Appearance - Beards, Tats & Piercings

[StormRichards]

The number of women doing it is amazing. And if you have 1-2 and they are an ankle or small back or hip or something it's not pricey. I can't recall mine but maybe $300 at the time? And $100 for the ankle? So it's not exactly driving people broke getting one.

But I will tell my kids don't put anyone's name but your own I did my name so at least i'll never regret it.

Yeah, I had more elaborate tattoos or several tattoos in mind when I made that post. Honestly, I am not sure I know anyone with a tattoo that doesn't want more. It seems to become a bit of an obsession.

As for names or otherwise bad choices, I LOVED watching the tattoo nightmares show. I think that is what it was called. It was amazing how the artist blended the bad tattoo into a true work of art.

[JoeP]

I'm split on tattoos. I admire the artwork, creativity, and in some cases the message. But no matter how hard I try, I cannot comfortably identify any message or symbol that I want to be put onto my body. Even subjects like family members, pets, favorite bands, astrological sign, significant dates...nothing stands out as something I feel I need to put onto my body.

[Eagle]

???

Have you forgotten the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, and other ongoing conflicts? Unless you are using "veteran" to mean WW II and Vietnam. There are loads of veterans who aren't anywhere near retirement age.

In context I was speaking of generations... Please re-read the comment. For example:

• iGen, Generation Z or Centennials: Born 1996 and later.
• Millennials or Generation Y: Born 1977 to 1995.
• Generation X: Born 1965 to 1976.
• Baby Boomers: Born 1946 to 1964.
• Traditionalists, Veterans, or Silent Generation: Born 1945 and before.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Tats on a woman is a turn off for me. I can deal with a few tats but not covered with them. BTW I don't have any tats. Oh and the tramp stamp (lower back) on women is helpful in gauging a woman's easiness (lol).

And beards are gross. I had one and sometimes food would be hanging on without me knowing. Or worse spittle often gets stuck in the beard, yuck. Now I know why my girlfriend at the time hated my beard. I'll never grow a beard again knowing now what lurked in my beard back then.

As for piercings the normal placements sit well with me. It's placements such the cattle nose rings that make me think WTF is that thing in your nose (ha-ha). BTW a tongue piercing is not just for looks, I'll just leave it at that (lol). I don't have any piercings BTW. And a belly button piercing, I like.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Millennials typically is 1980s and later.

[bennkar]

Millennials typically is 1980s and later.

The cut over changes for each of these groups depending on the writer. For me, I am sometimes put in the Baby Boomer group, other times in the Gen X group. I guess that makes sense as I don't feel like I fit in with either group.

[hamchan]

I currently have six tattoos, some of which are quite large and in very visible locations. I have never worked in a corporate environment and would rather jump off a bridge than do so. I'm closing in on 40, so I can't imagine my career trajectory changing that dramatically. I do work directly with the public, and I don't cover my tattoos at work. If anyone has ever been bothered or offended by them, it hasn't affected me. I work by appointment and my schedule stays full.

Aside from one tiny one in a location that is usually covered up, I got all of my tattoos after I turned 35. I like them big, colorful, and in areas that usually show when I am clothed, because why bother if no one is going to see it? I get them because I have been an art collector for my whole adult life. I am running out of space in my home. I have lots of art that isn't even displayed. All of my tattoos (aside from the first one) are custom pieces. One of my artists has a BA in fine arts. It's not about "self expression" so much as it's just another way for me to own and enjoy artwork.

[TexasHusker]

We don't allow clothing that displays tats because it is unprofessional. I personally like tats but they are unprofessional.

We do not allow nose piercings and ear gauges for the same reason.

I had one employee tell me "You are discriminating!" I said "If you poured your life's savings into a business, you'd be discriminating, too!"

She didn't reply.

I'm always amazed that people feel that it is their right to dress and do whatever on YOUR dime. What the heck?

[disneysteve]

I had one employee tell me "You are discriminating!"

