Appearance - Beards, Tats & Piercings

[greenskeeper]

True story -

Had a guy come in for an interview (golf course work) and on his forearm he had a tattoo "NEED MONEY".....I figured at least he was motivated.


In about 20 years I can see tattoo removal companies being big business.

[amarowsky]

I can understand people's first visual judgment of people with tattoo's, piercings, or colored hair.

If I were considering the mean perspective of frequent contributors to this forum, they would consider me as being covered with tattoos. (those in social circles with more tattoo's would think otherwise).

I have roughly one full arm with marine/ocean themed tattoos, and some other ones on my torso and other arm (upper arm/shoulder).

I recently left my old blue collar job as a railroad conductor, and started in a white collar position as a pricing/marketing specialist for a very large engineering company (roughly 150,000 employees globally).

I am well aware of the general perception of people with tattoo's in the eyes of conservative people. So naturally during interviews I wear my suit, where they are very difficult to spot unless you're staring completely at my wrist as my jacket sleeve moves up/down while I communicate. I was fortunate because despite my supreme lack of automotive sales/engineering experience and brand new degree, I was hired. Apparently beating out 19 other applicants too! My positive attitude, friendly demeanor, humor, and "articulate" speech are why they said they hired me.

The funny thing is, I was planning on just wearing a suit every day and/or button down w/ tie. Coincidentally within a week of getting hired, they implemented a "dress for the day policy", so unless were meeting with a customer (i'm on toyota account), doing a large presentation, or representing at new product displays, then we dress all the way down to jeans and t shirts. It was pretty humorous because other senior managers, VP's, and regular managers kept seeing me in full suit, despite the recent change and hot weather. They kept poking fun at me like, "you can dress more casual, your the new guy and making us look bad!". It was funny. I explained to them I had a bunch of Tattoo's and, while they're not offensive in any conceivable way, I wanted to be sensitive to not offend or make anyone uncomfortable. I truly love all of my co-workers already (been there for 5 months now) and didn't want to jeopardize my new position despite all of my managers telling me "it's ok". So I was hesitant towards showing my "true colors".

I wound up dressing professionally for nearly my first 2 months. Basically until people started to get to know me, and understand my work ethic, competency, and personality. Then I started to wear polos and expose my tattoos. No one seemed to really pay too much attention. It was relieving. Even though, aside from a few engineers, I'm in the vast minority with tattoos (probably <1%). Although since I have started to walk around and meet more of the 1,300 person campus, I have noticed a decent amount of more people with upper arm tattoo's wearing more revealing clothing.

At this point, it seems that because of my tattoo's I do stand out to those I don't normally have contact with. Other managers that I happen to have lunch near, will always remember my name and go out of their way to say "Hi". Even when I'm almost always with my partner at work, who has been there 4 years longer than me.

It's about breaking down barriers that don't necessarily have to be there with other people. Those with (formerly) different looks (tattoos/piercing/hair color+style) choose to be at the disadvantage for first impression. Someone really isn't that hungry for a job at an interview at a big/conservative corporation/industry if they do nothing to make themselves look more professional.

It's really easy to restyle your hair, remove/cover a piercing, or cover a tattoo. If they are too large and noticeable as to not be able to be covered (face, hands, neck, etc...) then you really have already made a decision to accept that disadvantage anywhere you go.

Personally, I have normal short hair, and no piercings. Kinda ironic, where tattoo's traditionally are the most difficult to "remove or change". With a suit on you really couldn't tell me apart from any other white male. But I was also responsible enough to plan for that, fully anticipating leaving my blue collar job in the future (as I did).

I'd imagine if anyone was hungry enough, they could tolerate their level of personal preference and expression enough to position themselves as the look of the majority of professionals... At least long enough to get hired.

Interesting thread, especially because I seem to be against the grain of traditional white collar workers! I'm just glad that once someone gets to knows a stranger, and after becoming acquainted they tend to forget/cast out/or remove negative pre-conceived notions. As long as they're not close minded or stubborn.

