Appearance - Beards, Tats & Piercings

[Outdoorsygal]

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!

Maybe some industries it is likely good to have tattoos. Such as a bodyguard for example.

[disneysteve]

Tattoos no doubt, are related to riskier behavior and criminal behavior as well. Mutilating your body with ink via needles isn't clearly very smart, in most instances.

We had two tattoo shops in the town where we sold our home.Strategically placed where the criminal activity occurs otherwise I doubt they'd have any business.
One shop was owned by a lesbian couple, a lady we later learned carried the AIDS virus. HPV? Can't recall now but they were arrested for dealing drugs on the side.
No surprise if you saw them

Some negative stereotypes here.

Only people in high crime areas would use tattoo shops.
I have no idea why the sexual orientation of the shop owner was important to mention, or her personal medical history.

Bottom line is that we all have anecdotal experiences that color our views on these matters. I'm much more accepting of tattoos and piercings than I used to be. Why? Because over the years, I've come to know many more "normal" people who have them. When I was younger, it was the rebels bikers and low lifes who got tattoos. It was the Goth teens doing the body piercing. That's just not the case anymore. I know doctors, lawyers, accountants, and people in all other walks of life who have tattoos and piercings. And is is people of various ages, not just young adults. It hasn't totally changed my opinion of them but it has definitely softened it.

[TexasHusker]

Tattoos are still generally a product of the lower-socioeconomic groups. In my city, there isn't a tattoo parlor in the white collar sections of town. I don't know that it is a stereotype - just a fact.

If middle class folk were buying tats, you can bet the tat shops would move in next door.

[rennigade]

Maybe some industries it is likely good to have tattoos. Such as a bodyguard for example.

A UFC fighter had a good point about an opponent he was fighting covered in tattoos. "every tattoo on his body equates to hours of him sitting in a chair not training." A lot of people are intimidated by tattoos but its nothing more than color embedded in the skin. It doesnt make you tough.

[disneysteve]

Tattoos are still generally a product of the lower-socioeconomic groups. In my city, there isn't a tattoo parlor in the white collar sections of town. I don't know that it is a stereotype - just a fact.

If middle class folk were buying tats, you can bet the tat shops would move in next door.

I know a lot of people who I would consider middle class who have tattoos. Around here, you are less likely to have to go into some sketchy neighborhood to get a tattoo. There are places in decent areas.

[PeggyHefferon]

I know a lot of people who I would consider middle class who have tattoos. Around here, you are less likely to have to go into some sketchy neighborhood to get a tattoo. There are places in decent areas.

I agree. I see teenage & college aged women with tattoos all the time that live in middle & upper class neighborhoods.

I gave up my gym membership when I moved in with mom. It is located in a nice area and tattoos among the younger crowd were more common than not.

[Mjenn]

I got one of my tattoos at a parlor in one of the richest areas around NYC -- very suburban upper middle class.

In the European city I live in the tattoo parlors are spread out in all area of the town -- mostly in the nice neighborhoods or in the artsy and expensive neighborhoods.

You mentioned that you want your staff to represent your clientele, and that makes a lot of sense especially in the beauty/haircut biz.

I tend to cover my tattoos when meeting with clients, but notice more and more that they (the clients) have visible tats. My boss has never said anything about needing to cover them up, it just is what I have always been taught to do.

Also, people who make bad tattoo choices in their youth can turn out to be damn good people later on. We all do some dumb crap when younger. I worked with a guy who made the poor decision to tattoo F- you on his fingers. He's successfully started 3 businesses and employs many people. And I guess is pretty grateful that finger tattoos tend to fade quickly

I remember once when backpacking through Europe with piercings an older gentleman asking me why the hell I would do something like that to my face. I laughed because his arms were coated with tattoos, but I could take my piercing out and it would be gone. We all make choices, I love my tattoos and I am glad I can hold down a good white collar job and still enjoy them.

