<p>I’m glad that you brought this up. I do not think this issue has been mentioned. States have differnent policies on tattoos and body piercing when it comes to blood donation. Typically, a 12-month waiting period is required after each tattoo/piercing. In my neck of the woods, for example, a person with tattoos has to be cleared by the blood center to be eligible to donate blood.</p>
<p>Speaking of the blood banks, I have been unable to donate blood since I tested positive for HepB ( have no idea where I was exposed, it was shortly after I weaned D2, I had never been significantly ill and no one else in the family is positive), however, according to a letter I received, they now have a new test which can detect the difference between being a carrier & having antibodies.</p>
<p>HisGraceFillsMe, no, the clients aren’t going to run screaming from the room. But as unfair as it is, some are going to look askance at someone who doesn’t fit their model of what a professional should look like. I’ve read of people complaining and feeling uncomfortable about a waiter with tattoos or heavy piercings. They finished the meal, and didn’t return to the restaurant afterwards. Others might have similar feelings when discussing how to allocate their assets with a financial advisor with a tattoo peeking out from under a collar. Or consider how an attorney might come across to a jury when the attorney has multiple facial piercings. </p>
<p>Public perceptions will change with time. That’s because young people who do have discreet piercings and tattoos will get good jobs, move up the ladder, then have the seniority to wear a nose piercing without anyone being able to challenge them. That’s exactly the situation you’ve seen at your work: your supervisors have piercings. </p>
<p>I work at a fairly accepting place that’s incredibly relaxed about many personal appearance issues. Even so, one talented, hardworking, personable colleague looking for a first job (after a Caltech BS and a Brown PhD) made sure to grow out the bright blue streaks in her hair in time to present a staid appearance at interviews.</p>
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<p>Actually, this is not quite correct.</p>
<p>32 out of 50 states current regulate tattoo facilities (I am in favor of this). If you get a tattoo in any one of these states, there is no waiting period (I donated blood about 3 weeks after getting my tattoo), at least in American Red Cross facilities. If you get a tattoo in any of the other states, there is a 12 month waiting period as the state does not regulate or inspect safe tattooing procedures such as disposable needles and ink or autoclave sterilization procedures for equipment.</p>
<p>I own a retail store, and while a small, tasteful visible tattoo would not be an impediment to hiring, I would never hire anyone with extensive tattoos, gauges, or facial piercings. Why? Because I personally find them ugly and distracting (in the case of gauges and facial piercings, nauseating), and if I do, I figure a lot of other people must, too. Not saying there’s any right or wrong to one’s aesthetic choices, just that I don’t want my customers repelled by my employees or distracted from the process of shopping. My employees also can’t wear belly shirts, torn jeans or short shorts–to me this all falls into the category of adhering to a dress code (and I can guarantee there’s no legal issue here whatsoever). If kids want to limit their employment opportunities, it’s okay by me, just don’t apply for a summer job or part-time college job at my place.</p>
<p>You are right that it is not quite correct because the last two sentences in my post switched places. I was talking about what I know about local practices in the last 2 sentences. The “no waiting period” applies to piercings done in licensed facilities, the “12-month waiting period” applies to unlicensed piercings (like the ones done at home). Tattoos need to be cleared by the blood donation center.</p>
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<p>When CEOs will start wearing nose rings, HS kids will declare body art uncool. Gourmetmom’s son got this one right. :)</p>
<p>I see the whole tat thing going out of style just like everything else does over time. Removal places are booming. And I would bet the number of folks with visible tats at the major firms listed is TINY and either very small/discrete or they just were not noticed or came later.</p>
<p>Hey, lookit this: Lachlan Murdoch, Rupert’s oldest son, has a tattoo around his left forearm:</p>
<p>[url=<a href=“http://dailydish.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451c45669e201539033709a970b-popup]GT_LACHLAN_110727[/url”>GT_LACHLAN_110727]GT_LACHLAN_110727[/url</a>]</p>
<p>I think we can officially declare tattoos uncool. :D</p>
<p>HGFM: I have to say I think student affairs is an odd little bubble. Probably the only job that I ever have and ever will feel comfortable wearing my eyebrow ring to the interview. (I got the job, both times.)</p>
<p>I definitely think this is a generational thing, to a certain extent. I find tattoos and piercings (except gauges) very aesthetically pleasing, when done well, though I have to admit I see more bad tattoos than good ones. Personally, I have my eyebrow pierced and a large ring through the conch of my ear, and largely people don’t seem to care. I’ve actually gotten a few compliments on the piercings, though I did once get a very rude reaction from a school bus driver. </p>
<p>I do have one question for those who have expressed distaste for piercings. I’ve had my eyebrow piercing for over 7 years and my cartilage since October. I always take out the eyebrow ring for interviews and leave in the cartilage. I do have small visible holes on my eyebrows from the piercing. Although it’s done and I wouldn’t change it, would you even notice something that small, and would the cartilage piercing put you off?</p>
<p>You can have your entire back or chest tattooed and no one at work or clients have to know about it. Also a small tattoo or piercing that is discrete is not likely to attract that much attention. Anything that stands out too much in a conservative environment can offend someone. Not saying it’s right, but it can and does happen. There is no sense in taking that chance unless you truly don’t care enough about it. Just be aware that it can be an issue. </p>