I love when people throw out the "discrimination" claim. It's not discrimination when you are not part of a legally protected class. It is not discrimination when the issue is something that you are doing by choice as opposed to something you are born with - race, gender, sexual orientation, etc.

Employers have the right to have a dress code, an appearance code, etc. Disney World banned facial hair for men for decades. They regulate the hairstyle you can have, the earrings women can wear, and more. That's not discrimination. That's an employer wanting to portray a certain image.

[~bs]

IDK, I'm a white collar guy, formerly worked with a lot of blue collar guys.

in my opinion, tattoos aren't too bad. as someone mentioned, they're less taboo nowadays. In a white collar setting, they probably should be covered as much as possible (I think the military and police have the same policy). Not a huge deal breaker. neck beards, piercings, multi colored hair - not really professional, and should be removed or covered up according to the company dress code.

Also in my opinion is that (at least for females) as the number of tats, multicolored hair, shaved head, crazy piercings, etc etc goes up, the higher the likelihood that she has mental problems. Narcissistic, BDP, etc. Sorry to say, but these individuals would definitely throw a red flag in my mind, especially if they don't even have the good sense to tone down their appearance at the interview.

[TexasHusker]

Our business philosophy is "look and act like our customers." The minute we start deviating from that - in appearance, conversation, etc. - the customer begins feeling uncomfortable and return numbers start declining. Of course, I'm not going to tolerate that.

I am not running a business to make social justice statements. I am trying to raise a family. People that can't get on board with my rules can go to work elsewhere.

[breathemusic]

This is all very industry specific. Some professions are such that it would clearly be our of place for someone to be covered in tattoos and piercings. Others, it's not a big deal. I work for the military (as a civilian) and have a long tattoo down the entire length of my inner forearm. No one gives a crap. When it's warm out, I don't care if my contractors or management sees it if I'm wearing shorter sleeves. But some tattoos are also just accepted in my work place. I take my cues from the environment and I got the tattoo after I had this job and knew it would be a career for me. Certainly being covered in tattoos and having tons of piercings would probably call in to question professionalism here.

But for people who don't work in an office-type environment, many times the colorful hair or tats or piercings don't really matter nearly as much. So I say, do whatever you want but be willing to accept the consequences of that!

[disneysteve]

Some professions are such that it would clearly be our of place for someone to be covered in tattoos and piercings.

The question this raises, though, is why? Who decided that nurses shouldn't have tattoos or male accountants can't have earrings or a life insurance agent can't have a nose ring? It's only "unprofessional" because folks decided it was unprofessional.

I recently met someone on a cruise. Very nice guy with multiple large tattoos and assorted piercings. Shaved head. Young guy, probably 30-ish. You can picture this in your mind, I'm sure. So I looked him up on Facebook. Turns out the guy is a chemical engineer with a degree in chemistry and a Masters in molecular biotechnology and works for one of the best known scientific companies in the country. Just not what I expected to find when I went to his page, which demonstrates my own bias.

I think times have changed. What "professional" looks like has evolved. Someone said earlier that 40% of people under 40 have tattoos. They are clearly much more accepted than they once were.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Times have changed. DS have you seen any out there drs yet? I know a few.

[PeggyHefferon]

The question this raises, though, is why? Who decided that nurses shouldn't have tattoos or male accountants can't have earrings or a life insurance agent can't have a nose ring? It's only "unprofessional" because folks decided it was unprofessional.

I recently met someone on a cruise. Very nice guy with multiple large tattoos and assorted piercings. Shaved head. Young guy, probably 30-ish. You can picture this in your mind, I'm sure. So I looked him up on Facebook. Turns out the guy is a chemical engineer with a degree in chemistry and a Masters in molecular biotechnology and works for one of the best known scientific companies in the country. Just not what I expected to find when I went to his page, which demonstrates my own bias.

I think times have changed. What "professional" looks like has evolved. Someone said earlier that 40% of people under 40 have tattoos. They are clearly much more accepted than they once were.

You looked up a stranger on Facebook? That comes off a bit creepy to me.