Tattoos. Curious

cmm7303

In the last few decades, tattooing has become more common. I have tattoos on both my ankles (one is covering up a surgery scar, one has my kids' birthdays on it), a Celtic wedding ring tattoo between my shoulder blades (matches one on my husband of nine years), and a HUGE back piece that should be completed this month (designed by my hubby and artist).

As a sign-language interpreter and (soon-to-be) teacher, I've never had them be a problem in this country as a shirt and socks cover them up rather well, and they aren't on my arms or face (arms are a problem specific in my field). If anyone has noticed them, they haven't mentioned it. When I was volunteering in Ghana, the kids there were fascinated by them (partially because tattoos in color show up so well on my pale skin, and partially because they are verboten in that culture, so seeing them on the teacher was a thrill). They pulled my ankle-length skirt to my knees and my collar down in the back to see them, I explained the purpose and reasoning behind each one, and then we moved on with our lessons.

tdcibilly

here's a pic of one of my tattoos

tdcibilly

i have also got 12 more

cmm7303

The fact that everyone says, "mine can be covered up" tells you everything you need to know. People always judge others - how you dress, how you speak, how you look - don't think they aren't judging you by your tattoos. Blue collar jobs, I think they are fine, white collar jobs, not so much.

Yeah, it tells you we know there are judgmental tools out in the world. If you've noticed, the responses are from teachers, bank managers and the like, as well as hairdressers, nurses and artists.

BarbWhite09

Got my first tattoo when I was 17...None of mine are visible, so they don't cause any problems with employers. I'm also going into a profession thats a little relaxed on body modification.

cmm7303

Do any doctors in your office have tats?
Thanks

My OB/GYN has a few, as does my dentist. Of course, this IS Portland.

Starqueg

I have four and they're all able to be hidden. I'm in graduate school for education, but when I am in the classroom with kids, two of my tattoos are visible. The kids ask me about them or tell me about their parents' tattoos. Of course, this is a prekindergarten classroom, so it would be really different if I worked in a high school.
I got my tattoos when I was between 18 and 21, and I'm 29 now. I'm not worried about being employable, unless I decide I want to work in a Jewish day school. There, I'd just wear sleeves to my elbows and no one would be able to see them. However, I prefer not having to cover them up on a daily basis. Dressing to hide my tattoos is a pain in the summer.

sarahkatara

I have 5 tattoos currently and am planning at least two more. Here's what I have and where. I'll explain how they affect things like job interviews too.

1. Fairy sitting on a lotus flower- upper back, center


2. A cartoon penguin- top of right foot


3. Four footprints- on the outside of my left calf (small)

4. Tree of Life- back of right calf (goes from ankle to just below the knee)


5. An eye- inside of right wrist


So, the one on my foot, the one on the outside of my calf and the one on my back are all in places that do not show (the footprints on my leg are so small that they don't draw attention to themselves whatsoever). These are obviously NOT a hindrance in the job world. The one of my wrist and the back of my leg are the two out of all of them that even make me think twice. When I interview for jobs, I wear a bracelet on my right arm that is wide enough to cover most of the tattoo on my wrist. It just needs to cover it enough to not be the thing you notice when you shake my hand. That's easy. I used to work at Starbucks and they do not allow any visible tattoos, among many things! I simply used a sweat wristband on days that I worked. The tree on the back of my leg, though large, can be easily covered with pants or a long skirt.

That being said, I have seen a shift in the acceptance of tattoos in the workplace in the last two years or so. They are becoming more and more acceptable, probably due to the sheer number of people with tattoos. Where I work now, tattoos are allowed to show- there is nothing in our dress code that prohibits them or states that we must cover them up. That's one thing I love about my workplace and i don't like much! I have managers with full sleeves on both arms working next to conservative people with no tattoos or piercings, etc. It does not hinder productivity, so why should it be an issue? As long as it's not directly offensive to any group or individual for any reason, tattoos should be seen for what they are- a personal expression of unique emotions and thoughts. Mine all represent something very important to me. Live and let live!

TaintedVampyre

I have a wrist tattoo. And unless my palm is facing upward nobody would know I had it.
I'm a records management assistant and I've had my tattoo for about 3 years now and even working in a school environment I was commended for having something very unique because you don't see a lot of teachers with visible tattoos.

mscrumbyy

I have 7, 6 on my feet/legs and one on my ribs. I'm not sure that I want anymore but either way they'll still be in places I can easily hide should I need to.

enewsome2

I have one tattoo on my back, so I am a bad example. (Since I don't wear sleeveless dresses to work anyway). I work in a hospital, more specifically, mostly the ER.

However, I know a lot of people who work in the medical and/ or law enforcement/ EMT field with a lot of tattoos. In my hospital, they are very well accepted by the staff. A couple years back, upper management had everyone cover up, however, they don't anymore.

There are, in fact, doctors with visible tattoos. And one lady doctor with purple and blue hair. She is a really good doctor, too.

In my area (Salt Lake City, Utah, yes, Utah) tattoos are very well accepted. Especially for people working in my field/area.

My husband's best friend has sleeves on both arms and gets jobs easily. He mostly does physical labor.

And I have a girlfriend with a sleeve who works as a CNA and doesn't have a problem.

I do see your concern, though,even 5 years ago I thought that having tattoos etc would hinder my chances of finding jobs. But I don't think that's true in my area.

colonial96

I have a tribal cat on my right hip - I got it when I was 32 (I'm 34 now). I'm an accountant for a Defense Contractor, but mine is always covered, so I've not had a problem. I don't plan on wearing a bikini to work any time soon

InnerFatGirl

I got my first tattoo on my 18th birthday and next week, three days before my 19th, I will be going for my 7th

No problems with jobs and I have been working consistantly for 3 years :flowerforyou:

speednut

Tats are cool. Mine are on both of my biceps so they are easily hidden. I am in sales so I have to be careful not to offend anyone. Tats have become mainstream now with the younger people but not so cool with old farts my age.
Sometimes I see younger people that make really poor choices on tattoos such as the old spider web on the neck or vulgar words tattoo'd on their hands.

stephc0711

I have 5 so far, all but one are hidden when I wear work clothes, the 5th is easily covered, but is so small most people don't notice it. So it didn't affect the interviewing process at all. As for how old they are, I got the first one when I was 18, then one at 19, two at 22, and one at 23. I love them all. Each has special meaning for me.