan to continue modeling for as long as they can carry their career. So when someone questioned "WHY" in the workplace someone would have to cover up any ink, here are 2 more reasons.

Kate CP - posted on 10/05/2011

"...I should add that my nanny has a tattoo and that didn't prevent me from hiring her."

This SO sounds like "I'm not racist! I have a black friend!" :P

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 10/05/2011

Rebecca you do understand though that your first reaction being "white trash" does offend people. Reguardless of the fact that the nanny has a tattoo.

I understand that making a first impression is important and that people do judge you on your looks. I'm a care aide,people have to feel comfortable allowing me into their homes to take care of them. That's a main reason I made sure my tattoos can be concealed. It won't matter that I'm a professional and that I'm good at my job. Or that I'm extremely friendly and a hard worker if the person doesn't feel comfortable with me.

I'm not about to deny that I've made judgements about people myself, that's human nature. You'd have to be Jesus reincarnated not to be judgemental. I'm to the point of obsessive compulsive about that. I'm going to my training tonight to become a Girl Guide leader and I'm bringing my daughters. I made sure that both of them look neat and clean (good luck on that with a 7 month old, I know) and have decent clothing. I did the best I could with myself too. But my decent looking shoes are still in New York and my jeans of the day are torn at the hems. I have my favourite black Puma's on, but I still feel rather ratty. I have to rely on the fact that I'm a people person and that I do have a good personality.

JL - posted on 10/05/2011

Sorry, but it's not just appearance alone that some of us rely on to judge the character of a person. For me it's the way they stand, the way they carry themselves, the way they conduct themselves and the words they use. You can look pretty all you want but if you sound like an idiot and are judgmental and rude then I don't care to know you. I would rather engage in a conversation with someone wearing wrinkly clothing, tattooed but brilliant and kind then someone clean cut not tattooed who acts as if they are better than everyone else because they have a nicer outfit and no tattoos. I have to admit the words you used have made a bad impression for me all I am thinking is damn that is one judgmental woman. The fact is I actually feel bad about making the assumption because it's not fair to do so but then the continued responses lead me to believe you don't feel bad about your assumptions concerning people who have tattoos so what's the point in even engaging in a debate. It seems that from first appearance alone someone has been judged and convicted of the crime of being "white trash."

Johnny - posted on 10/05/2011

Perhaps having practiced social work with scary frightening looking people who many would hide from in a dark alley and finding many of them to be more compassionate, kind, gentle, caring, respectful, polite, and intelligent than people with whom I have gone to school with, worked with and lived beside, I have learned not to make those sorts of assumptions. When I worked in the poorest, most dangerous part of town, I found people to be far more courteous and polite than those shopping in the tony shops in the district where I lived. I agree, many people do judge based on appearance and the Duggar thread is a great example of that. But frankly, I do find it a bit immature. Perhaps you have never had your assumptions frequently and strongly dis-proven by reality. I have. When I was young, I judged people on their appearance all the time. Now, I know that I made a lot of mistakes and probably missed out on knowing some great people. I've always found retail establishments who require their staff to use bandaids or other things to cover piercings or tattoos to be really quite silly. In fact, it would be a strike against the company in my book. I prefer to support free expression.

I just want to add that I am personally a very straight-laced person in appearance. I have a plain brown hairstyle, no tattoos, just my ears pierced and generally wear professional clothing, neat make-up and practical shoes. That's how I am comfortable. I would appreciate that people don't assume that I am dull because I am not a flashy dresser or pierced up the wazoo.

Rebecca - posted on 10/05/2011

"To me, being unable to not judge a book by its cover is a sign of intolerance that I link to a lack of maturity."

