<p>Place me in the no thank you catergory. They are just so unattractive- to me.</p>
<p>Interesting to read the responses on here about tattos and piercings, and the response should tell people who want to get them about the potential risks when interviewing for a job and so forth. I think judging people by visible tattoos and body piercings is as stupid as judging someone for having long hair or short hair, a beard or mustache, manicured nails or not, etc, it is judging a book by its cover. It also depends on the job as well, as someone said, if you are out trying to sell a client in the financial industry on your trading system or an executive of a standard company, those kind of things would be a distraction, it is the nature of the job, but it depends on where you work. If you work in ‘young’ industries, like tech, working for a startup, you would see a lot of tatoos and such. If you aren’t client facing, then a lot of people don’t care, and especially as the younger generations grow into jobs, who have grown up around piercings and tatoos, it won’t be as big a deal as the old farts of my generation and older move on. </p>
<p>With piercings, it is no big deal, unless you get your ear stretched or something, most piercings can be taken out and no one cares, men have pierced ears or have had them, it is visible and as far as I can tell no one cares, no one is going over you like that unless they are some kind of nut, and who the heck wants to work for someone like that? If getting tatoos and piercings is important to you and you want to display them and be yourself, as long as you understand the consequences, that if you want to be an investment banker or corporate accountant open tatoos and piercings would be a big negative and you should think twice about showing them…the guy who runs the shop now featured in “NY INK” on tv won’t do tatoos that cannot be covered up because he understands that…and they can be for the most part, unless you get them on your face or hands. </p>
<p>From my own perspectives, I find tatoos can be pretty attractive if done well, some of them are stunning artwork, and many of the people who get them are interesting people. Yeah, a lot of it is stupid kids going out and doing what their friends are, it is a fad and quite honestly when I see guys with tribal bands on their arms or girls with cutesy little roses and such it does turn me off, because I suspect it doesn’t mean anything to them; conversely I have seen young people with a lot of them who it means something to them from what I can tell…</p>
<p>A couple of years ago the Mensa journal had a spread on 'young Mensans" and there was a girl from the capital region of NY state who was featured, she is a musician, has tatoos and a nose stud and such and you should have seen the responses in the letters from supposedly intelligent people, calling her everything but a jezebel and anarchist and unwashed and so forth (I especially loved one guy, who wrote in how his daughter was all so respectable, she always dressed conservatively, never went outrageous, and was going to be an investment banker,/…never bothering to think that many would judge his daughter as a cold hearted, greedy yuppie who only cared about herself for going into a profession that crashes the financial system and causes millions to lose jobs…simply because of her profession). I met the young woman in question, and if she was in my field, I would not be afraid to hire her, she was head and shoulder above most of the people I interview who are all so staid and normal and have the intelligence and creativity of a brick…</p>
<p>I have a tatoo on my ankle and I remember my sister telling me how it will look bad when I get old, how when the skin sags, etc, etc, how will I feel, and I looked at her and said “hopefuly this and other things are signs of a life well spent but not in boring stasis”. As a wise philosopher said, when you get to the end of the road, you don’t want to arrive all safe and preserved, you want to arrive spent, having done everything you could to enjoy it to the maximum, and say “man, that was one heck of a ride”…if I ever get more tattoos, or actually get up the courage to get pierced, I can look at them as a sign I tried to live life on my own terms.</p>
<p>For me don’t much like them but it’s more why do something so permanent</p>
<p>I get bored and while a wee hummingbird or butterfly on my hip wouldn’t be such a bad thing, eh, why bother</p>
<p>Some tattoos are beautiful art,and it gives some amazing artists a chance to sell their art. For me a really pretty tat is somehow better then an ugly gun or bleeding Jesus or stars up and down the arms</p>
<p>I think for me I don’t judge that they have a tattoo, its more where is it, what is it, how’s the quality, who the person is etc. Sadly I judge a persons intelligence more than their good or badness from their tattoos.</p>
<p>My daughters friend got a pinup girl type tattoo on her side, it’s like barbie doll size…is just stupid looking</p>
<p>Her other friend has three tiny waves on her foot, she’s a big surfer girl, so the suble tattoo isn’t so bad</p>
<p>I hate the tattoo on the back down low, and dislike arm tattoos on women</p>
<p>At my gym theirs a lady with a snake crawling up her leg ick</p>
<p>“Wow, some parents here are pretty shallow.”</p>
<p>Which is more shallow?</p>
<p>Kid who thinks spending money on a (literally) skin-deep ink blot is a profound expression of his/her identity (whatever the heck that means).</p>
<p>Parent who thinks it’s silly and wasteful to permanently brand yourself with the fad du jour?</p>
