A poll: Thoughts on tattoos on women...

AngryDiet

They can be incredibly sensual on a woman.

They can also be awful.

It depends on the tattoo, the location, and the woman.

The stigma against tattoos in the corporate world is disappearing. Many professionals have them and so long as they are either inconspicuous or "modestly seen", they aren't the liability that they used to be.

debobrien1

That's exactly what I think.... How is that gonna look on an 80 year old grandma arm?

hollyknouse

I personally dislike tattoos in general but I would NEVER judge and if they are done tastefully especially the ones with meanings can be kind of neat. My Dad had a tattoo that said Phyllis... my mom's name. She passed away and he married a Barb and then he got very sick and lost a lot of weight and it looked horrible.

vim_n_vigor

jrboyles is speaking my mind. Tattoos are completely and utterly disgusting. What's more, I would never hire someone with visible tattoos.

Thank you for your contribution. Honest opinions are welcome! Would you mind expanding on your point?

I'm curious as to why a subjective opinion about someone's appearance matters to an employer to that degree, if all other prerequisites for that job are met - qualifications, personality, attitude, presentation and hygiene for example.

Thank you in advance.

I can tell you for my job, we contract to very large, very conservative countries world-wide. The whole issue is 'how will the client perceive the tat?' To keep that from being an issue when someone has to travel to foreign countries or even just within the country to some of the more conservative companies, we just are not allowed to have them. I have been with this firm for 8 years, none of my clients allowed their employees to have visible tattoos either.

Juxtaposie

I LOVE tattoos. I have six of them, including a full back piece. That being said, I've never been a big fan of sleeves on women. I dunno why, it's a personal thing, I just don't like the look. I would never judge someone else for having them, and some of my good friends (females included) have stuff going on all over their arms. It's definitely not something I would ever do. On top of that, like so many others have said, it's still taboo in so many aspects of the professional workplace. I would hate to do something that would work against me later.

knitfastpurlyoung

I hate to comment on threads like this. I get tired of seeing threads asking how women should act and dress and think and eat to get other people's approval.

But on the other hand... a (good) sleeve on a woman is pretty hot.

I am absolutely not asking for approval. I know what I think. I am interested in hearing a full range of opinions from others on the matter, so I would know what to expect from others.

Thanks for your input.

tbskipp

TO each his own! I have one on the inside of my left ankle. Very tame in most opinions. I turned 40 in January and want to get a small one on my back/shoulder blade. Small like the size of a quarter. I was 23 when i got my first one and kept it hidden from my dad for YEARS! My husband has NONE, will never have one and doesn't really want me to get another one.

My mother-in-law is one of those people to look down at people with a lot of visible tattoos. I like to remind her that i have one and does that make me a bad person or bad mother?? She shuts up then. A lot of people still 'judge a book by it's cover'.

When i first got mine a friend asked me how i would think of it when i am 55 or 60. I think "I had a lot of fun when i was in my 20s, no cares, etc. " Nice reminder of those days.
:drinker:

escloflowneCHANGED

This is completely anecdotal, but I find people who are heavily inked (sleave, etc.) usually do so due to some kind of emotional baggage and insecurity. A drive to be non-confromist, because conformity was never really an option. Small markings that have a serious personal meaning are differnet, but seeing people with a Superman is tatto is painful.

In terms tattoos on women, anything in bulk is gross. Women are the beautiful part of the species, shouldn't mess with their skin. Growth zones should be avoided. Nothing looks worse than a stretched, then shrunk tattoo.

I have no emotional baggage... but I am looking to get my sleeve done after the weight loss. I like japanese art and want it on my arm, simple as that!

This is completely anecdotal, but I find poeple who dont have display pictures on this site usually have some emotional baggage and insecurities.

MyTime1985

I LOVE my tattoos and I don't care if other people don't.

"The only difference between Tattooed People and Non-Tattooed People is —- Tattooed People don’t care if you’re NOT tattooed"

:bigsmile:

bossymomd

I don't care for tattoos that are so close together that you have to stare at a persons arm or whatever to see what it is.....that's not art and can be uncomfortable for the viewer and the person with the tattoo. Do it with class, nicely sized tattoos that have beautiful detail and can be understood by whoever is looking at them is, in my opinion, is better than a bunch of muddled closely connected tattoos that are just covering you up and not enhancing your look. jmho!

fanceegirl75

I love them when they are done with class & grace & style. If I didn't work in such a "Coporate America" environment I would go full sleeve. I've got my right shoulder front, back & top done. I'm thinking about going 1/4 or 1/2 sleeve so I can still cover when needed.

monroe61

My husband has sleeves and they are sexy as heck...to me

I would love one but I think it would stress me out knowing that they were visible to everyone else...LOL...I have 6 currently and want lots more but I also work as an office manager and I don't think my boss would really mind but I do know he doesn't really care for them.