@Johnny -- 1) nothing I have said could remotely be taken to indicate that I somehow cannot judge a book by its cover. The question presented was what is your first reaction to a person with a tattoo. I have explained what my first reaction is. Does it mean I would not talk to a person with a tattoo? No. It doesn’t mean much of anything other than that is my initial impression. You don’t share it – fantastic. But it doesn’t chance my opinion in the slightest. 2) Appearances matter and you know it. Heck – all you have to do to prove that point is to go to the Duggar thread and look at how many women made negative comments about Michelle Duggar’s hair. You can be as disingenuous as you want about it and claim how you don’t judge people based on appearances, but we all know that not true for any person. We all judge people based on their appearances. If you were in a dark street and a 6 foot 6 man, muscle bound man was walking towards you with a baseball bat in his hand looking at you with a menacing look, you mean to tell me you wouldn't turn around and walk away? Or hesitate to walk past him? Or that you wouldn’t refuse a car ride to a toothless, filthy, unbelievably smelly person wearing torn and tattered clothes who stops you to ask for a ride to the next town? Of course you would. Because appearances DO matter and people use their gut instincts, based largely on a person's appearance, to determine whether a person is trustworthy, safe or capable.

Rebecca - posted on 10/05/2011

I'm sorry -- I can't stop laughing at all the comments by the people who are judging me for supposedly be judgmental. Hello pot, meet kettle...

With respect to a client with tattoos, a client's tattoos wouldn't have any impact on whether or not I would represent them. That decision would be 100% dependent upon the merits of their case or the matter they needed me to represent them on. However, if I had a client, and that client was going to be testifying at trial, I would absolutely, 100% recommend that they cover any and all tattoos before testifying because you never know what impression it might leave on a juror. I would also counsel them about dressing appropriately for court. Appearances matter.

With respect to whether or not I would hire someone with a tattoo that is concealable, I think it depends on the tattoo and whether the person would actually conceal it. I know firms I have worked for have required women with ankle tattoos to wear bandaids over them at work if they are wearing skirts.

I should add that my nanny has a tattoo and that didn't prevent me from hiring her.

Charlie - posted on 10/05/2011

My 83 year old grandmother loves all of my tattoos she thinks they are beautiful and actually she didnt believe my newest one was even real because of its style ( realistic )

I can tell you at our school majority of teachers were peirced and tattooed .... luckily we had parents and children who base their "first impression" on our first discussion, personality and attitude not on our looks.

My ex~boss personally doesnt like tattoos and the only rule was no offensive tattoos ( hate symbols rude language ) but she encouraged self expression in all people, to me the ability to base your views and ideas of a person on their inner character shows great maturity and understanding, it shows a level of deeper thought.

I would much rather be judged as "white trash" for my outward appearance by the few who lack these simple human abilities than actually be the person judging another based on looks.

I mean when you compare a person who is happy to be themselves and "wear their heart on their sleeve" and a person who inwardly hides their shallow and judgmetal views for another person the simple fact is it is those who judge are a lesser human being.

It's just sad and pathetic really.

Rosie - posted on 10/05/2011

i obviously think that business' can do what they want, however i still fail to see what is so unprofessional about a tattoo or a piercing.

Sapphire - posted on 10/05/2011

"The code of conduct at my old work was "No visible tattoos or facial piercings". "

I personally do not have a problem with that policy. Outward appearance, first impressions go a long way. I also think it's dependent upon the workplace. If someone dresses "business professional", male or female, meeting clients all day long or pitching presentations to a Board, professional appearance does not include a lip or eyebrow piercing, or visible tats that are extreme. But in the same respect, there is a difference with cultural/heritage piercings and tats. The pulminologist I go to is in my age bracket and is (Asian) Indian-she sported a very tiny nose stud. But that nose stud did not detract away from her professionalism on the job as a physician.

But if there is a specific code of conduct that you (you, in general) disagree with, then don't apply there!

Stifler's - posted on 10/05/2011

The code of conduct at my old work was "No visible tattoos or facial piercings".

Kate - posted on 10/05/2011

Rebecca - Just wondering... if a client came into your law firm and had tattoos... would you turn him / her away?