[StormRichards]

Really, to me they are just being lazy and wanting to fit in. If they want to look great here's a thought - be clean, dress neat, and keep yourself in shape. Workout. Jog. Do something constructive. You can look much more impressive and amazing to others doing that and not have permanent marks all over your body. This method is harder and people want easy results, and tattoos are easy. (Yeah, I'm 54 and an old fogey now I guess, but I workout daily and could probably kick the @$$ of most of the 40 y.o.'s I see with tattoos today. )

Do you workout at home? I have to ask because your perception is way off base from my observations at the gym. (Confession: I haven't been there in months)

I was a regular at the gym last year and leading into this year. If you were take the Silver Sneakers members out of the equation, at any given time in the gym the members with VISIBLE tattoos out number the members without visible tattoos. And the majority of members with visible tattoos are in amazing shape.

[bennkar]

Do you workout at home? I have to ask because your perception is way off base from my observations at the gym. (Confession: I haven't been there in months)

I was a regular at the gym last year and leading into this year. If you were take the Silver Sneakers members out of the equation, at any given time in the gym the members with VISIBLE tattoos out number the members without visible tattoos. And the majority of members with visible tattoos are in amazing shape.

I do workout at a gym, but it is an moderate sized office gym (so YMMV). Mostly professionals, and there are a few with tattoos, maybe 15%. I can think of two in fabulous shape with tattoos, but the others in great shape don't have them (that I can see anyway). But I was thinking outside of the gym I see the tats usually on out of shape people (though there are the exceptions).

To be honest I may be carrying my prejudice with me on this subject, so don't read this like its scientific or anything - just my opinion really. My attitude is if it doesn't enhance your looks (and to me the majority don't) then you just look silly with them. Following the crowd to show your individuality... just doesn't add up for me.

[disneysteve]

I see the tats usually on out of shape people

Definitely not the norm around here. For guys, it's often the gym rats and body builders who have the most tattoos. For girls, it's all across the board but I see plenty of very fit, attractive young women with tattoos.

[StormRichards]

I do workout at a gym, but it is an moderate sized office gym (so YMMV). Mostly professionals, and there are a few with tattoos, maybe 15%. I can think of two in fabulous shape with tattoos, but the others in great shape don't have them (that I can see anyway). But I was thinking outside of the gym I see the tats usually on out of shape people (though there are the exceptions).

To be honest I may be carrying my prejudice with me on this subject, so don't read this like its scientific or anything - just my opinion really. My attitude is if it doesn't enhance your looks (and to me the majority don't) then you just look silly with them. Following the crowd to show your individuality... just doesn't add up for me.

I am sure the location and clientele is a factor for sure. If the gym has a large clientele of professionals, then there would be a bigger percentage of no tats/hidden tats.

Personally I am not prejudice against tattoos in general, but I am definitely prejudice against bad tattoos or tattoos in horrible locations. I don't care what the artwork is or the meaning behind it, but a tattoo on a woman's breast comes off trashy to me.

[Eagle]

The question really becomes WHY? It seems that the only real reason is because it's always been that way.

Obviously, if I went out tonight and got a tattoo, it would change absolutely nothing about my professional knowledge or abilities. If I left work and stopped at the mall and got a piercing done, I would be the exact same person that I was before that. But it would absolutely affect people's perception of me. It's really a shame when you think about it that way.

It's about perception I suppose. At least that's how it is where I work. I will say that the younger generations (aka Millennials and Gen X) don't view tattoos in the same manner as older generations (Baby Boomers and Veterans). Also, seems people who have served in the military often have at least 1-3 tattoos or more.

Honestly, I don't personally find tattoos attractive. I agree with StormRichards that to an extent some tattoos can come off as trashy or ignorant. I do find tattoos in bad locations (neck, head, etc.) or ugly tattoos distracting.