Either way I would love a sleeve and I think certain women can pull the look off and look very sexy! Besides when I'm 80 I could care less what it looks like...I'm sure I will be old and crotchity like every other old lady and not give a rats patooty! haha

cglyfer

I have learned in my many years that people are going to judge no matter what you do...gain weight people judge...lose weight people judge...wear "comfy" clothing out people judge...wear a suit and tie...you get the picture...

Most places have a organizational policy as for hiring and it applies to everyone...so there is a standard that everyone must meet...

I think that tattoos are like freedom of speach...they are your expressions...say what you want!!! As long as you stay within your company guidelines there is no limit...

Just my $.02 worth!

chrishgt4

This is completely anecdotal, but I find people who are heavily inked (sleave, etc.) usually do so due to some kind of emotional baggage and insecurity. A drive to be non-confromist, because conformity was never really an option. Small markings that have a serious personal meaning are differnet, but seeing people with a Superman is tatto is painful.

In terms tattoos on women, anything in bulk is gross. Women are the beautiful part of the species, shouldn't mess with their skin. Growth zones should be avoided. Nothing looks worse than a stretched, then shrunk tattoo.

I know I'm only one person - and also I'm note heavily tattooed - but once I've saved up for my sleeve I will be - and the only reason I want one is cos I think they look cool.

It isn't to make up for my bad childhood or whatever. It's purely aesthetic.

kb455

I have a female friend who is COVERED in tattoos from head to foot. Even her neck and every single finger is tattooed. While its waaaay too much for me, (I have just 3) she can pull it off. She's beautiful and the tattoos (in my opinion) just make her look sort of exotic.

jlewis2896

The reality is, though, that having visible body modifications will affect one's employment opportunities.

This depends entirely on what employment you take...

It affects the opportunities out there, regardless of which path one might pursue.

I have a supervisor position with the federal government and I have never once been asked to cover mine up.

I work in medical, and I know many people who have been asked to cover theirs. Certain surgeons will refuse to work with you in the OR if they don't approve of your tattoos.

As far as stigmas -- I think nowadays the stigma is less based solely on the tattoos and more on the person's overall appearance and attitude. I live in rural Wisconsin, and I am tattooed, however I have never received negative looks or feedback because I generally dress and carry myself very conservatively.

However, my loud, outgoing husband is covered in tattoos, has stretched lobes and multiple piercings. He dresses casually -- Dropkick Murphy's tee and baggy shorts -- and he has actually had people approach him and demand to know why he would 'do that to himself'.

loseslarge

This is completely anecdotal, but I find people who are heavily inked (sleave, etc.) usually do so due to some kind of emotional baggage and insecurity. A drive to be non-confromist, because conformity was never really an option. Small markings that have a serious personal meaning are differnet, but seeing people with a Superman is tatto is painful.

In terms tattoos on women, anything in bulk is gross. Women are the beautiful part of the species, shouldn't mess with their skin. Growth zones should be avoided. Nothing looks worse than a stretched, then shrunk tattoo.

I have no emotional baggage... but I am looking to get my sleeve done after the weight loss. I like japanese art and want it on my arm, simple as that!

This is completely anecdotal, but I find poeple who dont have display pictures on this site usually have some emotional baggage and insecurities.

My lack of pic is more a function of desired anonymity. I don't facebook, twitter or do any of that BS. Its a work thing more than anything.I joined this site becasue it was a decent app and a few times a topic has caught my interest so I posted.

I would agree that employment opportunities seem to be inversely proportional to number of visible tattoos. I have a friend who just did a full throat tatoo, and some facial. It creates issues for him - including dating.

giselle9938

I just very recently got a tattoo and i think its beautiful. it connects my to my family and heritage and I absolutely love art and tattooing is my favorite permanent art form.

Love it!

cowchick4_fun

i so agree with you. i have tats of my own and 1 i designed my self with my brother. all mine have meaning to them so its not a tat of meaning nothing it all has meaning. and all can be covered but 1 small one i have between my thumb and my pointer finger and that you cant even notice unless your staring at my hand. art is beautiful and i love it. it lets one express to others of who they really are and in my opinion if others want to judge because of what one has on or looks like then so be it. they should be the ones to look in the mirror and criticize their own self. i know everyone has been judged at one point or another in their life and i dont think anyone likes it. my brother does tatoos and he got me into them. i love them and if thats what one loves then so be it. for those of you that dont care for them great thats who you are but dont go around thinking people are trashy and dark or not a good person because thats how they express who they are. i love tats and as the saying goes you get 1 tatoo no matter how big or how small you are addicted to them.