[Outdoorsygal]

Some negative stereotypes here.

Only people in high crime areas would use tattoo shops.
I have no idea why the sexual orientation of the shop owner was important to mention, or her personal medical history.

Bottom line is that we all have anecdotal experiences that color our views on these matters. I'm much more accepting of tattoos and piercings than I used to be. Why? Because over the years, I've come to know many more "normal" people who have them. When I was younger, it was the rebels bikers and low lifes who got tattoos. It was the Goth teens doing the body piercing. That's just not the case anymore. I know doctors, lawyers, accountants, and people in all other walks of life who have tattoos and piercings. And is is people of various ages, not just young adults. It hasn't totally changed my opinion of them but it has definitely softened it.

I posted facts as I know them. And I'd bet they are the norm, not special to our area. We live in the 10th richest County in California.

Whether the facts re-inforce negative stereotypes makes no difference to me.
If people want amateurs to stick needles into their body with the goal of having their body act as a walking portrait, more power to them.
They need all that attention. No biggie. Would I ever hire them? likely not.

Would I spend time with them? Maybe if we had something in common like cycling.
Would I be friends with them? Close friends? Maybe

[Outdoorsygal]

A UFC fighter had a good point about an opponent he was fighting covered in tattoos. "every tattoo on his body equates to hours of him sitting in a chair not training." A lot of people are intimidated by tattoos but its nothing more than color embedded in the skin. It doesnt make you tough.

There's a big difference in one small tattoo and a bunch of tats placed in strategic places where the pubic can see it.
Most of the time, there is no real good reason for them but it's not my place to judge others either

Yet.... if I was doing the hiring, I surely have a right to pass those folks by for an interview

If someone has too many tats, I generally won't go back to that business. Just not a pleasant experience staring at them

Yet nose-rings wore by those folks serving food, that is THE WORST.

[disneysteve]

If people want amateurs to stick needles into their body

Who said anything about amateurs? Is it not possible in your mind to be a professional tattoo artist? I'm quite sure there are many tattoo artists out there with formal art training up to and including degrees in fine art. Doesn't that make them professionals?

[disneysteve]

Yet.... if I was doing the hiring, I surely have a right to pass those folks by for an interview

I agree with you here. You have the right to hire who you wish (within the bounds of the law). Folks with tattoos are not a protected class as far as discrimination is concerned. I don't think I'd want someone with a bunch of tattoos on their face working at the front desk of my medical practice. It's just not the image I want to project. Does that mean they aren't qualified? Of course not, but we have the right to create a certain image for our business. And I think most people getting tattoos like that - highly visible - understand that it may limit their options in life.

[hamchan]

Most states, if not all of them, regulate the tattooing industry. To become a licensed tattoo artist takes years of apprenticeship, hundreds of hours of training in safety and sanitation. Getting a tattoo from a licensed professional is, medically speaking, pretty darn safe. The healing process is pretty similar to a bad sunburn, only on a much smaller scale. Keep it clean, don't touch it or pick at it, and you shouldn't have any problems. I would argue that giving birth mutilated my body far more than any of my tattoos have, and people do that every day. Driving a car is far more dangerous and people do that every day.


As for the idea that tattoo shops in affluent areas wouldn't get any business, all I can say is that is not my experience. There are dozens of tattoo shops within walking distance of where I live, and the average income and cost of living are very high here compared to the national average.

I do kind of understand the intimidation factor though. There are no shortcuts to getting a tattoo. You just have to sit still and endure the pain. And the longer it takes the more it hurts. It requires a certain level of mind over matter. Sure, it doesn't mean you can throw a punch, but it does mean you could probably take a few and keep going.

[PeggyHefferon]

There's a big difference in one small tattoo and a bunch of tats placed in strategic places where the pubic can see it.
Most of the time, there is no real good reason for them but it's not my place to judge others either

Isn't that exactly what you are doing?

[TexasHusker]

Isn't that exactly what you are doing?