But in my experience tattoos, piercings, length of hair, etc. really have little to do with a person's work etiquette. I work with people who have tattoos, piercings, long hair, long beards all the time. Hopefully this stigma will change as more Baby Boomers retire. I believe most Veterans are already retired.

[disneysteve]

I believe most Veterans are already retired.

???

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.

[Mjenn]

The principal of my kids' fancy private school has full-sleeve tattoos and wears t-shirts regularly. I think the tides have turned.

I have tattoos, but I keep them covered, most of the time at work. If it is summer and I am just working with colleagues in the office, it may be visible, but it doesn't violate our dress policy. If I 'm off to meet a client, I will probably cover up. Most of the people I work with have more tattoos than me. But then, I work with mostly programmers/developers. Everyone wears jeans and most have a beard, although they would be horrified to have it described as a Duck Dynasty beard. But they do fall into the bushy, hipster beard category.

I used to have a piercing, but I got rid of it when I left my job in the arts and entered the corporate world. Cannot say I would even notice if a woman had 2-5 piercings in her ears. A few guys in my office have stretched lobes and earrings as well, but no one has facial piercings.

ETA: I work in IT. Most of the people in the office make a very good salary and all are well-educated.

[GoodSteward]

I believe it is more of a concern for people who deal with the public daily. If you are in an enclosed office I wouldn't see how this would matter at all anymore other than making other people feel uncomfortable. The stereotype for this kind of activity is typically seen as a rebellious act, which means the people may be more aggressive or potentially violent. That isn't necessarily the case in reality, but because it is often a stereotype it will hinder someone with a job that deals with public or even some office environments.

From the jobs I've been around it isn't something you see office people/salary doing, only hourly folks. It isn't seen as professional to look excessive in nearly any way. When is the last time you saw an excessively fat CEO? Or a company president that looked like a pin cushion? Not saying it doesn't happen, but being excessive in any way is often a turn-off because it doesn't look "normal."

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I have a couple and they are easily covered. I'm generation X. MANY of my friends have them. When will the tide change? It's already changing. I think as people who are in their 30s+ get into upper management that will cause people to rethink what they look like.

I have fewer friends with beards and piercings, but many with tattoos. I can't tell you the number of women I know with ankle tats. Or guys with a chest or arm tat. And most have professional/graduate degrees. Most got it in college or early 20s.

When I met my DH I had tongue ring, eyebrow ring, rings up the ear, dyed hair, and tats and piercings you couldn't see. I now am a pretty "normal" stay at home mom. And I will admit to removing my piercings for my interviews but then at school/jobs I put many back in. I just found it too much work so I stopped dying my hair, and my piercings took too much time. So here I am more natural.

But I'm okay with my tats. And my kids can see them and they often play at putting on fake tats. Will i care? No. Because there is more than just judging people by what they look like. And you don't have to be "artsy" type jobs to be like that. I think it's just becoming more common.

[StormRichards]

My daughter and I used to watch some of the tattoo reality shows together out of appreciation of the art.

Although I do appreciate the art, I hope that she puts her money into more practical things like retirement, home ownership, etc.

[disneysteve]

My daughter and I used to watch some of the tattoo reality shows together out of appreciation of the art.

Although I do appreciate the art, I hope that she puts her money into more practical things like retirement, home ownership, etc.

That's actually a good point. We don't often hear about the cost.

Americans spend $1.65 Billion dollars annually on tattoos.

As for the tide turning, about 40% of Americans ages 18-40 have at least one tattoo. That's a pretty high number. Clearly, the stigma is fading away and in another 10-20 years, you're going to see many more professionals and upper management with tattoos as that generation moves up the ranks.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

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.

[cornfieldj]

My friend's son had his mom's name tattooed on his wrist as a birthday present to her (not sure what she thought of this) but he did it strategically so one day when he is grown up it will be covered with a watch for work.