PayneAS

I am interested in hearing what people think about a full-sleeve tattoo on a girl.

My husband surprised me a month or so ago when he said that he thought it would be hot if I got a sleeve (or half-sleeve). I was just casually mentioning to him that I had a few tattoos that I wanted to have done. I don't think I would have the guts to do it but it was nice to hear.

melainemelaine

I love mine :flowerforyou:

knitfastpurlyoung

Well sure, if you want to throw the net really wide! But, from my point of view, I'm lucky enough to have a career in an industry that is a creative one, and the opportunities in that industry are not going to change because of a tattoo, regardless of size or placement.

I do understand your point though, and there is always the possibility that the industry I work in may one-day not be there, but firstly I think it is extremely unlikely that that will happen, and secondly if it did, it is very unlikely that I would seek employment in an industry so vastly different to my current one.

Thank you for raising the point.

It sounds like it won't hinder your job prospects given your creative field. What will family/friends say or think? Do you care what they will say? That would probably be my other consideration outside of career.

I would certainly talk to them and listen to what they have to say. Someone very wise, that I cannot remember right now, said that even the dumbest guy in the room can come up with a good idea, so you should listen to everyone.

Would I be concerned if they hated it? I suppose I would. That said, my sister has a heap and I have none and no one battered an eye lid, but her's are much smaller. A full-sleeve would perhaps get a different reaction as it is so much bigger.

prettytothinkso

And just to be clear, I am talking beautifully-crafted tattoos by artists. I am interested in hearing what people think about a full-sleeve tattoo on a girl. Does the stigma still exist? What assumptions would you make about a lady with full-sleeve?
Over to you...

I personally like sleeves on girls.

Stigma schmigma.

I'd assume she likes tattoos....

phillbis

I like them. I work for a company that doesn't have a policy on tattoos. I see more and more interview candidates including women with tattoos. I don't see a problem with it. Tattoos for the most part such are personal expression how could you judge a person for having them without knowing their story. People are too concerned with other people's lives and should focus on their own.

heylatimer

Artfully done tatoos and sleeves are nice but... it is just window dressing. The ink isnt the draw - it is the mystery behind it - I want to hear the story.
Piercings are ok too but stretched earlobes. That is just plain nasty!!!

AlliecoreXX

I don't care in the least if anyone thinks of my tattoos as a "stigma", and I rarely even notice if anyone is looking at them. My tattoos are all hightly symbolic and I got them because they make me happy and they tell parts of my life story. IMO, tattoos express individuality. I admire them on anyone. I'll be finishing out my sleeve soon and don't care a bit what anyone else thinks about it.

XXXMinnieXXX

I wouldn't make assumptions about anyone and each to their own, but I don't really find them attractive on girls, and not all men can carry them off and then it depends if its a good one. I do feel sadly it would effect many womens careers, although I don't agree with this... X

knitfastpurlyoung

jrboyles is speaking my mind. Tattoos are completely and utterly disgusting. What's more, I would never hire someone with visible tattoos.

Thank you for your contribution. Honest opinions are welcome! Would you mind expanding on your point?

I'm curious as to why a subjective opinion about someone's appearance matters to an employer to that degree, if all other prerequisites for that job are met - qualifications, personality, attitude, presentation and hygiene for example.

Thank you in advance.

I can tell you for my job, we contract to very large, very conservative countries world-wide. The whole issue is 'how will the client perceive the tat?' To keep that from being an issue when someone has to travel to foreign countries or even just within the country to some of the more conservative companies, we just are not allowed to have them. I have been with this firm for 8 years, none of my clients allowed their employees to have visible tattoos either.

Interesting. Culturally are the perceptions of tattoos different for different countries do you know? And if so, do you know why?

I still don't think we have got to the bottom of why someone would consider it "disgusting" as another poster wrote. I understand that someone could have that opinion, but I don't understand what is motivating that opinion.

All4Tris

I love tattoos... but only get them in places where they can be covered. I am getting another one once I get to my goal weight... it'll be right under my neck.

BritSchuler

I have three tattoos, one on the back of my neck, one on my lower back, and one on my foot. I only regret getting the one on my lower back because it turned out so bad!! However, I LOVE my other two tattoos and would like to get more and get my lower back fixed. I personally would never get a full sleeve tattoo, but one of my friends is working one getting one and I don't have a problem with her doing it. I think it looks great sometimes, as others have said, as long as the work looks good. No problem with anyone getting tattoos anywhere. Well.. Except for when people try to tattoo their eyes and lips, that sorta freaks me out.. Lol.