<p>My friend is a criminal defense attorney who has her tongue pierced and some other piercings. She finds it very useful when appearing in front of certain juries, but out they come when she is in a more conservative setting. Yes, it can make a difference, so don’t fool yourself in thinking it never does. Also, that you may not know anyone who has gotten hepatitus or other infections due to piercings or tattoos does not mean that it does not increase the chances of getting them. It does. Just know what your risks are in getting these things before doing it.</p>
<p>I am in NYC quite a bit and see every type of person dressed in the craziest, most outrageous attire, wild hair dos and colors, tattoos and piercings galore. But when I step into DH’s corporate offices or certain other business establishments, all of the sudden, it’s back to the suits and conservatism. Things haven’t changed much at all in those building. Maybe the tattoos are hidden and the studs put away, but they sure aren’t on display. And when I go to many functions, I feel like this is Ninja land with all of the black. Even in the artsy circles, there is a lot of black. I feel like Rainbow Brite and quite out of it when I wear some of my wardrobe. It’s as bad as Catholic school.</p>
<p>Tens of thousands of American sailors who fought in World War II had tattoos. This is not a generational thing, but perhaps a social class one. Body art has been around for thousands of years, in dozens of cultures, and on every continent. (In some places, it was reserved for the upper classes.) </p>
<p>I’m not into it myself, but then I’m rather “plain” generally speaking.</p>
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<p>Well, no one said they WERE bad, unprofessional or uneducated. It’s an aesthetic reaction. I have people working for me who have (visible) tattoos and piercing (including one guy who has a nose ring and those grommet things in the ears). They do a great job. I’m not taking them in front of clients, however. I need the staff that I take to clients to look reasonably sophisticated in their personal style and image. Again, it’s like a mullet haircut or a Hello Kitty handbag. Doesn’t make you a bad person, but it makes me question your aesthetic taste.</p>
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<p>And I work in a field / environment where the norm is business casual, and in which it’s fine to show personal style and flair. But people tend to do that with jewelry, accessories, etc. rather than tattoos. </p>
<p>Having said that, I don’t particularly <em>care</em> if someone else has a tattoo. That’s their problem, not mine.</p>
<p>How you clothe, style and present yourself IS part of what you’re trying to project about yourself to the world. It seems disingenuous to say that a tattoo is self-expression (which of course it is, like any clothing / makeup / jewelry choice) but then you’re not sure why other people wouldn’t just ignore it and focus on you. I send a signal about myself if I wear a headband, sweater set, and a pearl circle pin; I send a different signal about myself if I wear my hair long and flowy and slightly tousled with funky earrings and a Bohemian look; and I send a different signal if I wear tight jeans, a black concert t-shirt and multiple tattoos / facial piercings.</p>
<p>^^ I think that’s true, but I think many of us (myself included) send very mixed messages. Many of my running friends have tattoos celebrating certain races or accomplishments, but dress conservatively and are doctors, lawyers, financial analysts etc. Most of the tattoos aren’t visible at work, but female ones on ankles or arms might be. The ones I usually like aren’t very big and don’t seem to affect things one way or another in the business world for their wearers.</p>
<p>I’m fine with people with tats and piercings, with ONE exception! I can’t stand tongue piercings, and there is nothing more yucky than having a waiter playing with his/her tongue ring (not touching with his/her hand, but moving tongue around…) while I am ordering my food… :)</p>
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<p>Well that’s the problem with humans, isn’t it? They react to all kinds of things, tatoos & piercings being just two items on a long list of possibilities. A business owner has to take that into consideration in order to give their business every opportunity to succeed. If they have a choice in hiring between several equally qualified applicants (very common in today’s economy), the presence of body art could well be the deciding factor. </p>
<p>If you have a unique skill then your body art won’t keep you from being hired. But if you are, like most people, just one of many qualified applicants, then you have to move away from the “just get over it” and accept that you may miss out on some opportunities.</p>
<p>Had a conversation yesterday w/ a car dealer, wondering where my sales guy’d gone. Told me, they’d discovered a visible tat, and he had to go. Not a dealership deal, but a corporate deal. </p>
<p>Yea, we’re “free” to express ourselves however we want. But none of those expressions are free. The problem with tattoos is they carry heavy connotation for many, including even the military. Debate or ague whatever we like. Do whatever we like. But realize the risk of the piper coming to collect one day. She always seems to show up.</p>
<p>And the notion that having a special skill or expertise might trump the policy and/or the impression is both naive (and/or ignorant) and risky. Unless one aspires to be a tattoo artist. Now there’s a calling.</p>
<p>While I’m confident there may have been a few, while I know and knew hundreds of WWII vets, never met a one where “MOM” or that snake slithering up that naked chick’s torso or the skull and bones looked terrif on their flabby fiftyish bods. Nor a single one touting their terrific tat and drunken determination to git 'er dun.</p>
<p>btw, I’ve an in-law w/ some of the most precise 'toos you’ll ever see. She’s cleaning houses despite a college degree. Now one might wonder … and of course, like it not, many and most do … are the circumstances and decision of the body art connected to the outcome of her career choice? Cause or merely symptom? In any case, not many MDs flashing their 'toos to their patient? Wonder why?</p>
<p>What’s an example of an attractive tattoo? No self-linking please :-). I just have never seen one that I have found attractive. Which is of course my problem and not the wearer’s problem, but nonetheless.</p>
<p>I think you would actually like mine, pizzagirl. It has vivid colors and is a mountain scene with peaks, a sun and river. Colorado. It was custom designed and is about 2" x 2". It is really pretty.</p>