<p>Aside my discomfort at looking at some of the whole double-sleeve-creeping-onto-the-neck-and-face variety of tattooing favored by some of current generation (that and eyebrow rings and tongue studs–ewww, gross and unsanitary), all I can say is that the more things change, the more things stay the same. I remember when long hair on boys and men was a statement of sorts, as was a male sporting a single earring in a “certain” ear. I remember when getting a cartilage piercing was considered “out there”. Now I know a lot of women get double or triple earlobe or cartilage piercings and it’s like no big deal anymore. These things have become, thanks to reality TV and celebs sporting their new raw tattoos every week in the tabloids, more fashion statement than rebellion. If enough upper management and policy wonks are sporting tattoos and piercings within the next couple of decades, acquired during their “youthful indiscretions” phase, nobody will even care anymore. And if they still do, a lot of people are going to be paying big money to plastic surgeons using new and improved technologies to undo the permanent effects of those said indiscretions. </p>
<p>All I can say to the current generation is to think carefully about their body modifications and adornments: it may look good on smooth, tight, youthful skin now, but how’s a skull or a rock band logo gonna work when not only does nobody remember the significance anymore, but it starts to go all slack and wrinkly?</p>
<p>I have no interest in the sleeves and other large tattoos but I’ll admit that when I see people with them, I’m a little jealous of whatever it is they have that allows the to do it. I assume it takes self confidence but maybe it is a form of hiding behind something - like bangs. I could never be that daring and I guess I wish I were more daring. </p>
<p>I think there is some “classism” in judging tattoos and that was the point I was trying to bring out earlier. It’s not just the aesthetic because there are some ugly Hermes scarves and Gucci bags out there that may as well be permanently attached to some people. </p>
<p>I guess I judge tanning the same way some people judge tattoos. It does permanent damage, is unhealthy and reflects incredibly bad judgment. My opinion of someone will change if I find out they have a standing appointment at a tanning salon.</p>
<p>When I see a women with a tatoo I envision what it will look like on her seventy year old body and I cringe. Tatoos on crepe paper skin will never make a pretty picture. Tatoos remind me of slavery and bondage. I don’t understand why so many young people revere nature, yet want to mar something as beautiful as the human body with dyes and inks. Tatoos point to this decade as much as the mullet hair cut does to the 1980’s. In fact they are a trend that has peaked.
My husband’s company will not hire anyone with a tatoo visable anywhere outside the bounds of a short sleeved shirt. They have lost some good potential employees but they don’t care because they have so many applicants.</p>
<p>For the poster who said that the tattoo she was planning on getting was a tribute to her late grandmother; I would like to say that there are other far more touching ways to honor someone who has passed. I personally would never hire anyone in my line of work who had a visable tattoo and I wouldn’t care if it was a tribute or just a tat viewed as a piece of art. I purchase art that either hangs on my walls or sits in a lovely dedicated spot in my home. The idea of putting something permanate on the body at a young age specifically tells me that the person did not have the foresight to think about where their life may be heading. For the person who is mid age and gets a tat I see them as sort of a rebel but I don’t care to know what they are rebelling about.</p>
<p>Most folks my age who went through the 70’s and backpacked through Europe stopped to get a tattoo in Amsterdam. They all regret it and feel like that tattoo is nothing more than a remembrance of a time they don’t even remember. I know most of my friends all feel the same about ink and most of us feel the same about piercings (outside of single piercings on the ear) When I see 20 somethings with tramp stamps I think just that. There is nothing good that could come of a tattoo but there are some negatives that could arise and for what that is worth most people would be discouraged from getting one. </p>
<p>I also agree with another poster who mentioned that most people in the upper middle class and upper class would never think to permanently alter their body just on the possibility that the tattoo would cast them in some type of negative light somewhere in their future. I consider myself very up to date on fashion and design yet tattoos hold NO sense of beauty or art in my eyes. Our bodies are a work of art and at age 50 and up a sagging or faded tattoo is just another reminder of our foolish youth.</p>
<p>A student here, but I have a question directed at all participants. </p>
<p>A lot of posters mention “negative consequences” that will arise in the future. Aside from disliking your tattoo after a while (so what if it sags? It’s still there, that’s the point), aren’t the negative associations with tattoos just someone else’s opinions? </p>
<p>That people are immature and didn’t think things through, that’s your perspective. That doesn’t mean they are a rebel or childish. Just because you don’t agree with something doesn’t mean it condemns it’s proponents to a life of shame. People only cover up their tattoos in “shame” to hide from the ridicule and disdain of others. Well then shouldn’t we all be the same, so then no one can judge?</p>
<p>What if people started saying negative things about NON-tattoo wearers? Would you be offended? No, because you think you’re “above” people with tattoos (even if it’s not intentional, that’s a VERY strong vibe that you give off, even if you say you could care less but you still dislike tattoos) (hence the “upper middle class and upper class” people would NEVER get something permanent like a tattoo, God forbid)?</p>
<p>I’m not a proponent of tattoos, and I’m not an opponent. I don’t think sleeves and full-back/body/neck tattoos are attractive or pleasing to the eye AT ALL, but if my doctor came in with visible tattoos, I wouldn’t request a different one. </p>
<p>I guess it’s the differing of generation/culture.</p>
<p>I have one daughter who wanted a tattoo, and she said that after thinking she doesn’t want to mess with the body she works so hard tonkeep fit and healthy. My other daughter says she wants to get a wee too toe in the shape of a he or star that almost looks like a birthmark, but smaller the a dime. I told her if she is considering that to get a permanent marker and draw it on and see if she still wants it. She won’t get it. She is so paranoid about anything bad posted on her Facebook she won’t actually get ink.</p>
<p>Ink is also an identyfiying mark for law enforcement.</p>
<p>I don’t particularly care for tattoos or multiple piercings, but I don’t have the visceral reaction to them that some do.</p>
<p>One tattoo I actually really loved was the tattoo Dallas Maverick Jason “Jet” Terry got prior to the 2010 basketball season. He had the NBA championship trophy tattooed to his bicep as a kind of prophecy (or motivator). At the time, I thought he must be crazy, and thought it was rather an embarrassment, but when they actually won the trophy, it sure looked beautiful to me!</p>
<p>I’m sixteen. I got my first ear piercing when I was about 10, and I got my second ear lobe piercing the summer before 9th grade. My mom took me to both piercing sessions, and was in fact supportive, even encouraging. I really want to get my nose pierced the summer before senior year. Frankly, my opinion is that I wouldn’t want to be working somewhere so stuffy and starchy that a nose piercing would prevent me from getting a job there. It’s discrimination, and it’s absolutely ridiculous. A responsible, competent person will keep their piercings clean and well-kept with rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide. I have never gotten an infection in my ear piercings, and if I get my nose pierced, I plan for the same. </p>
<pre><code>Long story short- don’t condemn people by what they look like. Didn’t you learn not to judge a book by it’s cover?
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<p>Maytal, there are a LOT of places where wearing a nose ring will keep you from getting the job (even more so than having a tattoo), many of them NOT particularly “stuffy and starchy”. You will be really limiting yourself by making it a condition that whomever hires you accept a nose piercing. That said, we all choose our battles, and this may be one you want to fight. In some careers, it wouldn’t be an issue at all.</p>
<p>I have to agree with the above poster, doesn’t mean I agree that it is just cause for disqualification.</p>
<p>If I kind of squint, the spider veins on my legs look like tattoos.</p>
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<p>I hope you stand to inherit a lot of money when you grow up. Because, depending on which profession you plan to pursue, you could find your job prospects quite limited. </p>
<p>You don’t seem to understand that most companies or employers want to project a certain image to their customers and business partners. And that image seldom includes facial hardware. </p>
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<p>It may be discrimination, but it’s perfectly legal discrimination. Nose-ring wearers, like smokers, are not a protected class. Firing them or refusing to hire them for that reason is perfectly legal.</p>
<p>Let’s say one’s son heads off for a interview at a very successful startup. You ensure he shows up clean cut in a button down shirt and khakis. The interviewer shows up with tattoos and facial piercings in jeans and sandals. When the interviewee gets his rejection he hears through the grapevine that it was because he was did not have tattoos or facial piercings and they felt he would not fit in. Would you consider that discrimination?</p>
<p>I have more than a few friends in the job hunt these days. They tell me their conservative look and age is a detriment. I’d really check out the field before telling young people they will be unemployable with facial piercings and tattoos.</p>
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<p>Who has actually said that? In post after post, I have read it COULD be a detriment in CERTAIN FIELDS. I’d wager that in jobs which require a college degree, you are far more likely to be denied a job for being covered in tats and facial piercings than for not having them. However, as has been said umpteen times, it depends on the career and the region whether it will be a factor.</p>
<p>The only tattoo I would ever get is the Olympic rings, if I make the team.</p>
<p>^^crunchyfrog, go for it!!! I approve of Olympic rings tattoos. When I see one, I know what it means.</p>
<p>“A responsible, competent person will keep their piercings clean and well-kept with rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide”</p>
<p>^^WRONG. You should not get a piercing if this is how you think it is supposed to be kept sterile. You are supposed to use benzalkonium chloride solution and soap and water. Both rubbing alcohol and H2O2 damage healthy skin around the piercing and that can lead to bigger problems.</p>